Ma'a Nonu will play his 100th test match when the All Blacks face Tonga. Photo / Brett Phibbs
With no games tomorrow, and the All Blacks playing their last pool game on Saturday morning, Scott Yeoman looks at seven things you need to know going into tonight.
The All Blacks team to play Tonga was announced this morning, with captain Richie McCaw missing
out due to a thigh injury. Prop Charlie Faumuina was also unavailable for selection because of a tight hamstring but Liam Messam, who missed the Georgia game because of a minor calf strain, is back in the match-day squad. He is on the reserves bench alongside his mate Sonny Bill Williams. Sam Cane will replace McCaw at No 7, and Kieran Read playing at No 8 will captain the side. Winger Waisake Naholo will start on the wing after recovering from his bruised leg. Nehe Milner-Skudder is on the right wing and Ma'a Nonu, playing in his 100th test, will start at inside centre after also missing the last game due to a minor shoulder niggle. Brodie Retallick has moved to the bench, with Luke Romano and Sam Whitelock the starting locks. Tony Woodcock and Owen Franks are back as the starting props after Wyatt Crockett and Faumuina took their place against Georgia in Cardiff.
Tonga, meanwhile, have only made one change from the side that lost to Argentina 45-16. Latiume Fosita will start at inside centre ahead of Sione Piukala.
The All Blacks have a captain's run at St James' Park in Newcastle overnight tonight, followed by a press conference. Tomorrow will be a day off for the team, before they take the field in their last pool game on Saturday morning (NZ time). To get a good idea of where they'll be training and playing, read this piece about the iconic St James' Park. Betting on New Zealand to win is suspended at the TAB, but Tonga is paying $26.
All Blacks v. Tonga, St James' Park in Newcastle, 8am on Saturday morning (NZ time)
All Blacks: Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Waisake Naholo, Dan Carter, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (c), Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Brodie Retallick, Liam Messam, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams.
Tonga: Vungakoto Lilo, Telusa Veainu, Siale Piutau, Latiume Fosita, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Kurt Morath, Sonatane Takulua; Viliami Ma'afu, Nili Latu (captain), Sione Kalamafoni, Joe Tu'ineau, Tukulua Lokotui, Halani 'Aulika, Elvis Taione, Soane Tonga'uiha. Reserves: Paula Ngauamo, Sona Taumalolo, Sila Puafisi, Sitiveni Mafi, Jack Ram, Samisoni Fisilau, Viliami Tahitua, Will Helu.
Pool A - Both Australia and Wales have already qualified for the quarter finals, with England, Fiji and Uruguay eliminated. Whoever wins this weekend's clash at Twickenham - played at 4.45am on Sunday morning (NZ time) - will finish top of the pool and play either Scotland or Japan. The loser will play South Africa in the quarter-final.
Pool B - South Africa has finished top of their pool after a huge 64-0 win over the USA this morning. They will play the runner-up in Pool A in the quarter-final. While Samoa and the USA have been eliminated, Scotland and Japan are still alive and kicking. Scotland will qualify for the quarter-finals if they beat Samoa on Sunday, or if Japan lose to the USA on Monday (unless it is a bonus-point draw for Japan). Japan will qualify if they beat the USA and Scotland loses to Samoa. Whoever finishes runner up in this pool behind the Springboks will play either Australia or Wales.
Pool C - The All Blacks have qualified for the quarter finals and, as long as they pick up at least one point against Tonga, will finish top of the pool. This means they will play either France or Ireland in the quarter-final in Cardiff. Namibia and Georgia have both been eliminated, but Georgia can still finish third and automatically qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup if Tonga fail to beat the All Blacks on Saturday morning (NZ time). Tonga can still qualify for the quarter finals if they beat the All Blacks with a bonus point and Argentina don't get a point in their game against Namibia on Monday morning. Argentina will qualify for the quarter finals and play the winner of Ireland v. France if Tonga don't get a bonus point win against the All Blacks. If Tonga do manage to do that, the Pumas would need to get a single point against Namibia. Argentina can still finish top of the pool if the All Blacks fail to get one point against Tonga.
Pool D - Ireland and France have both qualified for the quarter finals and Italy, Canada and Romania have been eliminated. Whoever wins the game between France and Ireland on Monday morning will finish top of the pool and likely play Argentina. The loser will finish runner-up and likely play the All Blacks in Cardiff.
All Blacks v. Tonga is the next Rugby World Cup game to be played and is the only match this Saturday. Sunday morning starts with Samoa v. Scotland at 2.30am (NZ time) at St James' Park in Newcastle, followed by Australia taking on Wales at Twickenham at 4.45am. Then hosts England, who have already been knocked out of the tournament, will play Uruguay at Manchester City Stadium at 8am. The last four pool games this tournament will take place on Monday morning (NZ time). Argentina plays Namibia at Leicester City Stadium at 12am, Italy is up against Romania at Sandy Park Stadium in Exeter at 2.30am, and France v. Ireland is being played at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff at 4.45am. Then the Brave Blossoms, Japan, will look to secure their third win of the tournament when they play against the USA at Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester at 8am. The TAB odds for all of these games are below.
Head-to-head live betting (To Win)
All Blacks v. Tonga - New Zealand (suspended), Tonga ($26)
Samoa v. Scotland - Samoa ($3.70), Scotland ($1.25)
Australia v. Wales - Australia ($1.35), Wales ($3)
England v. Uruguay - England (suspended), Uruguay ($36)
Argentina v. Namibia - Argentina (suspended), Namibia ($21)
Italy v. Romania - Italy ($1.10), Romania ($6)
France v. Ireland - France ($2.15), Ireland ($1.65)
Japan v. USA - Japan ($1.22), USA ($4)
The Australians will be hoping in-form centre Matt Giteau recovers from a rib knock in time for their vital Pool A game against Wales on the weekend. The Wallabies' backline has already been hit hard with more than one injury concern, with fullback Israel Folau (ankle) and winger Rob Horne (shoulder) both in serious doubt. The Aussies will also be without star flanker Michael Hooper, who was suspended for one week for not using his arms when he charged into a ruck during the game against England last weekend. Giteau took a knock to the ribs when he was taken out without the ball by Owen Farrell during the Twickenham clash. There are reports, however, that the Australians are confident Giteau will be ready in time for Sunday morning's game. In contrast, Wales - who have been plagued by injuries all tournament - should have a full squad to choose from for this game. Fullback Liam Williams (concussion) and prop Paul James (calf) are set to return after missing their side's last game against Fiji.
Ma'a Nonu will be the sixth All Black to have played 100 tests when he takes the field this weekend against Tonga - what an amazing achievement. Have a look through this great compilation of facts that you might or might not know about the dreadlocked superstar.
Former All Blacks' frustrations began before he coached his first All Blacks test.