The All Blacks opened their 2021 campaign with a record equaling 102-nil win over Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday night, with the one-sided result shining a spotlight on the struggles faced by tier two nations.
Many Tonga players had to pay for their own quarantine in New Zealand and the Ikale Tahi selected 13 debutants, some plucked from New Zealand club rugby, due to player unavailability.
Rugby reporter Joe Porter was at Mt Smart.
