2015 Rugby World Cup: New Zealand put in scintillating final half hour to quell Tongan challenge

Action from the match between New Zealand and Tonga

With the international break in play and footballers out representing their national teams, St. James’ Park in Newcastle played host to a different sport as the venue for New Zealand’s final pool game against Tonga.

The All Blacks in the end overwhelmed their fellow Pacific islanders 47-9 to finish their group stage campaign on a positive note. It wasn’t without its struggles though.

New Zealand went into the game with three wins out of three and assured top spot, but having flattered to deceive in each of their matches. Their performances had been nothing special, marred by numerous errors and careless play.

For about 50 minutes of this contest, that looked to be the pattern yet again as the world champions could only eke out a 14-3 advantage over the Tongans by half-time. Part of it was down to the spirited effort of their opponents who literally gave it everything making for a very physical contest.

However, the All Blacks played their part too with missed carries and wayward passes dotting their game. As a result, they struggled and stuttered their way to an 11-point lead at the break.

Captain Richie McCaw sat out the game and New Zealand were led by Vice-captain Kieran Read instead. The opening try though came after McCaw had just made an appearance as water boy in the 13th minute. McCaw’s replacement, Sam Cane, got the ball to centre Conrad Smith who quickly fed the ball to full-back Ben Smith for the try.

The Tongans responded to that with a bout of sustained pressure and were rewarded with a penalty which Kurt Morath converted to put them on the board on 26 minutes.

New Zealand quickly had the chance to hit back and establish distance and they did just that when prop Tony Woodcock scored five minutes after Tonga’s penalty, after collecting a quick pass from scrum-half Aaron Smith.

Tonga though finished the half strongly and as they established territory in New Zealand’s half with a long and patient build-up, they were given a shot in the arm when All Blacks captain Read was yellow carded for collapsing a maul and sent to the sin bin. The world champions though exhibited some resolute defence to hold on and keep the Tongans at bay with the ball just inches away from the try line.

Tonga started the second half bustling, buoyed by their first half showing, and the fact that Read was still out. They had another chance to grab at try, but Siale Piutau was unable to hold on to a high pass and the chance was gone. They earned a penalty though which Morath converted.

Read’s return though seemed to revive the All Blacks and Dan Carter began to get into his groove as Nehe Milner-Skudder scored for New Zealand in the right corner after Carter’s pass in what was to be the first of five second half tries that they scored.

Morath added another penalty as Tonga inched towards touching double figures, but Milner-Skudder was at it again, this time on the other left wing, running onto a lovely grubber kick from Beauden Barrett, who had come on for Waisake Naholo.

Another substitute got on the score sheet as Sonny Bill Williams scored try number five after picking up Aaron Smith’s superb pass. The problems compounded for Tonga when replacement hooker Paula Ngaumo was yellow carded for leaving his feet.

There was still more to come though as Cane and Ma’a Nonu ran in two more tries past the tiring Tongan defence. The biggest cheer of the night came up for Nonu’s try as the man celebrated the grand occasion of playing his 100th test match with a try.

Nonu was carried off by his teammates post match to be presented with his 100th cap by captain McCaw.

The Tongans exit the competition while the All Blacks head back to the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff

where they will play either France or Ireland in their quarterfinal on October 17.