New Zealand is looking to finish their 2015 Rugby World Cup, or RWC, group stage campaign on top of the Pool C standings as the All Blacks take on Tonga in Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Friday. New Zealand sits atop the group rankings with three wins and four points clear of Argentina, while Tonga tries to attempt a third place finish in the pool stage.

The All Blacks is looking to finish strong in the group stage of the RWC as coach Steve Hansen opted for six changes to their starting XV that defeated Georgia 43-10 on Friday, Oct. 2. Ma’a Nonu, who has recovered from a shoulder injury, will be back in the starting lineup to play his 100th Test appearance, but New Zealand will be without its captain, Richie McCaw, who suffered a minor hip injury during their victory against the Georgians.

Hansen will rest McCaw for their final RWC Pool C fixture as a precaution, with Sam Cane replacing his post at openside flanker and No. 8 Kieran Read captaining the side. Hansen said that the All Blacks are not prepared to take any risks with any of the players not in full health.

"If we were playing a final, he would be fine, but we are just not prepared to take any risks with anyone that is not 100 percent,” Hansen said, according to Sky Sports. “We've had plenty of gasps from home before, but we're okay with it and the people that are anxious about it don't need to be anxious."

Hansen also expects the Tongans to be very physical in the final pool match, citing Tonga’s last pool game against France in 2011, when the Pacific Islanders defeated the Les Bleus 19-14.

"We've had a very heavy workload in the last two weeks on the training pitch and a couple of very physical games, which has been great,” Hansen added. "But this week we've been looking to freshen up the group and really concentrate on key parts of our game that we expect will deliver a quality, 80-minute performance on Friday night.”

Tonga coach Mana Otai has made one change to his team that lost against Argentina 45-16 during the weekend. Latiume Fosita will replace Sione Piukala at inside-centre, while six Tongans will make their fourth start at the RWC 2015.

According to World Rugby, Tonga’s starting lineup against the All Blacks is slightly younger than the one that faced Argentina on Oct. 4., which was said to be the World Cup’s oldest rotation ever. Tonga’s starting XV also has 360 tests' worth of experience than their most recent rotation.

Tonga must beat the New Zealand and hope Argentina loses to Namibia in their final game if they are to reach the last eight rounds of the quadrennial rugby tournament.

Team lineup (Courtesy of Sky Sports):

New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith; 1 Tony Woodcock, 2 Dane Coles, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Luke Romano, 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Kieran Read (capt). Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Sonny Bill Williams.

Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Telusa Veainu, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Latiume Fosita, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Kurt Morath, 9 Sonatane Takulua; 1 Soane Tonga'uiha, 2 Elvis Taione, 3 Halani Aulika, 4 Tukulua Lokotui, 5 Joseph Tuineau, 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Nili Latu (capt), 8 Viliami Ma'afu. Replacements: 16 Paula Ngauamo, 17 Sona Taumalolo, 18 Sila Puafisi, 19 Sitiveni Mafi, 20 Jack Ram, 21 Samisoni Fisilau, 22 Viliami Tahitua, 23 Will Helu.

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