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Rugby World Cup | Group Stage
Oct 9, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
New Zealand
47-9
Tonga
Smith (13'), Woodcock (31'), Milner-Skudder (53', 58'), Bill Williams (66'), Cane (70'), Nonu (77')
FT

Steve Hansen makes six New Zealand changes for Tonga contest

Ma'a Nonu returns to make his 100th All Blacks appearance as Steve Hansen makes six changes to his starting XV for the Rugby World Cup Pool C contest against Tonga.

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has made six changes to his starting XV for the All Blacks' final Pool C contest against Tonga on Friday night.

Captain Richie McCaw misses out on matchday 23 with a sore hip, so number-eight Kieran Read will take the armband for the game at St James' Park in Newcastle.

McCaw's absence means that he can only equal Jason Leonard's World Cup appearance record of 22 if he features in all three knockout matches should New Zealand advance that far.

In the backs, Ma'a Nonu returns at inside-centre to become the sixth All Black to reach 100 career Test appearances.

He will start alongside Conrad Smith, meaning that the duo extend the world record for a starting centre combination to 59 matches.

New Zealand will guarantee top spot in the group and face the loser of the match between France and Ireland with a win on Friday night.

New Zealand: Woodcock, Coles, O. Franks; Romano, Whitelock; Kaino, Cane; Read; A. Smith, Carter, Naholo, Nonu, C. Smith, Milner-Skudder, B. Smith
Replacements: Mealamu, Crockett, B. Franks, Retallick, Messam, Kerr-Barlow, Barrett, Bill Williams

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Waisake Naholo (C) of the New Zealand All Blacks celebrates scoring the opening try with Conrad Smith and Aaron Smith (L) of the New Zealand All Blacks during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between New Zealand and Georgia at the Millennium Stadium
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