Preview: New Zealand v Tonga
They have met just four times in fact, of which three times were at World Cups.
New Zealand and its several islands is bigger and more prosperous than the Kingdom of Tonga – with its 177 islands.
New Zealand has a population of 4,5 million, Tonga one of 106,000.
Both countries love their rugby.
New Zealand played their first Test match in 1903, against Australia (and won).
Tonga played their first Test in 1924, against Fiji (and won).
New Zealand have been to all the World Cups so far, Tonga to seven out of eight, missing only 1991.
New Zealand are the kings of the rugby world, but Tonga have had their moments, too. They have twice beaten France and once each beaten Italy and Scotland.
This World Cup has been less successful. Of their three matches so far they have beaten only winless Namibia.
They will be fearless and determined against the All Blacks, men built to take rugby on up front. But they will not be as fast, cohesive, skilled and creative.
The All Blacks have the experience of playing together in SANZAR rugby.
The Tongans' experience is largely overseas. Of the 31 players in their squad only one, Sosefo Ma’ake, plays his club rugby in Tonga, and he is not playing on Friday.
It means they are worldly wise with the patriotic fervour of expats plus the skills and conditioning of top training and coaching.
In this match seven players will be playing against the land of their birth.
For those who accuse the All Blacks of poaching, all seven will be New Zealanders playing for Tonga.
There is one Tonga-born player in the New Zealand squad, but he will not be playing against the land of his birth – Malakai Fekitoa (Ha'apai, Tonga), who was 17 when he moved to New Zealand on a scholarship to Wesley College.
The Tongans are likely to do well in the scrums, if not getting the better of the All Blacks.
They did better against Argentina than New Zealand did at the World Cup and suffered equally as much against the born-to-scrum Georgians.
They will not get the better of the All Blacks in the line-outs and will survive the post-tackle scrap only with zealous intent, which they will have but may find it hard to maintain.
There will be no doubt that Tonga will try its very best – little brother proving his worth against big brother.
Players to Watch
For New Zealand: The whole New Zealand backline, and it is probably their very best backline, quite possibly the best in the world. But, of course, there will be more attention paid to Ma'a Nonu, back from injury and playing his 100th Test. He will be between two highly experienced All Blacks, centenarian Dan Carter and nonagenarian Conrad Smith, who, if you are a wing, must be the best outside centre in the world. In fact all seven starters in the New Zealand backline are world-beaters, and there is still Sonny Bill Williams to come. Richie McCaw with a sore thigh will miss this match, but players like Kieran Reid, Sam Whitelock and Dane Coles are likely to catch they eye and there is centenarian, Keven Mealamu, who may well come off the bench to join Nonu – and Carter and Tony Woodcock.
For Tonga: They likely to be an eager collective, but flyhalf Kurt Morath, a New Zealander by birth, and eager forwards Nili Latu and Sione Kalamafoni will catch the eye. And then there is Soane Tonga'uiha who was a cult figure in England when he played for Northampton Saints.
Head to Head: The front rows – Tony Woodcock, Dane Coles and Owen Franks against Soane Tonga'uiha, Elvis Taione and Halani 'Aulika – will be a battle and so will be the loose forward contest – Viliami Ma'afu, Nili Latu and Sione Kalamafoni against Kieran Read, Sam Cane and Jerome Kaino.
Previous results:
1999: New Zealand won 45-9, Bristol (World Cup pool match)
2000: New Zealand won 102-0, Albany
2003: New Zealand won 91-7, Brisbane (World Cup pool match)
2011: New Zealand won 41-10, Auckland (World Cup pool match)
Results at 2015 World Cup
They are in the same pool and so will have played against the same opponents.
Argentina: New Zealand won 26-16; Tonga lost 45-16
Georgia: New Zealand won 43-10; Tonga lost 17-10
Namibia: New Zealand won 58-14; Tonga won 35-21
Prediction: We feel New Zealand will win and win well. We suggest by 35 or more.
The Teams
New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Tawera Kerr Barlow, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Sonny Bill Williams.
Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Telusa Veainu, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Latiume Fosita, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Kurt Morath, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Nili Latu (captain), 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 Joseph Tuineau, 4 Tukulua Lokotui, 3 Halani 'Aulika, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Paula Ngauamo, 17 Sona Taumalolo, 18 Sila Puafisi, 19 Sitiveni Mafi, 20 Jack Ram, 21 Samisoni Fisilau, 22 Viliami Tahitu'a, 23 Will Helu.
Date: Friday, 9 October 2015
Venue: St James' Park, Newcastle
Kick-off: 20.00 (19.00 GMT)
Expected weather: Partly cloudy with a high of 17°C, dropping to 7°C. No rain.
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant referees: JP Doyle (England), Marius Mitrea (Italy)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
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