Hello and welcome to
Sports Mole's live text coverage of the
Rugby World Cup clash between
New Zealand and
Tonga at St James' Park. The reigning world champions are looking to secure top spot with a fourth win on the bounce here this evening, while their opponents still have an outside chance of progressing.
In order to put the pressure on Argentina in second place, the White Dove will need to see off the All Blacks in the North East - something which has happened just three times since the last World Cup finals. That's right, this New Zealand side simply do not lose games, even when ringing the changes.
Speaking of which, let's check out some team news from Newcastle with kickoff now less than 30 minutes away...
TEAM NEWS!NEW ZEALAND XV: Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Waisake Naholo; Daniel Carter, Aaron Smith; Tony Woodcock, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Kieran Read
TONGA XV: Vungakoto Lilo, Telusa Veainu, Siale Piutau, Latiume Fosita, Fetu'u Vainikolo; Kurt Morath, Sonatane Takulua; Soane Tonga'uiha, Elvis Taione, Halani Aulika, Tukulua Lokotui, Joseph Tuineau, Sione Kalamafoni, Nili Latu, Viliami Ma'afu
Six changes in all for New Zealand, then, as they aim to pick up the solitary point needed to secure top spot in Pool C. The biggest absentee is skipper Richie McCaw, who is being rested up this evening after complaining of some soreness. Keiran Read takes over the captain's armband in his absence, while
Ma'a Nonu will feature at inside-centre where he will win his 100th Test cap.
In terms of Tonga, it is just the one change for them on the back of last week's defeat against Argentina.
Kurt Morath will reach the milestone of 30 caps for his country this evening, and requires just 13 points to join Mike Hercus in joint-fourth place in the all-time Tier Two nation scorers at this showpiece competition.
Well with this being the final set of pool-phase fixtures, the picture in Pool C will look a little more clearer come 10pm this evening. New Zealand are already through, but they are as of yet unsure whether they will meet France or Ireland in the final eight. That will all come down to the showdown between the two European sides in Cardiff on Sunday, but in the meantime the Kiwis must simply focus on getting the job done in an efficient manner at St James' Park.
Sports Mole's Pascal Lemesre is in prime position for us this evening, providing regular updates throughout:
Tonga have the small task of overcoming the world's best side if they are to avoid packing their bags and heading home. Victory over Namibia has given the Pacific Islanders just a glimmer of hope, but defeats against Georgia and most recently Argentina in their other two fixtures to date leaves them with it all to do now.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! These two sides have met on three previous occasions at the
Rugby World Cup - 1999, 2003 and 2011. Perhaps unsurprisingly, New Zealand won all three of those meetings, with the last fixture at the opening game of the previous World Cup ending 41-10. It is fair to say that the All Black certainly did not look back from that point on.
Let's check in with Pascal Lemesre for the first time, who is inside St James' Park for us this evening:"The match will of course be brilliant to watch under the lights at St James', but I have to say that I'm looking forward to the dance-off beforehand as the Haka goes up against the Sipi Tau. New Zealand are off course heavy favourites and it wouldn't be surprising to see them do better than the 41-10 scoreline when the two teams last met in Auckland in 2011."
Elsewhere in this group over the course of the weekend, Argentina take on Namibia knowing that they are strong favourites to join the Kiwis in the quarter-finals. All Tonga can do is look to pull off what would surely eclipse Japan's recent victory over South Africa as this great tournament's finest ever upset.
DID YOU KNOW? Tonga coach
Mana Otai won five caps for the Pacific Islanders as a No.8, but actually played as a prop for a New Zealand XV against Romania and Russia in 1991.
Incidentally, New Zealand's previous victories so far in this year's competition came against Argentina (26-16), Namibia (58-14) and Georgia (43-10). It has certainly been efficient from the All Blacks, who are simply doing all that needs to be done at this stage. They are strong favourites to make it four from four this evening, as the teams make their way out of the tunnel.
The anthems have been belted out around this footballing cathedral and now, as Pascal pointed to a little earlier, we are treated to a special pre-match ritual from both sides. New Zealand will perform the Haka, while Tonga's Sipi Tau will also be on show - something which has caused a bit of controversy in the past.
