Ikale Tahi Tonga

Head coach Toutai Kefu has named a 32-player squad, with two further players to be added before the tournament.

Tonga have confirmed that the controversial fullback has failed to recover from a knee injury and will miss the tournament alongside Telusa Veainu.

“Isileli Folau (knee) and Telusa Veainu (hamstring) have suffered recurrences of existing injuries and will be unavailable for the tournament,” the union said in a statement.

World Rugby has announced that Moala will have to sit out five matches after being red-carded for a spear tackle in the 'Ikale Tahi's first test match against Canada in Nuku'alofa on August 10.

It comes after England's Owen Farrell had his red card rescinded for a similar offence against Wales leading to anger among many players and commentators.

The disciplinary committee felt the offence warranted a sanction of 10 matches but reduced this to five.

The Manu led by 20 points early in the second half but withstood a determined 'Ikale Tahi comeback to prevail 79-28 on aggregate over two legs, following last weekend's 42-13 victory in Auckland.

With their place in France now confirmed, how is coach Seilala Mapusua feeling?

"The first word that comes to mind is relieved, a little bit of satisfaction and a hint of excitement," he said post match.

Manu Samoa won the first leg 42-13 in Auckland last weekend, with the aggregate winner from the two games sealing their spot in France in 2023.

Tonga only trailed by three points at half-time and prop Ben Tameifuna said they need to sustain their performance over 80 minutes.

"There was some bloody good things that happened last week and it was just towards the end there the boys folded a little bit but this week's just being able to do what we did but for much longer."

The fourth test match between the two nations will be held at Twickenham on 21 November and marks the first time they have faced each other outside of a Rugby World Cup.

The 'Ikale Tahi were beaten 35-3 by Eddie Jones' men in their opening match of the 2019 World Cup in Sapporo, while England also prevailed at the 1999 and 2007 tournaments.

Tonga Rugby Union interim chief executive and vice president Fe'ao Vunipola also happens to be the father of current England internationals Mako and Billy Vunipola.

Piutau, who was celebrating his 34th birthday in his 43rd and final test at his third World Cup, scored a try and kicked the last conversion at Hanazono Rugby Stadium as the Tongans finished off their tournament in style.

Tongan prop Siegfried Fisi'ihoi opened the scoring and centre Malietoa Hingano crossed to give the Pacific islanders the lead around the hour mark, with fullback Telusa Veainu adding the fourth try after the final gong.

The Pacific Islanders have lost to England, Argentina and France at Rugby World Cup 2019 and need to beat the United States in Hanazono on Sunday to avoid finishing bottom of Pool C.

Coach Kefu, pictured above, a World Cup winner with Australia in 1999, had stated that a pass mark would be coming third and, with it, guaranteeing a place at RWC 2023 in France, but Alatini, one of his assistants in Japan, has still been mightily impressed.

Mr Pohiva, who died last Thursday in Auckland, was President of the Tonga Rugby Union at the time of his passing.

World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper offered his condolences to the 'Ikale Tahi team during Tonga's official welcome ceremony in Sapporo on Thursday, just hours after Mr Pohiva's state funeral was held in Nuku'alofa.

"Clearly he will be very sadly missed...there will be a moment's silence before your game on Sunday against England and both myself and the President of World Rugby (Sir Bill Beaumont) will be present to pay our respects."

Playing with freedom against hopelessly outclassed opposition, the world champions flexed their attacking muscles ominously on Saturday, notching their biggest winning margin over any team in more than a decade.

Winger George Bridge bagged four tries while fullback Ben Smith and inside centre Ryan Crotty crossed twice each in what was a glorified training run before leaving for the global tournament in Japan.

The 'Ikale Tahi have never beaten the world champions in five attempts, with an average losing margin of 65-7.

The Kingdom have only managed one win in four tests this year but coach Toutai Kefu is refusing to wave the white flag.

"I still believe that we're a chance of playing well and getting close. People are talking and I hear (us being written off but) the All Blacks are the number one team in the world so we're under no illusions about that but we've still got a chance, regardless of how small that is, so the message has always been to believe."