Hosts Open World Cup With Simplest of Ease

New Zealand 41  -  10  Tonga

In previous encounters Tonga have been on the wrong end of some pretty  awful scores,  the sides first met in the world cup back in 1999, when New Zealand were 45-9 winners, Tonga also lost in 2000 by an incredible score of 102-0 and in the 2003 world cup they lost 91-7.

Sonny Bill Williams was on top form today

As the hosts of the competition there is alot of pressure to  perform, and with that a few on the All Blacks looked slightly nervous from the whistle, but on the 4th Minute those nerves were put aside, as Dan Carter kicked over a penalty after desperate tackling from Tonga saw them pinged for killing the ball. Carters penalty saw his tally go to 1,235, incredible from test rugby’s record points scorer.

After some ping pong rugby after the penalty the hosts were soon back on the score board this time with a try, It was good work from Kaino at a ruck to turn Tongan ball over. From an All Blacks scrum, Kahui broke free, and was back in the move again as Carter, Sonny Bill Williams, and Nonu combine to put Israel Dagg over for the first try of this World Cup. Carter surprisingly missed the conversion proves he is human afterall.

That try saw the All Blacks finally find their feet in this game , 8 minutes later they were over the line again,  a long pass from Nonu set Sonny Bill Williams away. His blind pass out the back of his hand put  Toeava through one-on-one with the full-back, and he put Richard Kahui clear. The wing stepped inside the cover to score the All Blacks’ second try. This time Carter converted.

2 minutes later it seemed like New Zealand were in for their third try, as Sonny Bill Williams crosses the line but Irish referee George Clancy says no try and awards Tonga a penalty for crossing as Williams went over, on the replay it was the correct decision.

Tonga were creating very little chances for themselves and never looked like a threat in this first half in fact one of their only chances to attack the All Blacks came on the 29th minute when Ali Williams lost the ball in contact and the ball was turned over, Tonga tried to play the phases but eventually they managed to lose possession and their opportunity was lost.

3 minutes later the mighty All Blacks scored their 3rd try of the game, Richie McCaw and Andrew Hore managed to force another turnover, and the All Blacks were swiftly on their way to their third try. Toeava made a dent, another great offload from Sonny Bill Williams, and Israel Dagg streaks in at the left corner for his second try. Carter converted from wide out.

 The rest of the half became a stroll in the park and soon after a fourth try and the first Rugby World Cup 2011 bonus point. Kaino showed some deft hands and Dagg brushed off his tackler far too easily before offloading out the back of his hand to Richard Kahui who scooted past full-back Lilo for his second try, in the right corner this time. Carter converts again.

 Right on the stroke of half time Tonga were finally on the scoreboard, with New Zealand infringing at the ruck, Fly-half Kurt Morath landed the penalty, but possibly not enough to alter the way this game was going.  Referee George Clancy blows his whistle, and that’s half-time.

At the beginning of the second half after some great attacking play from both sides New Zealand were back on the board with nearly 20 minutes of the second half gone, The All Blacks stir themselves, Weepu whipped out a pass to Kahui, who performed a textbook chip and chase, collected his own kick, and in the same instant sent an inside pass to the supporting Jerome Kaino who crosses over. Quality score. Carter’s conversion bounced back off a post.

With 10 minutes to go in the game a try purely out of Pride for Tonga, Replacement prop Sona Taumalolo leaped over a ruck and managed to get the ball down, after George Clancy got confirmation from the TMO that the try was scored, Kurt Morath added the conversion and Tonga strangely were winning the second half 7-5.

Right at the death to kill the game off for once and for all if they hadn’t done so already New Zealand grabbed a 6^th try. Another Sonny Bill Williams offload, nice delayed passes from Weepu and then Slade, who put the try on a plate for Ma’a Nonu right under the posts. Slade converted.

And that was the game, the hosts happy to open up the competition with a nice bonus point win.  The All Blacks sit top of pool A. 

New Zealand: Israel Dagg; Richard Kahui, Ma’a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Isaia Toeava; Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan; Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (capt), Victor Vito. Replacements: Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Anthony Boric, Sam Whitelock, Piri Weepu, Colin Slade, Cory Jane.

Tonga: Vungakoto Lilo; Viliame ‘Iongi, Sukanaivalu Hufanga, Andrew Ma’ilei, Siale Piutau; Kurt Morath, Taniela Moa; Soane Tonga’uiha, Aleki Lutui, Taufa’ao Felise, Paino Hehea, Joseph Ti’neau, Sione Kalamafoni, Finau Maka (capt), Viliami Ma’afu. Replacements: Ephraim Taukafa; Alisona Taumalolo; Kisi Pulu; Sione Timani; Samiu Vahafolau; Samisoni Fisilau; Alipate Fatafehi.

 Referee: George Clancy (IRL)

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.