TONGA are a genuine threat to Australia’s reign as Rugby League World Cup champions, Kangaroos star Michael Morgan has declared.

The tier-two nation last week proved why they are the tournament darkhorses with a historic triumph over New Zealand, flipping the knockout draw on its head.

And the Australians have taken notice, with Morgan adamant Tonga are a huge chance of continuing their unbeaten run and qualifying for their first World Cup final.

“I haven’t watched too much of any of the games really, just the timing of it all. (But) that’s one game I watched,” Morgan said.

“That’s the only game I’ve watched pretty much the whole game.”

Mate Ma’a meet Lebanon in their quarter-final on Saturday before a final-four clash against either England or Fiji in Auckland.

“They’ve always been in the past a team that have just relied on their go-forward and didn’t have as much structure,” Morgan said.

“But the way they played the other day, they could score some points.”

Morgan believes Tonga have moved away from their reliance on individual power.

“It wasn’t just one-out footy. They were playing pretty expansive and they’ve still got the power game there as well,” he said.

“Defensively, they’ve always been a tough team to try and contain and they’ve still got that along with a bit more open-style of footy.”

A major factor in Tonga’s rise has been Morgan’s North Queensland teammate Jason Taumalolo.

Morgan said he texted Taumalolo after seeing the emotion in his clubmate following the win over the Kiwis.

“I sent him a message, said congratulations and that I was happy for him,” Morgan said.

“You saw him after the game, I’ve never seen him that emotional after a game before.

“I’ve played in some pretty big games with him at club level, but to see the way he was and how much it meant to him after that game shows right there the reason he chose to play for Tonga.”

Morgan will have a battle of his own on Friday when he will look to justify his selection at five-eighth in their quarter-final against Samoa. Morgan pipped Cameron Munster, who scored four tries in the Kangaroos’ past two games.

“I wouldn’t have been surprised if I’d missed out because there’s some very good players that are there,” he said.

“It could’ve been anyone’s because James (Maloney) had a good game the other night as well.

“He set up a few tries and I think he got one of his own as well. Everyone’s playing well.”

Click on the image below for an in-depth look at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup fixtures and results!