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Player ratings: Blown away

Tonga held their own in the first half and took the game to their more-fancied opponents, which saw them trail 3-14 at the half-time interval but their bodies could simply not handle the increased intensity.

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The Pacific Islanders showed plenty of courage and determination on defence while their scrumming blew New Zealand out of the water in the first half.

Tauriq Ebrahim rates the Tongan players!

Player ratings: Blown away15 Vungakoto Lilo

Barely saw the ball which contributed to him not having many attacking opportunities.

4/10

14 Telusa Veainu

Did not have much to do throughout his time on the park.

4/10

13 Siale Piutau

Simply outstanding on defence, which is pretty much all he did.

5/10

12 Latiume Fosita

Popped up everywhere with strong carries and an excellent work-rate on defence that saw him win the most turnovers.

8/10

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11 Fetu'u Vainikolo

A thorn in the All Blacks' side with ball-in-hand as he stepped his way around numerous defenders.

8/10

10 Kurt Morath

His pack gave him an ideal platform to get his backline going but his main contribution game with his boot.

4/10

Player ratings: Blown away9 Sonatane Takulua

Set the tempo of the match while his overall awareness was on point.

7/10

8 Viliami Ma'afu

Incredible work on defence that set the tone for the rest of the team.

6/10

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7 Nili Latu (captain)

Led from the front and set the tone for the rest of the team to follow on defence.

6/10

6 Sione Kalamafoni

Another player whose defensive work-rate and tackle count was simply sublime.

7/10

5 Joseph Tuineau

Seemed like all the action happened around him.

3/10

4 Tukulua Lokotui

Great effort in all facets of his game that he saw him hand his side some much needed momentum.

6/10

Player ratings: Blown away3 Halani 'Aulika

His only real contribution came at scrum time, other than that, he was pretty much unseen.

5/10

2 Elvis Taione

Massive effort when he had the ball and provided the perfect anchor in the scrums.

7/10

1 Soane Tonga'uiha

Absolutely dominant at scrum time, complemented with a high work rate on defence.

6/10

Replacements:

16 Paula Ngauamo (on for Taione, 49 mins)

His only real contribution was being sent off and costing his team.

0/10

17 Sona Taumalolo (on for Tonga'uiha, 55 mins)

Nothing too spectacular about him on the night.

4/10

18 Sila Puafisi (on for 'Aulika, 69 mins)

Not enough time to be rated.

19 Sitiveni Mafi (on for Tuineau, 54 mins)

Attempted to maintain the high defensive tempo but over did it on a few occasions.

4/10

20 Jack Ram (on for Ma'afu, 66 mins)

Not enough time to be rated.

21 Samisoni Fisilau (on for Takulua, 69 mins)

Not enough time to be rated.

22 Viliami Tahitu'a (on for Morath, 62 mins)

Could not make any real impact during his time on the park.

4/10

23 Will Helu (on for Veainu, 66 mins)

Not enough time to be rated.

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