All Blacks prepare to change gears as quarter-finals loom

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen would ideally like his side to strike up a rhythm to their patterns in their final pool match before a quarter-final date with either France or Ireland.

It seems an aeon ago that the All Blacks enjoyed a proper Test-match tussle when Argentina gave them a rattle before succumbing. Since then their performances have lacked the adrenaline surge and intensity that comes from a genuine challenge.

Richie McCaw sits out this match with a hip injury, with San Cane coming in and the captaincy going to number eight Kieran Read.

The bad news for Tonga – and there isn't much good – is that the All Blacks have won all eight matches previously when Read has led the side.

Hansen would like to see Ma'a Nonu, who wins his 100th cap, back to his best, with sterner challenges lying ahead.

Nonu will also extend his world record centre partnership with Conrad Smith, one they pinched from Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy.

Tonga’s coach Mana Otai may have been indulging in a little whistling past the graveyard when he ventured: “It [victory] is possible. We showed that back in 2011 [when Tonga beat France] and it has been seen during this tournament.

Pumped

“Who would have thought Japan would beat South Africa? The belief is still with us. When we analyse the Georgia game we did a lot better than the scoreline suggested. These guys are so pumped and ready for the game.”

There is no doubt that the fiercely proud Tongans will be up for the physical battle but they’ll have to retain an element of control. They have conceded an average of 13 penalties a match in the tournament and a repeat of that statistic will be hugely punitive in scoreboard terms.

New Zealand have scored 41, 45 and 91 points in three previous World Cup matches against Tonga but the scoreline in itself won't interest Hansen unduly. What he might prefer is the momentum that a high-quality performance would engender.