Right, the pre-match rituals are over and done with, so now let's get on to the main course. Kickoff in the North East is just moments away.
KICKOFF! We are underway on this final weekend of pool action at the Rugby World Cup, with Tonga looking to take the game to their opponents from the off.
A very good start from Tonga this, just like they promised in the build-up. Vainikolo slipped away and very nearly found a gap to charge through, but he was brought down 25 metres from the sticks.
Some more thoughts from Pascal Lemesre, who is in prime position to watch over the action:"Just what the neutrals inside St James' wanted as Tonga make a really positive start. Unfortunately they can't maintain the pressure and give away a penalty to allow the All Blacks to alleviate the pressure. Let's hope we see more Tongan breaks like that throughout."
Carter is clattered by Ma'afu after diving on a grubber, in what is expected to be the first of many big hits. Vainikolo is proving a threat in these early stages, once more sprinting 30 metres before the Pacific Islanders concede a penalty.
A man over for New Zealand as they look to get a grip on things, but Dane Coles fails to get away from his man. Evenly-matched start to the contest so far.
Tonga isolate the ball carrier which draws the penalty, allowing us to check out the strength of both sides' rucks. The momentum has slowed down over the past few minutes, but Tonga will be more than happy with their work thus far.
Tonga stand firm and win a penalty of their own, which relieves some of the pressure that may have been building. New Zealand have yet to give us a full 80-minute performance at this tournament, and it appears to be another slow start of sorts.
CONVERTED TRY! NEW ZEALAND 7-0 TONGA (BEN SMITH)A very well-worked try from the Kiwis, who find their groove at last. It was a case of keep ball from the world champs as they worked the ball over to the far right, where Ben Smith slid over with ease in the end. No mistake from the conversion to put some more points on the board.
Pascal Lemesre's views on that opening try of the match, which came via Ben Smith:"Lineouts are one facet of the game where you can really tell the difference between the best and middle-tier teams and that has been evident so far. Tonga did well to win the penalty in the scrum, but then a botched lineout gave New Zealand the ball and their quick hands on the right made the Ikale Tahi pay."
It is vital that Tonga remain composed now after that setback, coming after a rather tentative start from the world's number one side. Ma'afu puts in another strong hit to set the tone, but New Zealand are looking far better now.
Make that a try in their last 23 games. The loser of Sunday's France and Ireland clash await the Kiwis in the last eight, remember...
A knock-on from Nonu, winning his 100th cap here today, helps break up play just a little more. A very good atmosphere building around this famous ground, yet New Zealand are struggling to break their opponents down.
Woodcock has to receive some treatment, as Tonga make some steady progress forward. They make it through 13 phases before being held up with the try-line agonisingly close. A penalty advantage was awarded in the end, so this is certainly a positive spell for the Tongans.
A little more from Pascal Lemesre, as Tonga kick for the sticks:"I've seen a Mexican wave at every World Cup match I've been to so far, but this is the first in the opening 40 minutes. There's been little to excite on the pitch so far, so maybe it's understandable. But here come Tonga..."
PENALTY! NEW ZEALAND 7-3 TONGA (KURT MORATH)From that aforementioned penalty, Morath makes no mistake under pressure to gets some - deserved - points on the board for the underdogs.
If an example was needed of just how New Zealand have so far failed to hit the heights we know they are capable of, Naholo drops the ball under little pressure with men over to end what was an extremely promising attacking move. A howler, which comes just at the wrong time for the Kiwis who find themselves under some sustained pressure.
A lack of precision to blame again for the All Blacks, as another move peters out before it can truly trouble the Tongans. They are driving closer and closer to the try-line, though, and it seems inevitable that a second will soon follow.
CONVERTED TRY! NEW ZEALAND 14-3 TONGA (TONY WOODCOCK)Breathing space for the reigning champs, who at last look as though they could rack up a few tries this evening. It was a more clinical attack from the Kiwis to break down their opponents, with Woodcock being handed the task of crossing over from close range for his side's second score. Carter makes no mistake from the follow-up to ensure that it is a full seven.
