Tonga want to end a disappointing Rugby World Cup campaign on a high against the All Blacks and leave a legacy for their youth.
The Tongans will field the second-oldest team in World Cup history at St James' Park in Newcastle on Friday, having sent out the oldest earlier in the tournament.
However coach Mana Otai denies the game represents the end of an era for Tongan rugby.
"We are only just starting to scratch the surface. This is just the beginning of an era," he said.
"We have a group that's not about just themselves, but wanting to inspire our youngsters to come and play for their country."
Vice-captain Siale Piutau, the brother of All Blacks back Charles, says Tonga loses many of its premier athletes to richer rugby nations that boast greater resources.
Tongan-born All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa and Welsh No.8 Toby Faletau are two prime examples and Piutau says the problem is growing.
"A lot of us are nearing the end of our careers and you see other national sides with a lot of young Tongans in," Piutau said.
"A lot of our players are getting poached. That's going to be the hardest thing, getting players growing up who want to play for this team."
Tonga's tournament began disastrously with a 17-10 loss to Georgia before notching a win over Namibia and heavy 45-16 loss to Argentina.
The world No.12 side has faced the All Blacks four times previously, three of them in the World Cup pool phase.
Their most recent meeting was the opening match of the 2011 tournament in Auckland, where they recorded their closest loss, 41-10.
