All Blacks v Tonga

[Lizard]

Shag seems to have second thoughts after saying he would name a full-strength side for this last warm-up before the RWC. No Coles or Cane in the pack. TJP starts ahead of Smith. Beauden and Ben are restored to their usual positions.

Here is the squad:

1. Joe Moody (40)
2. Codie Taylor (44)
3. Nepo Laulala (19)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (24)
5. Samuel Whitelock (111)
6. Ardie Savea (38)
7. Matt Todd (20)
8. Kieran Read - captain (121)
9. TJ Perenara (58)
10. Beauden Barrett (77)
11. George Bridge (4)
12. Ryan Crotty (44)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (37)
14. Sevu Reece (2)
15. Ben Smith (79)

Reserves
16. Liam Coltman (5)
17. Ofa Tuungafasi (29)
18. Angus Ta'avao (7)
19. Scott Barrett (30)
20. Luke Jacobson (1)
21. Aaron Smith (86)
22. Josh Ioane *
23. Jordie Barrett (11)

[Lizard]

Frankly, I'm almost more interested in the Curtain Raiser.

New Zealand Barbarians Legends Squad:
Mana Ashford, Monty Betham, Jason Chandler, Loki Crichton, Dave Dillon, Rhys Duggan, Ross Filipo, Troy Flavell, Corey Flynn, Rico Gear, Craig Glendinning, Jarod Hoeata, Tony Koonwaiyou, Tone Kopelani, Wairangi Koopu, Johnny Leo’o, Slade McFarlane, Cameron McIntyre, Matt Mustchin, Sonny Parker, Matua Parkinson, Kevin Senio, Chris Smylie, Carlos Spencer, Sherwin Stowers, Rua Tipoki, Ofisa Tonu’u, Tane Tu’ipolotu, Scott Waldrom, Ruben Wiki

Pacific Legends Squad:
Inoke Afeaki, Tomasi Cama, Graham Dewes, DJ Forbes, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, Frank Halai, Jeff Ierome, Roy Kinikinilau, Nili Latu, Filipo Levi, Lua Lokotui, Laisa Maasi, Deacon Manu, Seilala Mapusua, Onehunga Mata’uiau, Luke Mealamu, Mikaele Pesamino, Junior Poluleuigaga, John Senio, Semo Sititi, Hale T Pole, Justin Va’a, To’o Vaega, Samiu Vahafolau, Lesley Vainikolo, Silao Vaisola-Sefo, Tanner Vili, Gavin Williams, Radike Samo

[morepork]

Man. there are some blasts from the past there.

[Lizard]

Man. there are some blasts from the past there.

I expect there will be some (attempted) unnecessarily large hits by blokes old enough to know better. The leaguies will obviously have a point to prove.

[morepork]

There will be the big fasi balasi all round, beers and declarations of "you're a good cunt", then 2 months of shot knees and back pain.

[cashead]

54-0, with the second half to come.

[Lizard]

Jeebus. Could be a record for NZ v Tonga. Current record is 102-0 in 2000.

[zer0]

Sincerely hope that B.Smith's running wild against a Tongan B team doesn't cancel out his three poor performances against top line Argentine, Australian and South African sides.

[Silvercloud]

Up in the middle of the night here, but totally worth it! Great to see Bender having a great hit out again and the ABs starting to fizz. Hopefully they can keep focused and can give the newbies a hit out.

[Lizard]

NZ have previously scored 50+ in a first half on 4 occasions. On three of those they have gone on to notch up a century:

v Japan, RWC1995, HT 84-3, FT 145-17
v Italy, RWC1999, HT 51-3, FT 101-3
v Portugal, RWC2007, HT 52-3, FT 108-13
V Fiji, 2005, HT 50-0, FT 91-0

[morepork]

What happened in the curtain raiser? Was it Fire Club?