TONGA are desperate men and we've got to match that desperation, says Wales coach Steve Hansen about Sunday's crucial World Cup clash in Canberra.

He warns his players that they must not allow the Tongans time and space or they will be in trouble, and he has also fired a warning shot across the bows of his pack.

"Tonga are going to have to be really on the edge and we need to match their desperation with our own sense of urgency," said Hansen.

"We can't allow them time and space, we have to take that away from them, and it all starts up front.

"I'm happy with the five points we've got, but we've still got to look to improve and do it under pressure during the game. We've got to make sure we get the job done. If we want to be successful we have got to win three games in a row."

But Hansen remains upbeat about the progress his squad is making, and he warned the opposition: "The best is yet to come. It is the pinnacle for everyone to go to the World Cup, it s the biggest tournament and it would be a shame if we didn't reach the quarter-finals.

"We've won a few games in a row now and success breeds success. I enjoy being with the boys all the time, we have fun without being silly and we're growing all the time.

"Now we will be without the anxiety of not having played while we want to cut the errors out and be more direct with our finishing.

"We will focus in on one game at a time and we'll look at Italy next week, but as a coach you have to look ahead to the Six Nations and even next summer's tour.

"But it's Tonga next and we must try to gauge what kind of game they will play and their patterns. But we know they will play aggressively with or without the ball."

Hansen is pleased with the depth he has, with plenty of competition in certain positions, and he's even satisfied with the decision to leave a couple of top youngsters behind in Wales.

"We've got depth with our centres and halves," he said. "And Mike Phillips and Gavin Henson are playing well at home which vindicates the decision to leave them behind. They could have come here and sat on the bench, but now they will grow."