Steve Hansen makes six New Zealand changes for Tonga contest

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has made six changes to his starting XV for the All Blacks' final Pool C contest against Tonga on Friday night.

Captain Richie McCaw misses out on matchday 23 with a sore hip, so number-eight Kieran Read will take the armband for the game at St James' Park in Newcastle.

McCaw's absence means that he can only equal Jason Leonard's World Cup appearance record of 22 if he features in all three knockout matches should New Zealand advance that far.

In the backs, Ma'a Nonu returns at inside-centre to become the sixth All Black to reach 100 career Test appearances.

He will start alongside Conrad Smith, meaning that the duo extend the world record for a starting centre combination to 59 matches.

New Zealand will guarantee top spot in the group and face the loser of the match between France and Ireland with a win on Friday night.

New Zealand: Woodcock, Coles, O. Franks; Romano, Whitelock; Kaino, Cane; Read; A. Smith, Carter, Naholo, Nonu, C. Smith, Milner-Skudder, B. Smith Replacements: Mealamu, Crockett, B. Franks, Retallick, Messam, Kerr-Barlow, Barrett, Bill Williams