New Zealand will take on Tonga in a Pool D match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Friday, 24 October.
Form guide
New Zealand recorded resounding wins in their first two matches of RWC 2003, securing a bonus point in each, to leave them sitting on top of Pool D with 10 points.
The All Blacks were untroubled running in 11 tries in their 70-7 win over Italy, the only major concern a potential Tournament ending knee injury to classy centre Tana Umaga.
They followed this win with a 68-6 victory over Canada. Mils Muliaina, playing on the wing in this match, scored fourof their 10 tries.
Centre Daniel Carter, taking over the kicking duties from Carlos Spencer, also impressed with nine conversions to finish with 18 points.
In their opening match against Italy, Tonga were well in the game, trailing by just 16-12 with 10 minutes to go, but failed to get any rhythm in the match against a dominant Italian forward pack, eventually going down 36-12.
Tonga performed similarly against Wales, always in the game and even scoring more tries than their opponents, but still losing 27-20 in a rain soaked match in Canberra.
Previous meetings
The All Blacks have won the only two previous encounters between Tonga beating them 102-0 in June 2000 and 45-9 in their clash at Rugby World Cup 1999.
Ins and outs
New Zealand lock Ali Williams will make his Rugby World Cup debut against Tonga after overcoming a stress fracture in his foot.
This match will be Justin Marshall's 67th, making him the most capped back in All Black history.
"He is a true warrior. The guy is outstanding, a real competitor. He's a guy you'd go to war with,'' Mitchell said of the scrum half.
Leon MacDonald comes in at centre, from where he will have responsibility for the goalkicking, and Muliaina returns to full back.
Utility back Ben Atiga, called up to replace the injured Ben Blair, is in line for his Test debut after being named on the bench for the first time, while lock Brad Thorn will be returning to Suncorp Stadium where he played many matches for rugby league side Brisbane Broncos.
Tonga will again be without their captain Inoke Afeaki who is still troubled by knee ligament damage. His place on the side of the scrum is taken by his brother Stanley.
Key players
Tonga start with full back Sila Va’enuku for this game after his man of the match performance against Wales, which saw him run a length of the field intercept and stop many attacking Welsh raids.
Aiding him will be scrum half Sililo Martens and Sydney based centre John Payne, who scored a try in Tonga's first match.
For New Zealand sprint king Doug Howlett, touted by many as the best winger in the world, is always a danger, whilst half back Marshall, in his historic match, will likely have a dominant influence on the proceedings.
What it means
With a quarter final berth vitrually assured, the All Blacks will be looking to build on their good form from previous matches while also looking for improvements in ball retention and the line out.
They will also be hoping to come through the match injury free after suffering injuries to several key players.
What they said
Tonga coach Jim Love on facing the one of the Tournament favourites:
"We'll definitely go out with the attitude to win the game and not just keep the score down," he said.
"Its all about excitement and its all about introducing new things which are going to inject new enjoyment in the game."
Match details
New Zealand v Tonga
17:30
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Pablo Deluca
Touch judges: Chris White and Donal Courtney
Television match official: Iain Ramage