New Zealand, the tournament favourites, open their campaign against ideal opposition tomorrow. Tonga will be tough enough to ensure a good workout without quite having the firepower to produce an upset. That will not stop the South Sea Islanders itching to land some big hits on the All Blacks and there will be a few bruises at the end for the men in black. As befits the most professional side in the world, New Zealand were leaving nothing to chance. The party line is that Tonga are not a side to be taken lightly, especially after their win over France in the summer.

Jonah Lomu has been selected on the left wing after coming off the bench in recent games and is expecting a hard match against the island of his birth.

"There is no love lost between the sides," he said. "They are a very committed side and we can't afford any hiccups at the first hurdle. Everybody keeps asking us about the England match but that game isn't even in our thoughts at the moment." The All Blacks' scrum-half Justin Marshall agrees: "We can't take anything for granted and we have to be into our game straight away. There can be no mistakes."

Lomu's return means a reshuffle in the three-quarters with Christian Cullen shifting from wing to centre; Daryl Gibson drops out. A further change to the side beaten by Australia in August sees Canterbury utility Reuben Thorne replace Dylan Mika on the flank. As well as Lomu, the All Blacks have two other Tongans in their squad in Carl Hoeft and Pita Alatini, although only Hoeft plays.

Tonga's coach Dave Waterston believes his side may produce the first shock of the tournament. "I will be very surprised if New Zealand win the World Cup," he said. "They are not nearly as good as some people think they are."

New Zealand: J Wilson; T Umaga, C Cullen, A Ieremia, J Lomu; A Mehrtens, J Marshall; C Hoeft, A Oliver, K Meeuws, N Maxwell, R Brooke, R Thorne, J Kronfeld, T Randell (capt).

Tonga: S Taumalolo; S Fakaosifolau, T Tiueti, S Taupeaafe, T Taufahema; E Vunipola (capt), S Marten; T Fainga'anuku, F Vunipola, T Taumoepeau, I Fatani, B Kivalu, V Fakatou, S Koloi, V Toloke. Replacements: S Tuipulotu, I Tapueluelu, F Mafi, D Edwards, M Te Pou, NG Taufo'ou, L Maka.