Confident but not arrogant: How far can Tonga go?

Tonga has delivered a statement win to begin their Rugby League World Cup campaign, defeating England 30-12 at HBF Park in Perth on Saturday night.

And with Mate Ma'a Tonga fans starting to dream about equalling their best-ever finish, Will Hopoate believes Kristian Woolf’s men are quietly confident about their chances.

With a strong forward pack led by Addin Fonua-Blake and Jason Taumalolo alongside some quality backs with Robert Toia and Isaiya Katoa, the well-publicised talent in this side showed their capabilities in defence and attack, with the 14-time representative for Tonga noting it was one of their best wins in the nation’s history.

“Well, that's right up there,” Hopoate said on SEN’s Front Office with Vossy.

“Obviously England's one of the best nations in the world, and to produce the way that they did on Saturday, it's definitely right up there.

“I feel like this group is probably the most talented squad that we've assembled.

“But they know that talent doesn't win games; it's hard work. I thought they did that on Saturday, so they've all said that it's a good start, but still a long way to go in this campaign.”

The win on Saturday serves as some revenge for the nation having been defeated by the Three Lions in the 2017 RLWC semi-final and their first win over the World No.3s

It also puts the World No.5s on track for a top two finish in the combined Pool B & C ladder, which would see them progress into the final four.

But whilst the outside back notes the gravity of beating England and what boost it will provide the group, they need to ensure they don’t get complacent in their next two matches against Lebanon and Samoa.

“Well, I suppose that the boys are quietly confident within themselves,” he continued.

“They understand that, yes, England's a big scalp that they took off on Saturday. But, if they lose these next two, then what was the point of it?

“So, they're confident, but they're at the same time not arrogant.

“They know there's still plenty of work to do, and I'm sure Wolfie (Kristian Woolf) will show that in review in the coming days.”

Tonga will kick off the action in Week 2 when they face Lebanon on Friday at CommBank Stadium. Kick-off takes place at 8:05pm AEDT.