Daniel Carter crashes over. (Getty Images)
ALL BLACKS SWEEP ASIDE TONGA
Click here for full match report
Click here for full match stats
Click here for minute-by-minute report
Click here for post-match reaction
Click here for updated standings
Click here for photo gallery
Click here for Fantasy League table
Click here for more World Cup headlines
Leon MacDonald turned in a goal-kicking performance of which Jonny Wilkinson would have been proud as the All Blacks turned on their awesome power to record a 91-7 victory over Tonga at the Suncorp Stadium.
The All Black centre, filling the void left by the injury to Tana Umaga, kicked a flawless 12 kicks from 12 attempts and weighed in with a try as New Zealand racked up the highest score of the World Cup so far.
It was a performance which should seal MacDonald's place in the full-strength New Zealand team when the pool matches have been successfully negotiated.
With a dramatic outpouring of aggression Tonga did manage to draw the battle of the Hakas - but they lost every other confrontation as New Zealand demonstrated what lies in store for rugby's big guns later in the tournament.
Two tries each from Mils Muliaina and Doug Howlett and 13 touchdowns in all - one a penalty try as the Tongan discipline cracked - were the headline-grabbers.
It took them a little while to get going but once they had settled any nerves with two tries from Daniel Braid and Daniel Carter midway through the first half they simply cut loose.
By half-time they had steamed into a 35-0 lead with further touchdowns from Corey Flynn, Caleb Ralph and Carlos Spencer.
And while Tonga had the consolation of an opportunist second-half try from Pierre Hola, when he intercepted Justin Marshall's pass, the All Blacks just rolled on, scoring just 40 seconds after the restart through Ralph. Prop Kees Meeuws also got in on the try stakes.
Contrary to early fears there was barely a wild tackle or a flash of temper in the match, though Sila Va'enuku was sent to the sin bin by Argentine referee Pablo Deluca for giving away persistent penalties.
|
