PNC 2011 -Tough and humble, Tonga are a genuine threat.

Ikale Tahi is what they are known as in their home country, we know them as team Tonga. With a population of just a little over 100, 000 the Kingdom of Tonga doesn’t have the biggest pond to pluck players from but the potency of the Tongan blooded players is massive and many of them have graced international teams across the world.

The Tongans are genetically blessed with body size and sheer power, these tattooed monsters are made for combat, as if the sport of rugby was indeed made for them. In past seasons of the PNC they have pulled out the odd big game, but still finishing somewhere in the cellar - until now. Defeating Fiji in the opening encounter they have put a new slant on their prospects for the PNC and prized Rugby World Cup.

Head coach Isitola Maka is a known legend in Tonga and New Zealand for his All Black feats. His no nonsense approach on the field as a player has been applied to his coaching, his men know he is hard but they also know anything he asks of them; he would gladly have done himself as a player. This steel like demeanour creates a buzz at trainings and each man mountain is fully alert and committed.

As if one rugby icon in your coaching staff wasn’t enough, this young squad also has another; former Wallaby Toutai Kefu is at their disposal as assistant coach. With literally a tonne of “been there done that” experience to draw on things are suddenly looking up for the Polynesians.

In Fiji’s sugar city- Lautoka, the team had a brisk training session. There is a lot of talk on the field that the team is in sync and have on fire with the ball in hand. The coaches and team are feeling good, they are happy with the first win but they are equally happy to keep applying the hard grafting to get better and stay grounded. Positiveness is all around them and so is a sense of calm.

They know they are tough, they know they can match people up front and they know people fear them. But witnessing them in action it is easy to see that mental mastery is also at play, something that they have lacked in the past but now seem to be manipulating rapidly and well.

Their war dance is the Sipi Tau and more than ever they are laying down a mighty challenge. First in the firing line is Japan, to make things even more tantilising is the fact that it is a RWC preview.

Starting at Suva National Stadium against Japan tomorrow is the showdown, on the line is a huge dose of belief for the triumphant side.