Wayne Smith has declared Tonga’s expected physical challenge as the perfect test for the All Blacks to begin their World Cup examination at Auckland’s Eden Park tonight.

Question marks hang over the relative strength of the All Blacks pool, a problem that has hindered them in past tournaments.

But the bruising encounter the All Blacks face in the tournament opener from Tonga certainly isn’t a challenge they will back away from.

In fact it’s one they welcome.

Smith said they had reviewed Tonga’s last World Cup efforts where they went close to upsetting both finalists England and South Africa in a pool they could well have qualified from.

Many of those personnel would front up again tonight and they deserved the utmost respect and a totally ruthless attitude from the All Blacks.

You can catch Ilivasi Tabua with the new voice of rugby, Malakai Veisamasama for the live commentary of the All Blacks vs Tonga match at 8.30 tonight on Viti FM.


Story by: Dreu Vukailagi