The All Blacks have hit their straps in the last half-hour to beat Tonga 47-9 in Newcastle and end a stuttering Rugby World Cup pool campaign on a high.
The defending champions scored five of their seven tries in the second spell at St James’ Park to qualify for the quarter-finals with a perfect pool record – matching their achievement at the previous seven tournaments.
Underwhelming at times during wins over Argentina, Namibia and Georgia, they also struggled for rhythm early in the game on Friday against the physical Pacific islanders.
Up 14-6 at halftime and just 14-9 ahead when Tongan first flyhalf Kurt Morath slotted his third penalty, New Zealand came alive.
Winger Nehe Milner-Skudder snared a double before further tries to reserve midfield back Sonny Bill Williams, flanker Sam Cane and second five-eighth Ma’a Nonu blew the scoreline out.
Nonu’s long-range try was a popular one in his 100th game, set up by his impressive Hurricanes teammate Milner-Skudder, who was named man of the match.
Dan Carter, who converted six tries in a welcome return to goalkicking form, finished the game in a ginger state. The veteran flyhalf was dumped in a lifting tackle which resulted in a yellow card for Tongan replacement hooker Paula Ngauamo.
New Zealand captain Kieran Read was also sent to the sin bin when he collapsed a maul late in the first half as the cohesive Tongan pack launched a series of drives on the line.
Tonga finished the pool in fourth place, with a lone win over Namibia, but saved arguably their best rugby for the world champions.
The first half was especially physical, with the All Blacks able to cross the line just twice, through fullback Ben Smith and prop Tony Woodcock, who scored his first Test try since the 2011 World Cup final.
Morath slotted two penalties but his team were unfortunate not to be closer after dominating possession for long periods and forcing the world champions into mistakes.
Read says the game ticked several boxes heading into a quarter-final in Cardiff on Saturday next week.
Their opponents will be the loser of the pool D decider between unbeaten France and Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday.
“We got a tough game, which is certainly what you need at this time of the tournament,” Read said.
“It’s going to be like that next week so in some ways I’m pleased we fought back really hard and got some points in the second half.
“Obviously there are things we can work on. In the first half they put us under a lot of pressure.”
Read expects a fierce forward examination from whoever they meet first up in the knockout phase.
“Tonga took us on up front and I was really pleased with the way we just stuck at it,” he said.
“We’re glad to be where we are. Not everyone’s there next week so we’re looking forward to that challenge.”
Ken
Roar Rookie
Agree Kuruki, C Smith is looking his age and whilst he still doesn't miss tackles, he sometimes only just gets the legs late. Sad to hear Vito is playing better than Kqino and Read, as I have always rated him well below. Agree he is playing his heart out though
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Time for the big boys to come out and play. If they Don't look like a completely different pack in the first 10 minutes of the quarter final then we are in big trouble. If there is one huge concern for the All Blacks it's how average Kaino, Read and Conrad Smith have been. IMO Victor Vito is playing better then both those guys and should come into the starting team, however that will not happen. Id also like to see SBW and Nonu together, C Smith has been a passenger. Hopefully those big boys have been holding back in preparation for unleashing for the next 3 weeks. If that's the case it's going to be fun.
alex
Roar Pro
Herald is wrong.. Moody is on the plane
ohtani's jacket
Guest
I love how people are pretending we played poorly against Tonga. Pss, we didn't.
Mike Julz
Guest
Oops I mean Naholo. ;-)
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Moody has been called into the squad to replace Woody
Mike Julz
Guest
Nadolo has probably played his last WC match. Savea and NMS are the preferred wingers now. The only time Nadolo will be picked is when either those guys get njured or played poorly.
Jackie Estacado
Roar Rookie
Yeah, but you are forgetting coaching bias. I think SH really wanted Naholo to be the man in his plans. Even if he doesn't play QF, If AB's make the SF I would not be surprised if he is brought it.
