The Tongan squad confirmed yesterday for the tournament in France features some familiar faces.
Malakai Fekitoa, still just 31, will anchor the midfield for the ‘Ikale Tahi eight years after helping the All Blacks to World Cup glory in England.
Fekitoa played 66 games for the Highlanders, scoring 20 tries in 43 wins and playing a key role in the 2015 championship season, and 24 tests for the All Blacks before heading to Toulon, Wasps and Munster.
He helped the Irish club win the United Rugby Championship earlier this year, and has signed for Italian club Benetton next season.
Burly prop Tau Koloamatangi is also heading to France with the Tongan squad.
Auckland-born Koloamatangi has been restricted to 15 games for Otago over three years but has gone through two Super Rugby campaigns with Moana Pasifika.
As well as Fekitoa, the Tongan squad has former All Blacks Charles Piutau, Augustine Pulu, Vaea Fifita and George Moala.
Moala is set to miss the first two World Cup games because of a five-game suspension following a tip tackle against Canada on August 10. He has appealed that suspension and the hearing is on Friday.
Winger-fullback Telusa Veainu, who was with the Highlanders in 2011-12 and is now based in France, missed selection due to injury.
Former Wallabies fullback Israel Folau missed out with a knee injury, but coach Toutai Kefu has called up lock Adam Coleman, who played 32 tests for Australia before serving his international stand-down period and qualifying for Tonga through his father, former Tongan captain Pau’u Afeaki.
