New Zealand coach Dave Rennie has decided against using his real heavyweights for the opening game against Tonga (Friday, 5pm). However, with Ash Dixon, Paea Fa'anunu and Toby Smith collectively tipping the scales at a considerable 350kilos, tonight's opponents Tonga can be sure of a physical introduction to the JWC.

Friday 6 June, Cardiff Arms Park
5pm New Zealand v Tonga
7pm Ireland v Argentina

What's more, come Tuesday night, when Ireland come face to face with the pre-tournament favourites, it is highly likely that Rennie will wheel out 137 kilogramme tight head Ben Afeaki and 130 kilogramme loose head Rodney Ah You.

Work it out for yourself. With hooker Quentin Macdonald (100kg) as the meat in the sandwich, that's close on 60 stones of front row forward coming at you. Ouch!

Rennie, who led his side to last year's Under 19 World Championship in Belfast, said, "There are some big guys in the squad, but they are very talented too.

"They have worked hard for their clubs and some of them in the Air New Zealand Cup and even the Super 14s this season. Yet they come here fresh and will be looking to emulate the success of the under 19s last summer."

Amongst the names to look out for over the coming weeks are Crusaders' trio Sean Maitland, Masi Manu and Kade Poki - all of whom featured in the Super 14 final success against New South Wales Warratahs last weekend and Zach Guildford, who became the youngest player to pull on a senior Hurricanes jersey when he featured for the Wellington based province last year.

It adds up to a formidable unit and one which will certainly test the other three nations in the pool - Tonga, Argentina and Ireland, who are led by the outstanding young wing from Blackrock, Paul Ryan.

A Leinsterman with pace to burn and plenty of experience too, Ryan said; "We couldn't have been dealt a much tougher hand in terms of our pool, but we have prepared well and feel in good shape going into our first game.

"As long as we achieve our potential and perform to the best of our ability, I can't ask for anymore from the boys."

Opening up against the Pumas, Ireland will hope to go one better than their under 21 side did at the World Championship in Clermont Ferrand two years ago when, despite putting up a brave show and out-thinking their opponents for much of the game, the brute strength of the Pumas earned them a 26-22 victory.

It promises to be another bruising battle, although a decent Six Nations campaign in which they might have finished higher than fourth had they have enjoyed the rub of the green against Wales, should hold them in good stead.

Tickets are available from the Arms Park until kick-off.

Other Pool A matches:

Tuesday June 10
7pm Argentina v Tonga
9.10pm New Zealand v Ireland

Saturday June 14
3pm Ireland v Tonga
5pm New Zealand v Argentina