KEY POINTS:
A Pacific Islands team in the quarter-finals of rugby's World Cup? Nothing new there.
The Samoans made it in 1991, 1995 and in 1999 got to the first knockout stage of a peculiarly planned tournament. Old hat for them, although this campaign's been a disaster.
But what about
two of them?
Fiji have been there before, in 1987, but a win over Wales in Nantes early on Sunday and they're in business.
And what of Tonga? Never been close, as a record of 13 cup games before coming to France, for two wins and 11 defeats spells out in capital letters.
Those wins? Over the Ivory Coast in 1995 and Italy four years later.
So that gives a sense of what is at stake in Paris tomorrow morning when Tonga aim to deliver their biggest strike to one of rugby's elite, as they meet England with all the marbles at stake.
They almost pulled off the greatest cup upset of them all against the Springboks in Lens last weekend, one wonky bounce of the ball in the final moment possibly denying them a win which would have been part of everlasting Tongan folklore.
And now they get another chance against England. The winner goes to Marseille for a quarter-final against Australia. The loser heads for the hills.
So how have Tonga "done a Samoa?"
For a start they have retained a high level of discipline, Hale T-Pole's red card against Samoa late in the 19-15 win which set up this scenario notwithstanding.
They have defended like demons and attacked with a mix of flair and plain hard running, organised round first five-eighth Pierre Hola. His right leg might not be much use other than for running on, but his left has worked a treat for the Tongans.
And the bloke calling the shots? Former Sacred Heart pupil, New Zealand Secondary Schools representative and Bay of Plenty tearaway Nili Latu.
There are those who've been round the domestic rugby scene in New Zealand a while now who might raise an eyebrow at the idea of Latu the leader, the calm head at the front of the class.
During his days at Bay of Plenty he was never slow to put himself about, but while not in the Richie McCaw/Marty Holah class of No 7s, he was no slouch.
Latu made a mess of the Lions' opening game at Rotorua in 2005 by, well, putting himself about. They didn't like what was happening at the breakdown. Latu's view? Tough.
He's not afraid to give the laws a nudge if required, or as he put it at the time: "that's part of the game. You've got to cheat." Any No 7 worth his salt would, if more quietly, concur.
So where would this chap rate among your openside flankers, came the question from the British journalists afterwards. He'd have been about No 6 in the pecking order, with, in no particular order, McCaw, Holah, Josh Blackie, Daniel Braid and probably Ben Herring, possibly Johnny Leo'o, in front.
Cue shaking of heads and a "where do you grow these blokes" response.
After two seasons of Super 12 rugby with the Chiefs and a season as a draft pick at the Hurricanes, Latu headed for Japan this year.
He's only 25, he's coming into his best years, and it's showing in France. This is his second year playing for his country. The speed with which he has risen to the captaincy tells plenty about his standing.
Bay of Plenty will miss him. He had four years and 42 games with the province. As his captain, Ben Castle, said at the time of his departure, "he's been outstanding. He's got a cult following throughout New Zealand - and he's mad".
A 1.85m, 99kg, gleaming-headed barrel of muscle.
With fluffy-headed No 8 Finau Maka - the former Blues man now long domiciled in France - as his lieutenant, Latu is on the brink of a remarkable achievement.
If he had one wish it would be for his dodgy hamstring, tweaked in the warmup to the South African game, to hold up another few days.
"Oh, I'll be ready. I have to be," he said. "It's the biggest game in our history. We have had three great weeks, but we don't want to lose now. We have set a benchmark for ourselves and I expect our boys to step up.
"We need to stand up and be counted, or we'll get left behind. Our destiny is in our own hands. No one can help us but God."
So how does Latu describe his leadership style? He's no autocrat, but equally he appreciates what he has picked up over the years must be passed onto those less experienced.
"I'm easy going. I see myself as one of the boys. I'm not the type of captain that tells them what to do all of the time."
He is emphatic this is the best team Tonga has produced, with a large proportion playing in Britain and France, which is a decent learning academy.
"We haven't got the greatest facilities or equipment in Tonga but we've shown here that you don't always need that. We're a tight group and we respect each other."
Maka was asked how he felt about what lay ahead tomorrow.
"Friday is Judgment Day," he said.
Judgment Day? God on their side? Amen to that.
