RWC Pool A: New Zealand vs Tonga, Fri 9 Sep 9:30am; Pre/During/Post Match Thread

New Zealand:
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Richard Kahui, 13 Ma’a Nonu, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Isaia Toeava, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan,
8 Victor Vito, 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Cory Jane.

Tonga:
15 Vunga Lilo, 14 Viliame Iongi, 13 Suka Hufanga, 12 Andrew Ma’ilei, 11 Siale Piutau, 10 Kurt Morath, 9 Taniela Moa,
8 Viliami Ma’afu, 7 Finau Maka (c), 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 Joe Tu’ineau, 4 Paino Hehea, 3 Taufa’ao Filise, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Soane Tonga’uiha.

Replacements: 16 Ephraim Taukafa, 17 Alisona Taumalolo, 18 Kisi Pulu, 19 Sione Timani, 20 Samiu Vahafolau, 21 Samisoni Fisilau, 22 Alipate Fatafehi.

Date: Friday, September 9
Kick-off: 20.30 (08.30 GMT)
Venue: Eden Park Stadium, Auckland
Weather: Dry. Day time high: 18°C; Evening low: 7°C
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Stuart Terheege (England)
Television match official: Giulio De Santis (Italy)

http://wc.planetrugby.com/news/view/preview_new_zealand_v_tonga_253292

The opening ceremony of the tournament takes place right before the game.

Big talking point for New Zealand will be the performance of Sonny Bill Williams and how it will influence his future role during the tournament. He's got all the skills but he still looks a bit 'green' to rugby, he seems to always offload rather than take contact and place the ball back in a ruck when that's the correct option. If Dagg plays well at fullback, he's got a shot at displacing Muliana.

I admit I know little to nothing about the Tonga side, bar their front row. We all know about Tonga'uiha, he's one of the best looseheads in the world at the moment while Filise is a strong tighthead who plays for Cardiff Blues.

ABs by at least 40 I'd say, they won't want to start off badly.