New Zealand v Tonga

The 2011 Rugby World Cup kicked off with a convincing if slightly underwhelming 41-10 victory for the All Blacks. More importantly for Coach Graham Henry the side appears to have come out of a physical encounter with a clean bill of health and many of the fringe players used played well, especially the back three.

Early talk of 80 points always sounded a bit extreme but New Zealand would have expected to break the 50 point barrier but a spirited second half display from a tough Tongan outfit ground the second half to a bit of a standstill. The All Blacks did manage to run in six well taken tries, four coming in a emphatic first half display and could have scored more if not for some excellent defence and erratic play.

Israel Dagg (right) scored opening tty

Dan Carter landed the first points of the tournament, who wouldn’t have predicted that one, to give the hosts an early 3-0 lead and it wasn’t long before Israel Dagg crossed for the game and the tournaments opening try finishing off a good break from Richard Kahui. It was Kahui who was on hand to round off a superb move minutes later collecting a pass from fellow wing  Isaia Toeava following a behind the back no look pass from Sonny Bill Williams. 

Williams again turned on the magic to set up Dagg for his second with a majestic offload before Dagg turned provider once more to set up Kahui for his second.  Tonga finally getting on the board right on half time through a penalty from Kurt Morath but the first half belonged to the All Blacks and three may who may not have been starting if the opposition was stronger. 

Star Man Jerome Kaino

The second half never lived up to the standards of the first as Tonga were able to wrestle control and upped their game and the All Blacks with the game in the bag took their foot off the gas. Toeava came close to opening his account but his foot was just in touch before grounding the ball and Jimmy Cowan wasted a couple of glorious opportunities from turn over ball in a poor outing for the scrum half.

Jerome Kaino on the other hand had a fine game and was rewarded with a try after more good work from Kahui, the wing chip over the top before collecting the ball and passing in one movement to leave Kaino to coast in from the 22. 

Tonga finally crossed the whitewash after a sustained period of pressure following a turnover. The chance looked to have gone following repeated phases close to the New Zealand try line and a number of reset scrums but replacement Alisona Taumalolo finally got lower than the All Black defence to burrow over from short range, Morath’s conversion put the Islanders into double figures to the delight of their passionate support. New Zealand fittingly had the final say as Ma’a Nonu powered over after looping round to collect a pass from replacement fly half Colin Slade who added the extras from in front of the posts.   

There will be some in New Zealand who will point fingers on a less than emphatic performance but in truth the hosts never really got out of second gear and were always a threat with ball in hand. It will be interesting to see how many changes Graham Henry brings in for the game against Japan in a week’s time as he looks to finalise his first choice XV before what should be a pool deciding contest with France on Sept 24. Dagg, Kahui and Williams have all made a strong case for themselves but Henry will have serious doubts about Cowan’s ability to ignite a back line that should have carved a weaker opposition open with more frequency. Still job done for the All Blacks and the World Cup is now under way and ready to enthral.