World Cup Focus continues its preview of the teams competing in France this year with a look at the Pacific Island of Tonga, a rugby nation with limited resources but no lack of talent and commitment.

TONGA

Pool: A (England, South Africa, USA, Samoa)

World Ranking: 14

Coach: Quddus Fielea

Key players: Aleki Lutui, Nili Latu, Viliami Vaki

Rugby was introduced to the Pacific Island of Tonga in the early 20th century by sailors and missionaries and this led to the formation of the Tonga Rugby Football Union in 1923.

Although Tonga shocked the rugby world by beating Australia 16-11 in Brisbane in 1973, the 'Sea Eagles' were little known by the European rugby powers until Wales toured the Pacific in 1986 and played tests with Tonga, Fiji and Western Samoa.

And Tonga wasted little time introducing the Welsh players to their own particular brand of rugby.

The Tongans may lack discipline and structure, but they are fierce tacklers and when Wales flanker Mike Brown was flattened by three Tongan forwards early in the game, a mass brawl erupted that involved most of the two teams.

The incident prompted Welsh fly-half Jonathan Davies to describe the Tongans as "the dirtiest team I have ever played against".

Invited to compete in the 1987 World Cup, Tonga were unable to record any wins, losing again to Wales (29-16), Ireland (32-9) and Canada (37-4).

Despite the experience of competing in the inaugural event, they failed to qualify for second World Cup four years later.

However, the 1995 tournament brought better luck as they recorded their first World Cup win with a 29-11 victory over Ivory Coast. However, the match was again marred by controversy when Ivory Coast winger Max Brito suffered an injury that left him paralysed.

In June 1999, the Sea Eagles produced what is still the most significant victory in their rugby history, a 20-16 defeat of France in Nuku'alofa, and this allowed them to enter the World Cup later that year with renewed confidence.

They secured only their second World Cup victory when they beat Italy 28-25 at Welford Road to finish third in a difficult group that also included England and New Zealand.

But the following year saw the worst defeat in their rugby when they crashed to a 102-0 drubbing by New Zealand, a defeat that saw them concede 15 tries.

After qualifying for the 2003 World Cup, Tonga were again well beaten by the All Blacks (91-7) and also suffered defeats to Wales, Italy and Canada on their way to finishing last in their group.

A rugby nation with very limited resources, Tonga struggled in this year's Pacific Nations Cup, though they showed promise in a 39-13 loss to the Junior All Blacks before beating close rivals Fiji 21-15.

They qualified for the 2007 World Cup with a two-leg play-off victory over the Cook Islands to claim the third Oceania spot.

But they again face a difficult task and have been drawn in Pool A alongside defending champions England, South Africa and fellow islanders Samoa, all of whom are likely to prove too powerful.

However, with Wellington Hurricanes loose forward Nili Latu, Perpignan flanker Viliami Vaki and Worcester hooker Aleki Lutui, Tonga will fancy their chances of recording their third Cup win when they face the USA in Montpellier.

There is nothing subtle about the Tongan approach to rugby and their no-holds-barred style can be a delight to watch, though their battered and bruised opponents may beg to differ

Rugby World Cup Record

1987: No wins

1991: Did not qualify

1995: One pool win

1999: One pool win

2003: No wins

Pippa Davis / Eurosport