Brad Thorn celebrates victory. (Getty Images)

By Frank Malley, PA Chief Sports Writer, Brisbane

New Zealand coach John Mitchell has insisted that his mighty All Blacks are ready to take on the world.

The All Blacks dispatched Tonga 91-7, scoring 13 tries and recording the highest score of the World Cup so far as a storm brewed on a sultry night at the Suncorp Stadium.

It was by far the best performance by New Zealand after two rusty displays despite convincing scorelines against Italy and Canada. Now they are on course for their first big test, almost certainly against South Africa in the quarter-final.

"I thought the teamwork was a lot better tonight and the guys came off the field very satisfied," said Mitchell, a former assistant of England head coach Clive Woodward.

"But we know we are heading into a tougher phase of rugby now and we are ready. They played with a lot of effort and we had to make some tough tackles. We just executed very well."

Mitchell said they would now watch their next opponents Wales play Italy and then prepare for a likely showdown with the Welsh next weekend in a game which will decide the top of Pool D.

"We'll have a look at Wales but we treat each opponent on their merits," said Mitchell. "That's how we've already worked and we will continue to do so. We are close to drawing conclusions on our combinations. We are capable of all types of games."

That will sound a warning to the big boys after a performance which was dominated by the All Blacks' rolling maul and their ability to get the ball wide to dangerous wings Doug Howlett and Caleb Ralph. Mitchell also praised outside centre Leon MacDonald who kicked 12 goals from 12 attempts and scored a try for 29 points.

But it was 22-year-old second-row Ali Williams, returning for his first Test after suffering a broken foot, for whom Mitchell saved his warmest praise.

"Ali is thrilled," said Mitchell. "His barometer is enthusiasm. He went through a difficult period. The selectors could have left him behind. But they put their trust in him. We have coped without him but he repaid the team here."

Fly-half Carlos Spencer, who scored a first-half try and added a conversion when MacDonald was injured, also insisted the All Blacks were running into form after a low-key start to the tournament.

"We are just taking it week by week but we had to take a step up and raise the bar and we did that all round the paddock."

Tongan coach Jim Love slammed the tournament organisation which meant his side were required to play their first three games in nine days, while the All Blacks have had a full two weeks.

"It's pretty unfair, especially for a small nation like Tonga because we haven't got the depth. It shows there's a huge difference between amateurism and professionalism.

"The boys looked pretty lethargic and after playing Wales three days ago it was a struggle. They didn't have an edge.

"The All Blacks were very professional tonight and saw our weaknesses. They'll go a long way in the finals."

Love also insisted that the Tongans had respected the All Black Haka, even though they started their own symbolic dance of aggression at the start of the match before the New Zealand routine was finished.

"Protocol was adhered to," said Love. "We waited to go second but it is tradition that ours starts before the All Blacks are finished."