Tonga’s flickering World Cup quarterfinal hopes lit up while Japan’s were virtually snuffed out in a 31-18 victory by the South Seas side at Northland Events Centre yesterday.

Tonga was thought to be out for the count after being run over by New Zealand and caught from behind by Canada. But Tonga’s eight changes came up trumps for coach Isitolo Maka, who drummed into his side that they could beat Japan for the first time in five years.

“We played them last year and this year and lost to them in the (Pacific Nations Cup) but I told the boys nothing would be better than beating them in the World Cup,” Maka said.

Between Tonga and the quarterfinals, however, stands France. But with 10 days to prepare, Tonga will go in fresh and fearless.

“We’re back in the hunt,” Maka said. “The win tonight has lifted every single one of us and we’re looking forward to France next week.”

Japan coach John Kirwan stated after enduring losses to their pool’s biggest teams France and New Zealand, that Japan’s World Cup was starting now. But Tonga virutally ended it, and extended Japan’s winless string in the World Cup to 17 matches dating 20 years.

Tonga also gave Canada a chance to claim the priceless third spot in Pool A, which automatically qualifies a team for the 2015 World Cup in England. Canada, a one-time quarterfinalist 20 years ago, could secure third in the pool when it meets Japan in Napier.

One of the biggest and heaviest sides in the tournament, Tonga used that advantage to dominate the lighter Japanese at the breakdowns, stealing a decisive nine turnovers and giving away none. Kurt Morath, the New Zealand-born, Sydney-based flyhalf, provided the difference on the scoreboard by knocking over six goalkicks from seven attempts.

His opposite, James Arlidge, one of the stars when Japan gave France a scare on the opening weekend, failed to convert any of Japan’s three tries.

The exciting back-and-forth first half finished with Tonga 18-13 ahead, then Tonga added a Morath penalty and a try by Fetu’u Vainikolo to put enough of a gap on Japan that the pressure and Tonga’s defense were too much to overcome.

Today, defending champion South Africa faces northern neighbour Namibia for only the second time ever. The first match was four years ago with the Springboks winning 105-13 in Cape Town against the plucky Namibians. Nobody would be surprised if the Boks produced a similar scoreline in North Harbour Stadium. Namibia is still seeking its first World Cup win at its fourth tournament.

For tomorrow’s match in Wellington, Australia and the United States made wholesale changes.

The Wallabies swapped eight out of the team which was upset by Ireland, six of them in the pack, including picking an all-new trio of loosies. Scrumhalf Will Genia was given the captaincy for the first time and inside center Rob Horne will play his first test in more than a year.

The US appear to have conceded the match to save its best players for its last Pool C match against Italy, and a chance to finish third in the pool and automatically qualify for the 2015 World Cup in England.

Eagles coach Eddie O’Sullivan said there was “no question” he was expecting a backlash from Australia for its loss to Ireland.

Meanwhile, France players came to the defence of their coach, Marc Lievremont, who has been receiving flak from the New Zealand media and former Les Bleus such as Pierre Berbizier, Denis Charvet, and Serge Simon for the team he named to face the All Blacks this weekend.

France’s famous upset wins over New Zealand in the 1999 and 2007 World Cups has elevated the match to the biggest in the pool round, but Lievremont’s decision to experiment with scrumhalf Morgan Parra at flyhalf and leave his best forward, hooker William Servat, in the reserves has made the media suspect the coach is willing to lose the match to ease France’s path in the playoffs.

His players ridiculed the suspicions.

“When you’re got the blue jersey on your shoulders, you never squander a match,” lock Pascal Pape said. “It’s in no way a farce. They should leave us alone and we’ll see on Saturday.”

Imanol Harinordoquy, a first-choice loosie who is on the bench, said “They’re trying to light the fuse but the wood is damp. It won’t catch,” he said. “I feel like telling them that I’ve bought four (tickets) at 250 euros each, and I’m not complaining.”

The All Blacks will name their side today, when captain Richie McCaw and Dan Carter are expected to be recalled after injuries.