A decent start from Tonga has paid little rewards, as they trail by nine points heading into the break. Let's see what North-East based Pascal Lemesre has to say:"This lead feels a bit harsh on Tonga and you just wonder if, in matches like this where they are heavy underdogs, if they should have gone for the jugular when they get penalties like the one they scored from."
We cross over to the TMO for a few moments to decide whether Ben Smith illegally dumped Veainu. It is adjudged, rightly in my opinion, that it was all legit. A penalty conceded, nonetheless, which Tonga kick into touch deep into New Zealand territory.
YELLOW CARD! Tonga are awarded a penalty, but they were closing in on the try-line so there was a tinge of disappointment when play had to be pulled back. There is one big positive, though - Kieran Read is sent to the sin bin for illegally hauling down at the maul.
Brave from Tonga, who are winning pen after pen at the moment. What they really want, however, is a try on the board. They continue to push closer to the line but have to settle for - you've guessed it - another penalty right on the brink of half time. A driving maul will conclude this half - can Tonga make the most of it?
What a brilliant end to the half! Tonga are on the line, literally inches from getting the ball down without actually doing so. The St James' Park crowd urge them on, but three minutes into the red and the TMO officially rules that the ball did not cross the whitewash. What a shame!
HALF TIME: NEW ZEALAND 14-3 TONGA
Well New Zealand somehow managed to ride that wave of pressure without conceding a try, and what a big moment it could be in this contest. The All Blacks would still have been strong favourites even if that ball had crossed the line, of course, but they now have a chance to re-group while sitting on a nine-point lead.
The All Blacks will certainly need to improve in the second half on the back of a sombre opening 40 minutes. Ireland and France, one of whom will face the Kiwis next week, will not be all that concerned at the moment.
Steve Hansen will do doubt have a few words to say at the break, and surely an improved New Zealand will emerge.
Handling errors in particular need to be cut out, as does the ability to remain strong in defence. Okay, their place in the final eight is assured, but momentum is key in this competition and a slack performance could carry into the quarters. Tonga, on the other hand, need to stick at the task and try to pick up the third score of the contest.
An entertaining half of rugby at St James' Park on the whole, then, which Pascal Lemesre was able to observe up close:"A real shame that the Tongans couldn't quite get over at the end there. Great to see that they turned down several chances at three points to go for the try, but you have to credit the All Black defence for not succumbing when it looked like their pack was being overpowered by the men in red. Bring on the second half!"
How about this for a stat, courtesy of the gang at Opta:
RESTART! We are back underway in the North East, with New Zealand looking rejuvenated in their attempt to wrap up the points for good.
More from Mr. Lemesre at St James' Park:"Tonga have to emulate the start that they had in the first half here and make sure that they don't let New Zealand score a couple of quick tries to pull away. They are well in this match!"
The All Blacks are penalised for their failure to release at the breakdown, but they are doing well to keep things ticking over at the moment as Ben Smith charges through. Read will be back on the field in the next couple of minutes following his yellow at the end of the first half.
An enforced change for the Kiwis, with the injured Woodcock being replaced by Crockett. Taione the latest to receive some on-field treatment now.
PENALTY! NEW ZEALAND 14-6 TONGA (MORATH) Tonga break into the All Blacks' 22, working the ball one way and then back the other through 18 phases. Just when they had managed to navigate their way through the hard work, a loose pass cost them a chance of crossing over for a maiden try. Play is pulled back for a pen, which Morath this time opts to kick over for three points.
The offloading from Tonga has been superb so far, asking some serious questions of their opponents high up the pitch. Read is back on the field now, but there is no denying which side is playing with all the momentum behind them.
CONVERTED TRY! NEW ZEALAND 21-6 TONGA (NEHE MILNER-SKUDDER) For the first time in a while, New Zealand have a chance to get some bodies forward. It is a decent attack, too, which ends with a score that will surely confirm the destination of the points. It was positive from the Kiwis, who opted to go for the try rather than taking an earlier penalty, and after going direct Milner-Skudder found a gap to open up a much healthier lead.
New Zealand concede a 10th penalty of the night, which is an aspect that will need improving on. Tonga not willing to give up just yet, and they are desperately seeking a first try of the night with 17 minutes left on the clock.
