New Zealand vs Tonga - Match Preview

The All Blacks play their fourth and final pool game without having been in danger of defeat in their first three games and assured of playing a quarter-final next weekend. Yet they are under close scrutiny because they have not matched the standards of near perfection expected of the world’s number one team.

Their skills level has been less than exemplary. Handling has been mediocre, scrummaging and goal-kicking erratic, they’ve lost ball in contact, their backs have struggled against rush defence and ‘shooters’ have upset their attacking rhythm. Attacking cohesion, especially when trying to play at high tempo, has been poor. They should beat Tonga comfortably, but their main goal will not be mere victory but far greater accuracy in the execution of their game-plan.

Having beaten Namibia but losing to Georgia and Argentina, Tonga need to beat the All Blacks to end third in their pool – a herculean task. The difference between third and fourth is massive, since third place means automatic qualification for RWC 2019 while finishing fourth means taking part in the global qualification process. Barring a miracle, Tonga look headed for the extended process.

Key players:
For the All Blacks, Ma’a Nonu, playing his 100^th Test and wanting to show he deserves selection as first-choice 12 ahead of Sonny Bill Williams, Dan Carter, trying to recapture the magic eluding him thus far in 2015, and two of the most exciting attacking players at the tournament, wings Waisake Naholo and Nehe Milner-Skudder. For Tonga, their 8 and 9, each making their fourth consecutive start in the tournament, Viliami Ma’afu and Sonatane Takulua are crucial to team performance, as is outside centre Siale Piutau.

The big match-ups:
At hooker, Elvis Taione, who has played Super Rugby for the Western Force and Waratahs, comes up against Dane Coles. At 9, Takulua vs Aaron Smith. At openside, Tonga captain Nili Latu vs Sam Cane, New Zealand’s apparent to Richie McCaw’s hallowed throne.