Nehe Milner-Skudder speaks to media after the All Blacks defeated Tonga 47 - 9

OPINION: Nehe Milner-Skudder has become an irresistible force and should be a lock for a starting spot next week based on his efforts against Tonga.

But it wasn't just Milner-Skudder's creative flair and confidence that coach Steve Hansen will be smiling about after a 47-9 win at St James' Park in Newcastle.

Dan Carter, a missed touch kick aside, finally produced the authoritative performance the All Blacks will need in coming weeks if they are to progress through the knockout rounds.

RUSSELL CHEYNE/REUTERS An impressive performance against Tonga in Newcastle has surely secured Nehe Milner-Skudder a starting berth for next weekend's World Cup quarterfinal.

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Newcastle United's fans would have appreciated the touch as Milner-Skudder painted the famous football field with the brush strokes that set him apart from other wings.

He arrived at the ground in a head-to-head battle with Waisake Naholo for the right wing berth, but surely left as a certainty for next week's quarterfinal in Cardiff.

1 of 25 Phil Walter/ Getty Images All Blacks wing Nehe Milner Skudder celebrates scoring his second try in the Rugby World Cup pool match against Tonga at St James' Park, Newcastle. 2 of 25 Andrew Yates/ Reuters All Blacks second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu dives in for a try against Tonga in his 100th test. 3 of 25 Russell Cheyne/ Reuters All Blacks wing Nehe Milner Skudder dives over for the try against Tonga. 4 of 25 GETTY IMAGES All Blacks fullback Ben Smith runs against Tonga. 5 of 25 Mark Runnacles/ Getty Images All Blacks wing Nehe Milner Skudder scores a try in the corner against Tonga. 6 of 25 PHOTOSPORT All Blacks flanker Sam Cane on a scything run against Tonga. 7 of 25 Jan Kruger/ Getty Images All Blacks midfielder Ma'a Nonu on the burst in his 100th test. 8 of 25 Andrew Yates/ Reuters All Blacks first five-eighth Dan Carter gets tackled. 9 of 25 Russell Cheyne/ Reuters The St James' Park pitch struggled to hold up to the rigour of rugby with grounds staff forced to try and mend it at halftime. 10 of 25 Phil Walter/ Getty Images All Blacks Kieran Read takes in the sights from the sin bin after being awarded a yellow card late in the first half of the Rugby World Cup pool game against Tonga. 11 of 25 Andrew Yates/ Reuters All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock dives over for the team's second try in their Rugby World Cup pool match with Tonga. 12 of 25 RUSSELL CHEYNE/REUTERS The All Blacks old firm in their Rugby World Cup clash with Tonga; Dan Carter kicking for goal and Richie McCaw on water duties. 13 of 25 Andrew Yates/ Reuters All Blacks fullback Ben Smith braces for impact with Tonga's Fetu'u Vainikolo in the teams' Rugby World Cup clash at St James' Park, Newcastle. 14 of 25 Russell Cheyne/ Reuters Injured All Blacks captain Richie McCaw is on water boy duties for the team's Rugby World Cup clash with Tonga. 15 of 25 Jan Kruger/ Getty Images All Blacks fullback Ben Smith dives in for the first try of their Rugby World Cup clash with Tonga. 16 of 25 Jan Kruger/ Getty Images All Blacks flanker Sam Cane takes the ball into contact. 17 of 25 Mark Runnacles/ Getty Images All Blacks hooker Dane Coles looks for the tackle on a charging Elvis Taione of Tonga. 18 of 25 Jan Kruger/ Getty Images All Blacks wing Nehe Milner-Skudder challenges Tonga's Joseph Tuineau for the ball. 19 of 25 Lee Smith/ Reuters The All Blacks perform the haka ahead of their Rugby World Cup clash with Tonga. 20 of 25 Phil Walter/ Getty Images All Blacks second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu performs the haka in his 100th test. 21 of 25 Andrew Yates/ Reuters Tonga perform the sipi tau ahead of their Rugby World Cup clash with the All Blacks at St James' Park, Newcastle. 22 of 25 Russell Cheyne/ Reuters All Blacks players sing the New Zealand national anthem ahead of their Rugby World Cup clash with Tonga. 23 of 25 Phil Walter/ Getty Images All Blacks second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu leads the team out onto St James' Park for his 100th test. 24 of 25 Mark Runnacles/ Getty Images An All Blacks fan cheers on the team in their Rugby World Cup pool match against Tonga at St James' Park. 25 of 25 PHIL WALTER/GETTY IMAGES All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams takes some pre-match photos at St James' Park, London.

It wasn't just the two tries Milner-Skudeer added to his tournament tally of four, but rather his ability to keep play alive that added most value.

He was involved twice in the build up to the first try, his second touch a subtle no-look pass that put Sam Cane in space and allowed the All Blacks to get behind the first line.

After the break he emerged with a smile, traded a joke with the assistant referee, looked up and around at the towering stands.

The pressure gauge is about to rise, but Milner-Skudder looks like he's playing with feathers on his shoulders.

He directed ruck defence from the back field, yelling instructions at Owen Franks, took high ball in the face of Tongan pressure, finished when his chance came after 54 minutes, and showed off his pace to score his brace off a Beauden Barrett grubber.

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It was a performance capped by the late break that gave his Hurricanes teammate Ma'a Nonu a try in his 100th test.

The beauty of Milner-Skudder is that he breaks then creates. He's becoming a next generation Cory Jane.

And that's not to say Waisake Naholo was poor on the left wing either. He shelled a first half sitter when the All Blacks had a three-on-one overlap, but was busy and bustling elsewhere.

It's impossible not to feel he's just not had enough game time to get into the flow of the World Cup, but Hansen remains spoiled for choice whatever way he goes.

But back to Carter. It wasn't the six of seven conversions he kicked, but the energy and confidence he exuded.

When Carter was younger he got a lot of second touches, but of late he's passed and sat back to direct. Against Tonga he was in the game, passing and backing up, letting Ben Smith take the first receiver duties.

Carter doesn't run like he once did, but he can still create havoc with his ability to put others in space and to keep the ball alive. He tracked back to save a Tongan kick in the first half and he was still going in the 81st minute when he played halfback for a defensive ruck.

The All Blacks will be pleased. They did not concede a try and kept their line speed for the entire match, Owen Franks a notable presence. There was a hiccup with Kieran Read's sinbinning, but it was otherwise a step up from the previous three matches.