All Blacks star ruled out of Tonga match

Their final Pool C game is their last chance to erase any anxieties before the competition goes into sudden death.

The only way he would have surpassed the mark was if he had played in every game as far as the World Cup final, assuming the reigning world champions would make it that far.

Prop Charlie Faumuina (hamstring) is the only other unavailable player as coach Steve Hansen names a strong line-up with a view to building a few momentum going into the quarter-finals.

He is confident that any problems are being rectified and a thorough work out against Tonga will top things off.

“One only has to remember their last pool match, against France in 2011, to know that if you don’t turn up, they will make life hard for you”.

Carter, trying to heal abrasive showcases along with a contrary putting detection, gets comfortable with Ma’a Nonu outside him instead of Sonny Bill Williams.

Nonu said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to win my 100th cap”.

Another feature of the backline is Nehe Milner-Skudder on the right wing, with Waisake Naholo replacing Julian Savea on the left.

There are six starting changes from the patchy win over Georgia, including two in the front row where veterans Tony Woodcock and Owen Franks are restored to starting roles. However, Nonu was not always viewed as a player with such a bright future in Test rugby, with Hansen revealing that in 2004 he told Nonu that he was not up at Test level.

“He can have a breather and it gives Liam [Messam] an opportunity to come off the bench and get a few footy and Sam [Cane] can get a start”.

However, coach Steve Hansen downplayed the previously unreported thigh injury, saying McCaw had suffered a knock but he would have played had the stakes been higher. “If we don’t win that game we go home”, Hansen said.

“If this was the quarter-final he would be playing”, he said.

Tonga face a tough task ahead of them, needing victory against the All Blacks to finish third in the pool and gain an automatic spot for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

After visiting the base of the Middlesbrough football club – which is on the grounds of the All Blacks’ palatial base outside Darlington – Smith walked away with a team jersey complete with No20 on the back.

Tonga centre Siale Piutau, whose All Black brother Charles missed the cut for the World Cup, said the All Blacks have weak points but it will take a total effort to exploit them.