New Zealand ran in 13 tries to one for a comfortable 91–7 victory over Tonga in the Pool D clash on a rain soaked Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane tonight.
Leon MacDonald was the main beneficiary of the All Black dominance. Playing in the unfamiliar role of outside centre MacDonald had a flawless kicking display with 12 conversions from as many attampts and chipped in with a try for 29 points.
The New Zealand back three, left wing Caleb Ralph, right wing Doug Howlett and full back Mils Muliaina revelled in the wealth of possession to score two tries each.
The All Blacks had their bonus point by half time to lead 35-0 at the break and were able to step it up a gear in the second spell to score eight more tries and record the highest score of the Tournament to date.
Although their hands let them down at times, the All Blacks’ produced a dazzling display as the rain continued to tumble throughout the match.
Tonga had a moment to saviour in the 55th minute when fly half Pierre Hola brilliantly held an intercept pass from All Black scrum half Justin Marshall to score under the posts against the run of play.
The plucky Pacific Islanders never gave up and finished with a strong surge and shuddered a number of the All Blacks with some trademark big defence through out the match.
But All Black dominance of set pieces laid the foundation for wave after wave of attack orchestrated by fly half Carlos Spencer who set his lethal finishers free with space to manoeuvre.
All Black second rower Ali Williams returned from a fractured foot with an assured display that will please coach John Mitchell.
His locking partner Brad Thorn continued his rampant form both in the lineouts and with the ball in hand.
Muliaina scored one of the tries of the Tournament, beating seven defenders in a dazzling journey to the try line on 56 minutes to make the score 61-7 lead.
New Zealand will hope to keep their perfect Pool D record in tact against Wales at Sydney’s Telstra Stadium on November 2.
Tonga will be playing for pride when they take on Canada in Wollongong on 29 October.
Scorers:
New Zealand 91
Tries: Caleb Ralph 2, Mils Muliaina 2, Doug Howlett 2, Daniel Braid, Corey Flynn, Daniel Carter, Carlos Spencer, , Kees Meeus, Leon MacDonald, Penalty try
Conversions: MacDonald 12, Carlos Spencer
Tonga 7
Tries: Pierre Hola
Conv: Sateki Tu’ipulotu