'Ikale Tahi players in training ahead of the game against Ireland this weekend Photo: Tonga Rugby Union
Tonga's head coach says that when they will meet Ireland in their opening Rugby World Cup match all he will demand from his players is a "whole-hearted performance".
Toutai Kefu is not moving too far ahead of the big challenge the 'Ikale Tahi have, but said they would focus on their games one at a time.
"There's a big responsibility on me to build the energy and have that flow, have it peak at the right time.
"I think Tongan fans demand a whole-hearted performance and a performance they can be proud of and that's certainly aligned with us," he told media in Croissy-sur-Seine, on the outskirts of Paris.
"Our philosophy has always been to treat every game separately so we're throwing everything at this first game and we're hoping for a really, really good performance which I think we can do.
"We're tracking well in terms of how we want to play. It's all about tying up some loose ends in terms of our game plan."
They were sentiments echoed by his captain and veteran halfback Sonatane Takulua, who believes they will need to just work on their own game.
"People are saying we're in a pool of death. Against Ireland we know they are number one in the world, they're a really good team.
"They hold on to the ball for long periods of time. But the thing for us is to slow their ball and momentum down and front up. We saw what Samoa did to them," he said, referring to Manu's 17-13 loss to Ireland in a pre-World Cup Test.
"We work hard on our game plans and I am sure it's going to be a good match."
It will be a daunting task against the world's number one team which began its campaign with a resounding 82-8 victory over Romania at the weekend. Scotland and South Africa are also in the group.
Halaleva Fifita (left) and Paula Koloamatangi at training in France Photo: Tonga Rugby Union
'Best team yet'
Kefu was part of the Australia team that won the 1999 World Cup.
He takes comfort in the fact that his squad has some experienced hands who have also come through the ranks, especially with the All Blacks and Wallabies.
This includes Malakai Fekitoa, George Moala, Pita Ahki and Vaea Fifita.
The inclusion of Moana Pasifika players who have grown through top level competition at the Super Rugby Pacific series in the past two years has given him confidence to say this is the best team he has prepared.
"This is certainly the strongest Tongan team on paper and I certainly think we're good enough to compete. We're talking about the best team in the world here [Ireland]. It could be a game of inches, it might not be," he said.
"I can see in training it's been a quick transition, the way they adjust and react to what we are doing. I think it will help us a lot going into this World Cup."
Sonatane Takulua said the World Rugby player eligibility rule changes has worked well for them.
"With the rule change [regarding eligibility], especially for us islanders Samoa, Fiji and Tonga, we have the best teams ever. Tonga is the best and no disrespect to any players before. With the experience, knowledge and learning they've brought to us it's a big help.
"I can see in training it's been a quick transition, the way they adjust and react to what we are doing. I think it will help us a lot in this World Cup," he added.
Underdogs and happy with that
The skipper admitted they are the underdogs in Pool B, alongside Romania.
"I think they prefer playing with that tag. We try to compare ourselves with those teams not just on the field but off the field," he said.
"Things like resources, time together, money. That motivates us as well.
"Teams like us, how we're thrown together with so little resource even though we have unbelievable players. The whole system isn't built for us to perform well at this level but we'll try and find a way."
Tonga has had a mixed campaign since July.
They lost all their three Pacific Nations Cup matches, to Fiji, Japan and Samoa.
But they managed wins over Australia A and two Test victories over Canada.