Melbourne Rebel Cooper Vuna and NSW Waratah Sitaleki Timani are two of the players selected in Tonga's initial 50-man squad for the rugby World Cup.

Coach Isitolo Maka named the pair in the squad, which will be pared down to 30 later in the season.

Maka will also choose Churchill Cup and Pacific Nations Cup teams from the group before finalising his squad for the World Cup in New Zealand in September and October.

Former NRL player Vuna and second-rower Timani are two of several overseas-based players in the squad with players from New Zealand, England, Ireland and France all named.

Tonga will play New Zealand in the opening match of the World Cup at Auckland on September 9.

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