In World Cups of various codes there are often "groups of death" but the clash in Perth on Saturday night has a "game of death" feel about it.
The two sides are in separate pools of three and will be part of what is a virtual "super six" where the top two teams from their pools will go through to the semi-finals.
Tonga plays England, Lebanon and Samoa in the three games while England lines up against Tonga, PNG and France.
For and against will be used to rank the teams but if they are on the same points they will be split on a head-to-head basis. If England and Tonga were to finish in equal second on four points each for argument's sake then the winner of the clash in Perth would knock the loser out.
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf has named Manly outside back Lehi Hopoate at fullback, Wests Tigers playmaker Latu Fainu at No.6 and North Queensland rake Soni Luke at No.9 alongside Dolphins star half Isaiya Katoa.
The coach has kept Huddersfield five-eighth Tui Lolohea, veteran of 20 Tonga Test matches, at No.18 on an extended bench.
Woolf has been known to make late switches with his Dolphins teams in the NRL but at this stage Fainu, who has played just one Test in 2023, has the starting No.6 gig.
The powerful bench includes Warriors weapons Leka Halasima and Demitric Vaimauga, Melbourne prop Stefano Utoikamanu and rising Sydney Roosters star Salesi Foketi.
Foketi joins fellow Roosters grand final heroes Robert Toia (centre) and Siua Wong (second-row) in the team.
"Salesi has played for a Tonga B side but he hasn't played for Tonga before," Woolf told AAP.
"We need some young guys who are on the up and bring that enthusiasm and those three have that hunger and athleticism that comes with young players.
"They have had outstanding seasons and they were great in the grand final."
Woolf said he was looking forward to injecting Halasima and Vaimauga for impact.
"Both those Warriors guys are better after an extra year of experience and the confidence that comes with that," Woolf said
"That is certainly the case with Leka. Whether he is at centre or back-row he can make a real impact. We will figure out where we think he can make the biggest impact."
Woolf said Fainu was "an exciting young half on the up" but did not discount utilising Lolohea in the tournament.
"Tui has always done the job for us before," he said.
"You go back to games where we have beaten New Zealand, Australia and Great Britain and it is no coincidence that Tui has been a part of all those wins.
"He has the experience and know how to get it done.
"This will be his third World Cup so that will be invaluable for us."
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