New Zealand 47-9 Tonga: Rugby World Cup 2015 – as it happened
This article is more than 8 years old
The All Blacks overcame a nervy first half to beat Tonga 47-9, bagging seven tries in the process including a score for Ma’a Nonu on his 100th cap for New Zealand
What a difference a half makes. 40 minutes ago, New Zealand were six inches from going into the break just 14-10 up, and they had their captain for this evening, Kieran Read, in the sin bin.
But the All Blacks were simply sensational in the second half. Ben Smith and Nehe Milner-Skudder were the stand-out players, but Sam Cane also played very well at flanker. New Zealand can now put their feet up and watch France v Ireland on Sunday – they will face the loser of that contest in the quarter-final.
Now confirmed as the runner-up in Pool C, Argentina will face the winner of that clash. Tonga are out, but that is more down to their crucial defeat to Georgia a few weeks ago than their performance here tonight, which fluctuated from the sublime to the frazzled. They finish in fourth behind the Georgians, who automatically qualify for the 2019 World Cup.
Nonu got his try, and organised the All Blacks midfield defence stoutly. He certainly had a night to remember and was carried off the field at St James Park on the shoulders on his team-mates: a nice touch, that.
Tonga’s players give their supporters a cheer on a lap of honour around the pitch. Tonight at least, they’ve got a lot to be proud of.
That’s all from me, thanks for reading and for your emails and tweets. See you next time. Bye!
Ma’a Nonu is carried by teammates through a guard of honour after his 100th cap for New Zealand. Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images
79 min: Milner-Skudder gets the man-of-the-match award – he’s been excellent especially in this second half, but it could just have easily gone to Ben Smith, who has been at the heart of everything for the All Blacks.
He’s got his try! A loose Tongan kick again isn’t chased up and New Zealand have acres of space to counter attack once they move it left. Milner-Skudder has the freedom of St James’ Park but draws Fosita nicely and released Nonu on the wing, who canters into the corner for his landmark score. Carter is the first to congratulate his old mucker, everyone is obviously delighted for the dreadlocked centre. Carter misses the conversion, his first mistake of the night with the boot.
Nonu runs to score his team’s seventh try. Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images
74 min: Tonga aren’t done yet. They win a penalty and go for the corner. But they can’t secure the ball, and New Zealand clear. Nonu showed all his experience, rush defence there. Not the most memorable match for Nonu on his 100th cap, but he’s gone about his business efficiently.
69 min: Tonga’s frustration finally shows: Taumalolo, the replacement hooker, dump tackles Carter to the turf, leaving him in a heap. That is a horribly dangerous tackle, he completely upended the All Black No10, who has taken a battering all night. Yellow card for Taumalolo, fully deserved. When will Steve Hansen hook Carter? Give the guy a break!
Try! (Sonny Bill Williams 65) New Zealand 35-9 Tonga
Aaron Smith shows his class, looking left and passing right as Sonny Bill Williams walks through a Pacific-sized gap to score under the posts with his first touch. Carter does his thing. Suddenly this score looks respectable from the All Blacks point of view. They are smiling now! Something I don’t think I saw in the first half.
Sonny Bill Williams runs through to score. Photograph: Seconds Left/Rex Shutterstock
63 min: All Blacks are into Tongan territory again, it’s now a case of whether Tonga can hang on. Captain Latu looks like the only one that’s interested – he takes Carter to task after the fly-half makes a break.
He’s scored again! I said he might not be the quickest wing New Zealand have ever had, but he sure showed some wheels there, latching onto a clever grubber kick from Beauden Barrett. The sub showed outstanding vision there, saw the space behind. The All Blacks have finally hit their stride.
55 min: Milner-Skudder isn’t the biggest, the quickest, the most dynamic wing New Zealand have ever had but he’s got a frightening step and his footballing skills are up there with the best – he has also caught the high ball well and is always looking for the off-load. This is only his fifth All Black cap, but it’s also his fifth try.
From the line-out, New Zealand go back to basics. Keeping the ball in the forwards, they brutally march through the Tongan 22. There are maybe 15-16 phases as the Tongans never get anywhere near a turnover, such is the ferocity of Cane’s clearouts. Aaron Smith eventually spins it right to Milner-Skudder who dodges Naholo and gets over for the try. Carter converts for a 15-point lead.
50 min: Tonga are penalised for taking the man without the ball, and New Zealand kick for the corner. They don’t need the bonus point of course, but that’s what they’re gunning for.
47 min: This is hugely impressive stuff! Tonga’s offloads are sensational, they are teaching the All Blacks a thing or two at the moment! Tonga are just 10 metres out, and spin it wide, but ahhhh, it’s lost forward. But the referee was playing advantage, Tonga will have a kick at goal for their sterling efforts.
46 min: Again, Tonga look most dangerous around the fringes, picking and going with ball in hand. Vainikolo, who recently left Exeter for Oyonnax, then Latu, then Tonga’uiha all make ground. They’re into the New Zealand 22 again!
43 min: Just to remind you, Read has about two more minutes in the sin bin until he is allowed to come on again. Try-scorer Tony Woodcock has picked up a knock, he will be substituted for Wyatt Crockett. That will worry Steve Hansen, the last thing he needs is unnecessary injuries.
42 min: Ben Smith has probably been the pick of the All Black players and he makes another darting run through the heart of the Tongan defence after a cute pass from Aaron Smith. Lilo eventually brings him down and Tonga scramble a defence, eventually Ben Smith is penalised for not releasing.
New Zealand lead, but it’s been a poor half by their extremely high standards. Handling errors going forward, and they’ve been battered around the fringes in defence. Tonga should hold their heads high.
11 - #NZL have held a smaller lead over a non-Tier One nation just once in the @rugbyworldcup, against #TGA in 1999 (16-9 at HT). Theme.
