Rugby World Cup favourites New Zealand didn't have it all their own way in the opening half of tonight's Rugby World Cup Pool C contest against Tonga in Newcastle, but they still lead 14-3 at the break.

Underdogs Tonga got off to a bright start under the lights at St James' Park as Fetu'u Vainikolo broke through the All Blacks line to get the Ikale Tahi close to the 22, but they soon gave away a penalty to surrender possession.

Defence was the name of the game in the first 10 minutes, but New Zealand soon took the lead after some nifty passing down the right.

Conrad Smith and Nehe Milner-Skudder were both involved, but it was full-back Ben Smith who found space to dive over the line, with Dan Carter adding the extras.

Both teams continued to struggle to make ground in open play, but Tonga got on the board in the 26th minute when Kurt Morath made no mistake with a penalty.

New Zealand should have gone over again moments later when Waisake Naholo knocked on with a try at his or a teammate's mercy.

The All Blacks did manage a second try before the break, though, as prop Tony Woodcock powered over and Carter kicked the extras from a central position.

In the final minutes of the half the packed house inside St James' roared the Tongans on as they piled pressure on the New Zealand try line, but they could not get over and a TMO decision denied them a score.

All Blacks captain Kieran Read was yellow-carded for illegally bringing down a maul in the closing stages and he will be absent at the start of the second period.

Only once before at the tournament - against Tonga at the 1999 World Cup - have New Zealand held a slimmer lead over a non-Tier 1 nation at the break.