The All Black pack needs to be hell bent on sending a message - that they mean business. In other words - destroy every scrum, blow Tonga off the field at ruck and maul, smash the hell out of them on defence.
I'd like to see the forwards driving the ball through the middle, using the pick and go. The only time we have done this in the past few years was in the second half of the recent test against Australia.
The All Blacks have used this tactic intermittently near opponents' goal lines but not often enough in general play and it's time they reverted to this hard-nosed game.
The All Blacks certainly won't be hampered by any complacency, having lost their last two tests. This will give them an edge and they will want to prove a point to all the critics.
I'm quite comfortable with the team selection for this match but Graham Henry needs to learn the lessons from the last World Cup. The All Blacks have to give all their players a game and this is the best time to ensure that happens.
By the same token, we don't need wholesale changes from here on. The selections must be kept tight.
I certainly hope this will not be 2007 all over again - it can't be rotation, rotation, rotation.
The likelihood is that the top line-up will start against Japan and changes will occur quickly during that match.
The best team - with perhaps a couple of exceptions - should also be selected for the final pool game against Canada.
Tonight's's match can set the tone for the whole tournament and I'm expecting a wonderful occasion.
The reception for the Tongans this week was amazing - I never realised there were so many Tongans living here.
And Samoa and Tonga are not here to make up the numbers.
Tonga will fight to the death if the All Blacks give them a chance.
