NZ VS TONGA

 

Some magical moments in the first half as they scooted 27-0 clear after 31 minutes.

It was downhill from there as the Tongans refused to budge and improved their error rate.

The All Blacks fell on the wrong side of referee George Clancy and because they struggled for physical control up front, they were left relying on backline brilliance for their points.

This came often enough to establish a sizeable win but the lack of coherency will concern All Blacks coach Graham Henry ahead of their next match in a week's time against Japan in Hamilton.

McCaw, who was far from the influential figure All Blacks supporters have come to expect, seems relaxed enough.

"Perhaps we expected it to happen in the second half rather than be ruthless," he tells Sky Sport.

"We're happy to get a winning start in front of a big crowd like this."

Fulltime: NZ 41 Tonga 10.

80: Tongan lineout on halfway and this should be the last play of the game. Tongan turnover and the All Blacks go wide but Dagg is bowled and loses the ball forward.

79: Lineout win for the Tongan's who swing it wide to the right. The All Blacks are penalised at the breakdown once again. This time it appears to be Nonu.

79: Flynn's on for Hore. The All Blacks bench is cleared and they'll want to finish on a high. They attack neatly and find touch 25m out from the Tongan line.

78: Conversion Slade. NZ 41 Tonga 10. 

 

 

 

My Opinion On This Article: It is awesome that the All Blacks won but I am happy that Tonga got some points.