Tonga warm-up match a "big game" says All Blacks' captain Kieran Read

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SHOWS: HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND (SEPTEMBER 6, 2019) (TVNZ - Broadcasters: NO USE NEW ZEALAND Digital: NO USE NEW ZEALAND INTERNET SITES / ANY INTERNET SITE OF ANY NEW ZEALAND OR AUSTRALIA BASED MEDIA ORGANISATIONS OR MOBILE PLATFORMS)

1. NEW ZEALAND ALL BLACKS RUGBY TEAM FLYHALF, BEAUDEN BARRETT RECEIVING AND PASSING BALL

2. NEW ZEALAND ALL BLACKS RUGBY TEAM TRAINING ON PITCH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW ZEALAND ALL BLACKS RUGBY TEAM CAPTAIN, KIERAN READ, SAYING:

"Yeah, obviously each game is different, so you know, that's the nature of this game and who you're playing. But, you know, we've certainly got to be striving to be better and you know, we've striving tomorrow to put our performance out there as best we can. You know, it's important that we are focused on this game, and this game only."

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW ZEALAND ALL BLACKS RUGBY TEAM CAPTAIN, KIERAN READ, SAYING:

"They have played a number of games this year already, and they have improved each time. We know their support will be strong tomorrow and they are a team that has got so much pride in their jersey and their country, so it will be a big game."

5. VARIOUS OF NEW ZEALAND ALL BLACKS RUGBY TEAM MEETING FANS

STORY: All Blacks' captain, Kieran Read, said Saturday's match against Tonga would be a "big game" as his team trained on Friday (September 6) for their final warm-up match before the Rugby World Cup begins in Japan later this month.

when they face Tonga in Hamilton on Saturday (September 7).

Read said that the All Blacks were "focused on this game, and this game only" for the warm-up match being played in Hamilton.

Beauden Barrett has reverted to flyhalf after playing the last three tests at fullback for the All Blacks' and will take back the number 10 jersey from the injured Richie Mo'unga with Josh Ioane, who is not in the World Cup squad, likely to make his test debut from the bench against the Pacific islanders.

Coach Steve Hansen had named just two specialist flyhalves for the World Cup and Ioane had been widely expected to play the Tonga game after Mo'unga injured his shoulder against Australia last month.

(Production: Stefica Nicol Bikes, Mike Brock)