Ra
Guest
I dunno about Savea. Nonu on his wing, he did the job out there this morning, and SBW at 12, Barrett at the back if Smith gets suspended
Ra
Guest
I was always confident the Wallabies would take out England. I said so in another thread before they played. They gutsed it out against the Poms for Deano in his last EOYT when everyone everywhere were rubbishing them, especially one of our own boys Quade Cooper, and the stupid media giving him milage. That game I think was a better win than this one. Why, because that Aussie team had so many injuries, in fact a whole rep side on the side line. Hooper really came of age for me in that game. The little blue heeler was everywhere being a right little nuisance. I think that Pome team was a better one than this one, and this Wallabies side a much stronger set piece unit. But that one with its so-called inferior front row stood up to the Poms and showed true grit. Their self belief to my mind was laid by Deano's Wallabies, three years ago.
wardad
Guest
Hence the Namibian team all taking selfies with Richie ! But then again who wouldnt [ actually I would want to but couldnt due to being too old for school or cool or something !]
Mapu
Guest
How many dot downs to none.give us a break
Mapu
Guest
I thought that he got lifted off his feet and didn't bring it down
Ra
Guest
Agree Buzzard. Just because he set such high high standards well beyond the average 8 a few couch sceptics think he should always be up there. He's probably come back closer to the pack because more opposition know his play now, but he's still ahead of the average international 8, even in a lean time.
Yogi
Guest
That maul was flying towards the try line when it was brought down. Penalty try. the ABs are in real trouble unless they find their eden park form very quickly. Last 4 games worst I have seen ABs play. Ever.
Yogi
Guest
If he hadn't illegally brought down that maul a try would have been scored and scores would have been roughly level at half time. Penalty try must have been considered. Yellow was deserved. why is no one talking about how the AB scrum is the weakest of all quarter finalists?
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
When our forwards are spread across the park and do their cute offloads, we either get ministered in the tackle by two players who can see it a mile off or they lose possession by a dropped pass. This was true of Sydney, the first half against Argentina and Tonga. When we drive it up the middle and suck in defenders to rucks, we find the right time to shift it out wide where lo and behold there is space. That's what we saw in Eden Park and the second halves against Tonga and Argentina, The question is, how much does this slogging up the guts take out of the forwards? We appear to be at our most vulnerable in he early exchanges but the bench changes and opening up of the game seem to see us lift in performance. So has Hansen been practising that difficult first half for most of the games this pool group? Time will tell but the defence seemed to improve throughout the pool after the flimsy effort against Argentina and though our attack never clicked, enough was done to win the game. I can see a plan. I want to believe,
Paul from Melbourne
Guest
I think it is way too early to be concerned about the Wobblies from the AB point of view. Until there is clarity when and where and if they will actually meet, I think it is wait and see. I am hoping that the luck for the Welsh will turn tomorrow morning. They were hard done by in the lsemi final in 2011 when Warburton got sent off with a red. Similar offenses in this world cup are only getting yellows. If they can top the pool, they will go further than the last world cup which seems good karma to me. Wobblies are talking about grand slam after just one win and McMahon is now world class after 2 meat pies from the Uruguay match. Apparently they are now also world cup favorite according to Waugh. Good on them, they always like to talk before they walk, We will see if Wales will turn up tomorrow morning. How good is a prop with a name called Samson. To be honest I'm more concerned about Ireland at the moment because we might meet them next week. If we are meeting France, I'm OK with it because I know the boys won't be complacent after 2007. But if we are to meet Ireland, AB might get a little complacent because Ireland has never beaten us. The old wise heads won't have any complacency but first time world cup players like TJ Perenara or Barrett might start to get a little cocky and push their little miracle passes and boom intercept try from Ireland. To be honest, I'd rather have KB on the bench than TJ. He seems more measured. Anyhow if there is anything that Hansen has done, he has minimized the chance of AB get too ahead of themselves.
JMB
Guest
Yep spot on with the resets being poor both on attack and receiving along with being shaky and hesitant under the high ball. Frustratingly this has not improved during the tournament which is perplexing as it becomes high priority in a week. I really think only the game in Eden Park this year demonstrated the quick and efficient cleanout ABs need and thrive on, when they get it and if A Smith and DC are in sync they'll be near unstoppable. I know McCaw and Read will lift for next week, C Smith as being part of the senior leadership group simply must too, he's been too pedestrian and dull.
Leister Stewart
Guest
A shame about woodcock as he was just starting to score tries again. He won us the last World Cup with his try scoring prowess.