Newcastle, England: New Zealand will be without injured captain Richie McCaw against Tonga for their last Pool C game at the Rugby World Cup on Friday, but selected an otherwise strong line-up that included Ma’a Nonu for his 100th test appearance.
McCaw has a sore hip, having hobbled off during the 43-10 win over Georgia in Cardiff last Friday with what he said were shin and quad injuries.
Prop Charlie Faumuina (hamstring) was the only other unavailable player for the All Blacks, who have won their first three games to advance to the quarter-finals.
Seeking some momentum to take into the knockout stages, New Zealand retained Dan Carter at fly-half for the match in Newcastle despite his disappointing display against Georgia. Tony Woodcock and Owen Franks were recalled as coach Steve Hansen continued to rotate his props, Luke Romano replaced Brodie Retallick at lock, and Sam Cane took over from McCaw at openside flanker.
Nonu, who will become the sixth New Zealander to play 100 tests, and winger Nehe Milner-Skudder were the two changes to the backline. Waisake Naholo, who switches to the left wing, was handed a second straight start as he builds full fitness after ten weeks out with a broken leg.
The defending champions have yet to hit peak form in what appeared to be a straightforward pool, which also contains Argentina and Namibia.
“This week, we’ve been looking to freshen the group up and really concentrate on the key parts of our game,” Hansen said. “We’re now getting to an exciting part of the competition — one game out from knockout footy.”
It will be the fifth meeting between New Zealand and Tonga, and the fourth at a Rugby World Cup. New Zealand maintained their unbeaten record in the fixture by beating the Tongans 41-10 in the opening match of the 2011 World Cup.
“We know the Tongans will be very physical and bring everything to this pool match,” Hansen said. “One only has to remember their last pool match, against France in 2011, to know that, if you don’t turn up, they will make life difficult for you.”
Nonu missed the win over Georgia because of a shoulder injury but was always expected to return against Tonga. He is one of four All Blacks centurions in the match day squad, along with Carter, Woodcock and reserve hooker Keven Mealamu.
“He has been an incredibly valued member of our group for a very long time,” Hansen said. “He has been fully committed to enhancing the All Blacks jersey and the values that go with it.”
New Zealand will play either France or Ireland in the quarter-finals.
