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The All Blacks will face Tonga in Newcastle on Friday as they look to close out their Pool C matches in style. Only a monumental upset by Tonga would have any impact on the standings, with Georgia just ahead on two points and virtual certainties to qualify for the 2019 World Cup.
New Zealand have made six changes to the team that beat Georgia in Cardiff. Tony Woodcock and Owen Franks are recalled on either side of the front row, and Luke Romano swaps with Brodie Retallick in the second row. Richie McCaw is given a day off with a sore hip, so Kieran Read deputises on the flank with Kieran Read handed the armband.
Ma’a Nonu will win his 100th cap replacing Sonny Bill Williams in the midfield, lining up beside Conrad Smith for the 59th time in a test. Out wide Nehe Milner-Skudder is in on the right wing, with Waisake Naholo shifting to the left and Julian Savea dropping out of the match day squad.
Tonga meanwhile have made only one solitary change, switching out Sione Piukala with Latiume Fosita starting in the no12 jersey for the first time. Paul Ngauamo, Jack Ram, Viliami Tahitu’a, and Will Helu are new faces among the reserves.
New Zealand have won all four matches between the two, the closest being their last meeting, a 41-10 victory in Auckland at the 2011 World Cup.
NEW ZEALAND
1 Tony Woodcock 2 Dane Coles 3 Owen Franks 4 Luke Romano 5 Sam Whitelock 6 Jerome Kaino 7 Sam Cane 8 Kieran Read (capt.) 9 Aaron Smith 10 Dan Carter 11 Waisake Naholo 12 Ma’a Nonu 13 Conrad Smith 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder 15 Ben Smith
16 Keven Mealamu 17 Wyatt Crockett 18 Ben Franks 19 Brodie Retallick 20 Liam Messam 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 22 Beauden Barrett 23 Sonny Bill Williams
TONGA
1 Soane Tonga’uiha 2 Elvis Taione 3 Halani Aulika 4 Lua Lokotui 5 Joe Tu’ineau 6 Sione Kalamafoni 7 Nili Latu (capt.) 8 Viliami Ma’afu 9 Tane Takulua 10 Kurt Morath 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo 12 Latiume Fosita 13 Siale Piutau 14 Telusa Veainu 15 Vunga Lilo
16 Paul Ngauamo 17 Sona Taumalolo 18 Sila Puafisi 19 Steve Mafi 20 Jack Ram 21 Samisoni Fisilau 22 Viliami Tahitu’a 23 Will Helu
