Rugby World Cup Results 2015: New Zealand vs. Tonga Score, Updated Schedule

New Zealand beat Tonga 47-9 at the 2015 Rugby World Cup to not only end their slim hopes of reaching the quarter-finals, but also deny them automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup.

Tries from Ben Smith and Tony Woodcock gave the All Blacks a 14-3 lead at half-time, before Sonny Bill Williams, Sam Cane, Ma'a Nonu and a brace from Nehe Milner-Skudder made it a comfortable win in the end.

The match was a fiercely contested affair in the first half, as the Tongans frustrated their illustrious opponents, who were far from their best, but a much-improved showing after the break made the score respectable for New Zealand.

The All Blacks lacked their usual fluency in the opening exchanges, and it took 10 minutes for either side to score a point.

New Zealand drew first blood through Smith, who went over after some outstanding work down the right flank by namesake Conrad, per ITV Rugby:

The metronomic Dan Carter duly converted, before a Kurt Morath penalty reduced the arrears as Tonga slowly but surely made their way forward.

Woodcock and Carter doubled the All Blacks' tally shortly after, though, as they were rewarded for some sustained pressure:

Chronicle Live's Mark Smith praised Tonga's impressive showing at the scrum:

Another Morath penalty as Tonga roared out of the traps in the second half hinted at a memorable comeback, but things finally clicked for the All Blacks, who ran riot against Tonga's defensive line.

Milner-Skudder wriggled through in the corner and seven minutes later had his brace when he latched onto an exquisite kick:

Smith felt Tonga were unfortunate to be on the receiving end of a one-sided scoreline:

Things went from bad to worse for Tonga, though, as New Zealand flexed their muscles, having grown into the game.

Williams was the next to go over, and with Sona Taumalolo sin-binned, the All Blacks capitalised on their man advantage when Cane grabbed another.

Nonu completed the scoring on a milestone night for the veteran:

Here is the updated schedule following the clash:

Date	Time (BST)	Fixture
Saturday, Oct. 10	2:30 p.m	Samoa v Scotland
	4:45 p.m.	Australia v Wales
	8 p.m.	England v Uruguay
Sunday, Oct. 11	12 p.m.	Argentina v Namibia
	2:30 p.m.	Italy v Romania
	4:45 p.m.	France v Ireland
	8 p.m.	USA v Japan

New Zealand are assured of top spot in Pool C, making Argentina's clash with Namibia even more of a formality.

Tonga will be disappointed to not have finished even third in the group, but Georgia have been excellent, and their automatic qualification for the next tournament is well deserved.