It wasn't quite the emphatic statement they were hoping for, but the All Blacks did at least run into more convincing form in Newcastle.

Ma'a Nonu has taken to the field for his 100th test this morning, decked out in a custom pair of boots made especially for the historic occasion.

Gallaher wore the famous jersey during the side's tour of the British Isles in 1905 with the team that was known as 'the Originals'.

Join us here for a live chat with Herald expert Wynne Gray following the World Cup match between the All Blacks and Tonga in Newcastle.

But for the All Black players, it doesn't really work like that. There is no hoodoo or curse or anything like that.

All Blacks bet France 8-7 in the 2011 RWC final. Fast-forward 4 years and Hansen and McCaw are again carrying the hopes of a rugby-mad nation.

With the All Blacks playing tomorrow morning, Scott Yeoman looks at seven things you need to know going into tonight.

All Blacks stalwart doesn't want his 100th test milestone to outshine his team's journey.

By tomorrow, there will only be eight teams left at the World Cup and the things that matter will suddenly change.

The three things we want to see happen when the All Blacks clash with Tonga in their final Rugby World Cup pool game tomorrow.

Sonny Bill Williams' latest antics suggest he missed his true calling: the circus.

We need to believe in what the All Blacks are doing in a pool that was decided before they even arrived in England, Andrew Mulligan writes.

All Blacks great Zinzan Brooke believes side lacks fortitude and crumple under pressure

The All Blacks are training as hard as they have under coach Steve Hansen to attempt to prevent a recurrence of their nightmare quarter-final defeat in 2007.

With no games tomorrow, and the ABs playing their last pool game on Saturday, Scott Yeoman looks at seven things you need to know

The All Blacks have had to play without their skipper before and every time they did, they won, writes Gregor Paul.

Steve Hansen is imploring Kiwis not to panic about the All Blacks' chances at the World Cup but it's doing little to convince punters

They rolled in from all parts of the rugby world, some of them outstanding All Blacks wanting to pay tribute to an old mate.

As Ma'a Nonu stands on the brink of his 100th test for the All Blacks, his coach remembers an awkward conversation.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen on what the squad is doing now to avoid repeat of nightmare quarter-final defeat to France.

An East Auckland cafe owner is so confident the All Blacks will win the Rugby World Cup that he's willing to bet your breakfast on it.

Steve Hansen calms fears on All Blacks captain's thigh injury: "We're okay with it and people who are anxious about it don't need to be anxious."

OPINION: The man in the middle of the All Blacks Georgia mess remains untouched - why, asks Chris Rattue.

With two Rugby World Cup games tomorrow morning Scott Yeoman looks at seven things you need to know going into tonight.

All Blacks use their day off to have a wander through historic towns, including one which is home to UK's best pies.

There may be a bit of tinkering on the bench but other than that, it's hard to see many other changes from the side side that went up against Georgia.