Ireland vs Tonga Predictions - Tonga can give Ireland a run for their money

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 13 Sep 2023

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Ralph Staniforth 13 Sep 2023

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Get tips for the Ireland vs Tonga Rugby World Cup clash on Saturday (21:00 SAST)
Ireland have won all 9 games in 2023
Can Tonga cause the first major upset of the tournament?

Expired

Ireland set to struggle against physical Tonga (Getty Images)

Ireland vs Tonga Preview

Ireland will over 80 minutes prove to be too good, but much depends on which Tonga pitches up. Tonga are a physical side and have some players of the highest quality so I don’t expect Ireland to walk over them, especially not in the Irish rest players.

Ireland vs Tonga Preview
Head to Head
Ireland Form
Ireland Injuries & News
Tonga Form
Tonga Injuries & News

My best bet is for Tonga to comfortably get within the 33-point handicap.

Ireland are set to rest a few key players for this match.
Ireland have won their last 9 matches in 2023.
Tonga won their last 2 matches.

Head to Head

Ireland have beaten Tonga in both their previous matches, but neither was won by more than 21 points. However, they have not played since 2003.

Ireland Form

Ireland are ranked world No.1 at the moment and their form has been outstanding over the last few years. They are also the 2023 Six Nations champions.

In their World Cup opener, Ireland annihilated Romania 82-8 as they ran in tries at will, particularly towards the end of the match. However, while they are comfortable favourites, Tonga will be a completely different prospect.

After fielding a near full-strength side against Romania, Ireland will want to rest some key players. One must remember that they play South Africa and Scotland in their next two games.

But Ireland only narrowly beat Samoa in a warm-up game at home just before the World Cup. That was also with an understrength side.

Ireland Injuries & News

Ireland may look to rest all their key players with South Africa and Scotland to come.

Tonga Form

During the warm-up matches for the World Cup Tonga lost three of their five games. They lost to Fiji, Samoa and Japan, but then beat Canada twice at home in their final two games.

Not much can be read into all the warm-up games, but Tonga will be concerned with some performances. That said, the Tongans have a side with some big names, and they will want to be competitive against the Irish.

Tonga Injuries & News

Tonga will field a full-strength side for their World Cup opener.

Verdict

Ireland v Tonga

Tonga are backed to get within the 33-point handicap.

Tonga +35

Handicap

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