The All Blacks are satisfied with their week’s preparation for their final pool game of the Rugby World Cup against Tonga in Newcastle tomorrow morning.
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The defending champions and world number one side remain favourites, then, but it is conceivable that they will, in their next three matches, have to play the three teams – France, South Africa and Australia – that have given them most trouble down the years on successive weekends.
However, even though his first run-out for the All Blacks ended in disappointment, the taste of losing is one that has become alien to Nonu.
Tonga’s tournament began disastrously with a 17-10 loss to Georgia before notching a win over Namibia and heavy 45-16 loss to Argentina. They have made just one change to the side that was defeated by the Pumas.
Nonu is the sixth All Black to reach the 100-test milestone, joining Richie McCaw, Mils Muliaina, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock and Dan Carter in the elusive club.
“You would think he’s a daunting character to play with when you look at his stature, but he’s a cool fella, always giving me little cheeky remarks that sort of calm your nerves a bit”.
Tonga can help ward off worldwide rugby poachers by beating the All Blacks in Newcastle, says centre Siale Piutau.
Nerves settled, Carter did everything right for what looked like a certain second try, but the wing Waisake Naholo fumbled, taking an early black mark in his competition with Milner-Skudder to partner Julian Savea in the quarter final. “It’s an honour and a privilege for me, and I’m just really blessed to be in this environment”, he said. He and his family will be very proud of everything he’s achieved, as we all are of him.
“We know the Tongans will be very physical and bring everything to this pool match,” Hansen said. This came after the collapsing of a maul close to the line which should have possibly seen a penalty try awarded.
“He’s played a lot of games for the All Blacks and if this happens to be the end of his time it would be a sad way to finish because he’s been a great All Black and probably deserves to go out better than that”.
“I believe this could be my last season with the global team and it’s just a flawless way of going out”, Latu said.
“We showed glimpses of how good we can be”.
In worldwide rugby it’s all about winning collisions and getting on the front foot, which is what he gave New Zealand in his first 30 or 40 caps.
The last twenty minutes saw the All Blacks play their best rugby, and they will hope they can take that forward to their quarter-final in Cardiff against either Ireland or France next Saturday.
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“I liked it because it was similar to New Zealand – it was quite humble in terms of what they had but it was still impressive”, Smith said.
