The New Zealand All Blacks will face the Tonga National Rugby Union Team in a 2015 Rugby World Cup match on Friday (October 9), 3 pm ET, at St James Park in Newcastle. Eyeing the top spot in the Pool C rankings, the New Zealand All Blacks will need to squeeze out a point over the Tonga National Rugby Union Team on Friday to achieve such goal. Should the New Zealand All Blacks fail to achieve their goal in the rugby match against the Tonga National Rugby Union Team, the Rugby World Cup champs will still have a secured spot in the final eight this season. As for the Tonga National Rugby Union Team, the squad failed to beat the Pumas of South Africa - a situation that will require them to win this upcoming rugby match to clinch a spot in the quarter-finals. Moreover, the Tonga National Rugby Union Team are eyeing to displace Georgia from the third place.
While considered as the underdogs for this upcoming match against the New Zealand All Blacks, Tonga National Rugby Union Team captain Nili Lutu is optimistic of his group's chances of beating the defending champions. He shared, "Hopefully tomorrow will be the day that the All Blacks are caught cold." Nili Lutu added, "We are going to take the game to the All Blacks. Sometimes when you fight fire with fire, you get burned, but that's how we will play tomorrow. It would definitely be the highlight of my career if we do beat the All Blacks."
As for the New Zealand All Blacks, the team's mighty captain, Richie McCaw, will be sidelined in the upcoming rugby match. In his place will be Kieran Read, who has been the team's go-to player this season whenever Richie McCaw's thigh issues pose problems for the rugby team. "If we were playing a final he [Richie McCaw] would be fine, but we're not prepared to take any risks with anyone who is not 100 percent," noted New Zealand All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen. He added, "He can have a breather. It's just not worth risking it. We're OK with it, and if people are anxious about it they don't have to be. He would be available to play if this was the quarter-final."
The 2015 Rugby World Cup will see the New Zealand All Blacks field the following stars: Tony Woodcock, Sam Cane, Ben Smith, Dana Coles, Kieran Read and Conrad Smith. Ma'a Nonu and Daniel Carter will also take part of the New Zealand All Blacks lineup. Fans and followers of the rugby team could also expect to see Owen Franks, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock and Nehe Milner-Skudder in the field. Rounding up the New Zealand All Blacks lineup are Luke Romano, Aaron Smith and Waisake Naholo. As for the Tonga National Rugby Union Team, the crowd will see Soane Tonga'uiha, Vungakoto Lilo and Kurt Morath in the field representing the group. Elvis Taione, Telusa Veainu and Tukulua Lokotui be brandishing the Tonga flag as well. Joining the face off against the New Zealand All Blacks are Halani Aulika, Latiume Fosita, Viliami Ma'afu and Sonatane Takulua. Rounding up the Tonga National Rugby Union Team are Joseph Tuineau, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Nili Latu, Siale Piutau and Sione Kalamafoni.
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You can check out the official Rugby World Cup website to get a complete list of current standings and scores for the 2015 games.
To watch the games free via live stream, you can access the broadcast at Universal Sports. For up-to-date game coverage and live feeds, please check out Fox Sports (AUS), ITV Player (UK), Sky Go (NZ) and SuperSport (SA).
For additional team television and radio station affiliates: New Zealand All Blackss and Tonga National Rugby Union Team.
And official rugby team websites: New Zealand All Blackss and Tonga National Rugby Union Team.
