PREPARE for fireworks on Tuesday as Tonga take on rivals Cook Islands in the 14th game of the Rugby League World Cup - and it's do or die for both nations!

A loss for either side will end their hopes of reaching the quarter finals, as would a draw, so the result is crucial to a Group C currently headed by Italy and Scotland.

Around 10,000 tickets have been sold already for Tuesday's eagerly anticipated encounter, and the Leigh Sports Village is on course for a sell out!

This spectacle is very highly anticipated, with both teams not only playing exciting, expansive rugby, but also having their own version of the haka.

Some of rugby league’s most explosive talent will be  on display.

Tonga named Brent Kite as their captain and he put in a strong if unsuccessful performance for Manly Sea Eagles in the NRL Grand Final against Sydney Roosters last month.

However, there was a Tongan flavour to the Roosters success in the shape of Daniel Tupou.

And with Samisoni Langi and Fuifui Moimoi also in the squad, some of NRL’s finest players are involved.

Meanwhile, coach Charles Tonga also has at his disposal Ukuma Ta’ai (Huddersfield), Mickey Paea (Hull KR) and Willie Manu (St Helens) from Super League.