Tonga has had a setback in the buildup to their winner-take-all Rugby World Cup game with England losing lock Paino Hehea with a shoulder injury.

The Metro Racing backrower suffered a small fracture in a shoulder and was ruled out Monday for four weeks.

The Tongans, who pushed South Africa all the way in going down 30-25 in Lens last Saturday, have called up Maama Molitika as his replacement.

"He can play any position in the back row. Lock is his specialist position. He's a good player, very mobile, good in defence," coach Quddus Fielea said Monday.

The Tongans were still coming to terms with how close they came to bringing off one of the upsets of the tournament against the Springboks.

"We had a bad feeling because we could have won the game," Fielea said.

"We made some mistakes and could have scored tries at crucial times. But other than that it was an awesome feeling."

"It is a good thing. Teams are starting to realise that South Africa can be beaten. It has given everyone hope."

Fielea said of his tournament surprises should they reach the quarter-finals at the expense of holders England:"I think it would make the World Cup even more interesting if Tonga got to the last eight.

"At our first press conference, I said we were looking to get to the quarter-finals.

"I could see people looking at me thinking I was crazy. Now we are one game away from getting there. People need to say sorry."

Prop Soane Tonga'uiha said Tonga have received so much praise for their game performance that it was akin to beating the tournament heavyweights.

"There has been so much praise heaped on us after Saturday's game. What would it be like if we had won?" he said.

Looking ahead to the showdown with England the Northampton Saints front-rower said:"It will be quite weird I suppose. I play these players every week. I know them."

AFP