New Zealand vs Tonga
International
3:35am Saturday 7th September
Winger George Bridge scored four attempts as Tonga 92-7 in their last game defeated before safeguarding their Rugby World Cup title in 36, while centre Ryan Crotty and Ben Smith scored annually.
The very first attempt of bridge was among eight scored from the All Blacks in the first half, and they led 54-0, as New Zealand brought their tally into 14 for the match and he added three in the second half.
Smith scored both of his attempts in the first half, carrying his way back into form with perfect time ahead of New Zealand’s World Cup opener against South Africa in Yokohama on September 21.
Beauden Barrett kicked seven positions, playing just the first half, after taking over the goal and Josh Ioane added four to his debut.
New Zealand nevertheless fell short in the record winning margin against Tonga which stands at 2000.
Tonga, ranked 15 on earth, showed an indomitable spirit by holding New Zealand scoreless for the past 15 minutes and scoring the last try of the match via captain Siale Piutau.
New Zealand took eight minutes to score his first try and the floodgates opened as on the ball barely touched as they played into a stiff breeze of
Bridge recorded his next try by catching the kick-off which started the second half as the scoreline mounted 24, and also running in almost unopposed.
Hooker Codie Taylor, scrum-half T.J. Perenara, and back rows Matt Todd, Ardie Savea and ruler Kieran Read also scored before the All Blacks‘ attack fizzled towards the end of the match.
„It’s our last hit-out together and I guess we have got two months between today and our initial (World Cup) match,“ Read said.
„It was very important we only kept building and it’s the exciting part from here .
„We just wanted to keep control. You’ve got to earn the right to evaluate tries such as we did and if wingers are scoring attempts on the sideline which usually means you are doing a good job on the interior.“
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