PENALTY! NEW ZEALAND 21-9 TONGA (MORATH) Morath continues his impressive kicking record by slotting over, closing the gap to 12 points once more in the process.
CONVERTED TRY! NEW ZEALAND 28-9 TONGA (NEHE MILNER-SKUDDER)Five caps and now six tries for the wing, who has helped put the gloss on this victory for his side. It has been anything but impressive, although at least now the Kiwis have a comfortable scoreline to build on. Ben Smith regained the ball from the restart, with Milner-Skudder in turn collecting a kick in behind to add a second score of the night.
Resting up this evening just was not an option for Richie McCaw, who is doubling up as a waterboy this evening:
Sonny Bill Williams has come on for Conrad Smith, while Ben Franks is also on for Owen Franks. New Zealand looking as good now as they have done all evening, as they push ever closer to a fifth try.
The views of Pascal Lemesre, as this pressure from the Kiwis continues to build:"The Tongans look a little spent and you just wonder if they've missed their chance for a try against the reigning world champions. They did everything but get over the line with those two drives when Read was off the field and since then their defence has got leakier to give New Zealand the bonus point. Let's hope we see one last Tongan attack in the final 15."
CONVERTED TRY! NEW ZEALAND 35-9 TONGA (SONNY BILL WILLIAMS)Well the first 50 minutes will quickly be forgotten from a New Zealand perspective, because it has been much improved since then. Try number five comes courtesy of Sonny Bill Williams, who collected Smith's pass just moments after coming on to easily waltz his way through. Carter makes no mistake by slotting over the extras.
A more respectable scoreline, which on the basis of the last 20 minutes is fully deserved. It has been a different story for large parts, though, with that near miss at the end of the first half clearly costing Tonga. Incidentally, that Sonny Bill Williams try was his fourth from the bench.
YELLOW CARD! Things have just got a little worse for Tonga, who will pretty much see out the remainder of this one with 14 men. Replacement hooker Ngauamo made a good tackle on Carter initially, but he let go of his opponent in the air which the TMO adjudged was worthy of a yellow.
CONVERTED TRY! NEW ZEALAND 42-9 TONGA (SAM CANE)It is all getting a little messy for the Pacific Islanders now, with full time feeling like a lifetime away to them at the moment. Sam Cane joins the party at the end of a simple enough move, ducking his way past a challenge to cross the chalk for the Kiwis' sixth try of the game and the fourth in the last 20 minutes. Carter slots over the extras to maintain this impressive kicking tally.
A pitch invader just breaks up New Zealand's momentum for the first time in a while, but it is very much a case of job done for them heading into the final seven minutes. Time for one more try, perhaps?...
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 47-9 TONGA (MA'A NONU)A special moment for Nonu, who adds the cherry to the cake in the closing stages. On his 100th appearance for the All Blacks, the centre was given the task of running the final few metres to touch down. Milner-Skudder had the acceleration to go all the way, but he unselfishly helped it on to his teammate on the far left. Carter misses the resulting conversion for the first time tonight.
Tonga still down to 14, remember, as they battle hard to just keep this scoreline down. It is a battering on the face of it, yet they can be more than happy with their showing over the opening 50 minutes.
Tahitua looked for a moment as though he had the beating of his man and a clear gap to burst into, but that was not the case and New Zealand look as though they will happily run down the clock now. A huge test against one of Ireland or France awaits.
FULL TIME: NEW ZEALAND 47-9 TONGA
A nice and simple win for the All Blacks in the end, then, as they make it four wins from four. Let's check in with Pascal Lemesre for one last time:"A nice moment for Nonu on his 100th test appearance and it's clear that Tonga have completely run out of gas in the final quarter of this match. Such a shame they couldn't score a try either side of half time. Beware France or Ireland, this All Blacks team gets better as the game goes on."
Steve Hansen will certainly have plenty to work on judging by the first-half showing, yet it is hard to be too critical of a side as efficient as New Zealand. They remain the favourites to go all the way in this year's tournament, while Argentina will join them in the final eight from Pool C.
Well that brings to an end our live text coverage of this evening's match from St James' Park, but be sure to stick around because we will have some reaction - exclusive, no doubt - coming your way over the next couple of hours.
