Rugby World Cup: Tonga, not quarters, the focus for All Blacks

All Blacks lock Luke Romano interacts with fans in Darlington. Photo / Brett Phibbs

While the rest of the world wants to talk about the All Blacks' World Cup quarter-final opponents - either France or Ireland - the men themselves are staying true to their desire to not look beyond the end of each week.

In this case that means their final match tomorrow morning against Tonga at St James' Park, Newcastle's famous and intimate football stadium - the home of the Toon Army, the team's supporters who make a virtue of being the "loyal-est in the land".

Certainly, they have a good base from which to provide their support, because if the accoustics at the All Blacks' captain's run today is any indication, the noise from the crowd is likely to be immense.

The stands from this stadium, situated in the middle of the city, are also extremely close to the pitch. The efforts of the players will be seen in minute detail and the noise generated from only metres away is likely to inspire them to greater deeds; hopefully for the All Blacks that means their most complete performance of the tournament.

"Outstanding," said assistant coach Ian Foster to the question of what he thought of the stadium that has played host to the likes of Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer.

"Very impressive. For most of us it is our first time here - driving through the city and seeing the stadium on top of the skyline and coming inside ... it's been awesome, actually. It's very much an iconic stadium for us Kiwis and to actually come here and have a chance to play in it is fantastic."

Foster's second question was whether he had his team's quarter-final line-up cemented in his mind.

"We've got a plan, but like everyone we'll take this Tonga game first and foremost. There are a few things we obviously see out of this game ... and we'll make that decision in the weekend. We've got a plan with the ability to adapt. How's that for an answer?"

Kieran Read, the captain in the absence of Richie McCaw, who is out with a thigh injury, was asked by a Frenchman which team he would rather face - the French or the Irish.

"I'll probably go around that question to be honest and say we don't mind," Read said. "The team you are going to face in the quarter-final is the team that potentially could go all the way in this World Cup. We've got to prepare to play the top nations if we're going to win this thing. They're damn good sides and it's going to be an exciting game when they play."

Foster added: "There are enough things to worry about at the World Cup to worry about things we can't control. We're just focusing and worrying about beating Tonga."

Earlier the All Blacks hosted a big crowd of spectators at their training facility - a large club stadium on the outskirts of Darlington, with Read saying he had been impressed with the level of support the team had received.

"We've had a great week down in Darlington. The support we've had from the locals ... we had close to 5000 people turn up to see us train and do a few skills and things. We certainly know we're making an impact on the communities over here which is what we want to do."

- By Patrick McKendry in Newcastle