Tonga's round-one meeting with England in Perth will revive memories of their 2017 World Cup semi-final, which England won 20-18.
Captain Jason Taumalolo, 33, is preparing for his fourth and likely final World Cup, aiming to take Tonga beyond that semi-final finish.
Coach Kristian Woolf said, "What I have seen in him this year is a real hunger," after Taumalolo returned to top form.
In 2025, injury limited Taumalolo to 10 North Queensland appearances, followed by minor surgery and a late withdrawal from Tonga's match against Samoa.
He then played against New Zealand in the Pacific Championships, where Tonga suffered heavy defeats to both Samoa and the Kiwis.
This season, Taumalolo played 24 matches and helped the Cowboys reach the finals.
Woolf said Taumalolo had arrived in camp fit, adding, "This year he has come into camp fit and with a real fresh look about him and a hunger in the eyes that suggests he is ready to play a really good tournament."
The Saturday-night match at HBF Park will also feature a centre contest between Tonga's Robert Toia and England's Herbie Farnworth.
Toia's Sydney Roosters beat Farnworth's Dolphins 36-20 in the NRL preliminary final, while Woolf coaches Farnworth at club level.
Taumalolo represented New Zealand in 10 Tests from 2014 to 2017 before switching allegiance to Tonga ahead of the 2017 World Cup.
Alongside former Tonga teammate Andrew Fifita, who switched from Australia, he helped spark a Pacific international rise; Taumalolo has since played 20 Tests for Tonga.
Woolf named Wests Tigers playmaker Latu Fainu to start at five-eighth, with experienced Huddersfield player Tui Lolohea listed at No.18.
"They are both going to play their part at various times," Woolf said.