The former Munster fly-half looking to mastermind a shock win over Ireland

Adam Kyriacou
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Tonga assistant coach Tyler Bleyendaal when at Munster.

Tonga assistant coach Tyler Bleyendaal when at Munster.

Former Munster fly-half Tyler Bleyendaal has warned Ireland that his Tonga side are looking to “really fire some shots” at the World Cup ahead of their first match.

The Pacific Islanders will make their 2023 tournament bow on Saturday when they take on the world’s number one ranked side in Nantes in what should be a thriller.

Bleyendaal, who made his name at the Crusaders in New Zealand before impressing at Munster, is now an assistant coach for Tonga as they enter the ‘Pool of Death’.

Well-oiled machine

The fixture at Stade de la Beaujoire will be their first of the campaign and it won’t get much tougher than facing an impressive Ireland side, says coach Bleyendaal.

“One of the big challenges is how together they are, they’ve played a lot of time together and they’re a pretty well-oiled machine, number one in the world,” said the 33-year-old.

“We’re going to have to be quite physical, we’re going to have to win the breakdown battle, the tackle battle and have a really strong set-piece.

“That’s the foundation of our game and that’s what we’re going to have to do on the weekend.”

As mentioned, it will be an incredibly difficult pool for ‘Ikale Tahi after facing Ireland they will take on Scotland and then South Africa before facing minnows Romania.

“The reality is they’re much better, more complete teams than us because they’re playing at a higher level of competition more often,” continued Bleyendaal.

Fire some shots

“That doesn’t change our ambition, our preparation, we’re here to really fire some shots and try and knock over all of the teams in our pool.

“That’s our attitude but we’re not delusional to the challenge we face, that’s for sure. We’re excited for the challenge.”

There will be plenty of familiar faces in the Tonga side, with Charles Piutau, Malakai Fekitoa, Pita Ahki, Solomone Kata and Augustine Pulu in their backline.

The 151kg prop Ben Tameifuna skippers the ‘Ikale Tahi and behind him are Scarlets duo Sam Lousi and the excellent Vaea Fifita, who starts at number eight.

READ MORE: Ireland v Tonga preview: Andy Farrell’s side to charge to second World Cup win

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