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2019 Rugby World Cup warm-up: New Zealand vs Tonga |
||
| Venue: FMG Stadium, Hamilton | ||
| Match time: Fulltime | ||
| New Zealand | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| 92 | SCORE | 7 |
| 14 | Tries | 1 |
| 11 | Conversions | 1 |
| 0 | Penalty goals | 0 |
| 0 | Drop goals | 0 |
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New Zealand have coasted to an 85-point win over Tonga in their final match before the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Final score
All Blacks 92
Tonga 7
The All Blacks will be out to make a big statement ahead of the Rugby World Cup when they take on Tonga in Waikato in their final warm-up match before flying out to Japan. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 12:35pm (AEST).
Both Tonga and the All Blacks are into the World Cup, but they are streets apart, with New Zealand hoping for a third straight title at the end of the biggest tournament in the world, while Tonga’s realistic aim will include getting out of the group stage, but even that might be a stretch.
No matter where you look across the park, the All Blacks are all class.
Whether is’s the return of Ben Smith at fullback after he was controversially dropped during the Bledisloe Cup, Beauden Barrett lining up at fly-half, Ryan Crotty recovering from a hand injury to replace Sonny Bill Williams, or their explosive outside backs in Crusaders duo Sevu Reece and George Bridge, they are the best side in the world for a reason.
While they did have a bumpy Rugby Championship, which included a draw with the Springboks and a loss to the Wallabies, they gave a much better account of themselves in the second Bledisloe Cup Test, blowing out the Wallabies 36 points to nothing.
Tonga, on the other hand, have had a mixed build-up to the World Cup, and will be looking to give a good account of themselves in a game which is a big opportunity for the nation.
They lost to Fiji last weekend and beat Canada during the Pacific Nations Cup, but also had heavy and somewhat worrying losses to Japan and Samoa in the same tournament.
They are in an incredibly tough group at the World Cup, alongside England, France and Argentina, so will look to use this as an opportunity to gauge where they are at against one of the best sides in the world.
Former Wallabies player Cooper Vuna has been named in the Tongan side to face the All Blacks, while David Halaifonua will have a big job to do at the back.
The result, and possibly size of margin, will come down to their forwards though. If they can’t go close to matching the All Blacks, then this might get messy.
Prediction
This is going to be one-way traffic. The All Blacks are almost at full strength, and should absolutely run away with this game. The weather might throw a spanner in the works, and you’d hardly expect them to keep the foot down for 80 minutes in a friendly, but with positions in the 23 on the line, they will hammer Tonga.
All Blacks by 35.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Rugby World Cup warm-up game in Waikato from 12:35pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Kick-off: 12:35pm (AEST)
Venue: FMG Stadium, Hamilton
TV: Live, Fox Sports 503
Online: Live, Kayo Sports, Foxtel App, Foxtel Now
Betting: New Zealand $1.01, Tonga $50
Overall record: Played 5, All Blacks 5, Tonga 0
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Damon Murphy (Australia), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: James Leckie (Australia)
New Zealand
15. Ben Smith, 14. Sevu Reece, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 12. Ryan Crotty, 11. George Bridge, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. TJ Perenara, 8. Kieran Read (c), 7. Matt Todd, 6. Ardie Savea, 5. Sam Whitelock, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 3. Nepo Laulala, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Joe Moody
Reserves: 16. Liam Coltman, 17. Ofa Tuungafasi, 18. Angus Ta’avao, 19. Scott Barrett, 20. Luke Jacobson, 21. Aaron Smith. 22. Josh Ioane, 23. Jordie Barrett.
Tonga
15. David Halaifonua, 14. Cooper Vuna, 13. Malietoa Hingano, 12. Siale Piutau (c), 11. Viliami Lolohea, 10. Kurt Morath, 9. Sonatane Takulua, 8. Maama Vaipulu, 7. Fotu Lokotui, 6. Sione Kalamafoni, 5. Leva Fifita, 4. Sam Lousi, 3. Siua Halanukonuka, 2. Siua Maile, 1. Siegfried Fisiihoi
Reserves: 16. Sione Anga’aelangi, 17. Vunipola Fifita, 18. Ma’afu Fia, 19. Dan Faleafa, 20. Zane Kapeli, 21. Leon Fukofuka, 22. James Faiva, 23. Atieli Pakalani
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