New Zealand Beat Tonga 34-10 to Reach First Rugby League World Cup Final Since 2013

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New Zealand Kiwis perform the haka before a match

The New Zealand Kiwis perform the haka before a match — Image: Sam Hood via Wikimedia Commons

New Zealand have reached the Rugby League World Cup final for the first time since 2013, beating Tonga 34-10 in a pulsating semi-final in Newcastle on Saturday, according to Reuters and NRL.com.

The match

  • The semi-final was played at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday, 7 November, in strong wind and heavy rain that swept across the ground during the break.
  • Tonga led 10-6 late in the first half, but the Kiwis fought back to lead 12-10 at half-time.
  • New Zealand then scored 22 unanswered points in the second half. Tries from Casey McLean and Jahrome Hughes within five minutes of the restart put the Kiwis 24-10 ahead, before Xavier Willison and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad sealed the win.
  • New Zealand's six tries came from Briton Nikora, Dane Gagai, McLean, Hughes, Willison and Nicoll-Klokstad. Both of Tonga's tries were scored by Jojo Fifita.

Ponga's remarkable return

  • Fullback Kalyn Ponga starred on his return just 23 days after breaking his arm, setting up tries and guiding the Kiwis from fullback.
  • Ponga had been named in the starting 13 by head coach Stacey Jones in a selection gamble that paid off handsomely on his home turf in Newcastle.
  • "He justifies the huge gamble," is how one report summed up his performance, after he set up three tries on his comeback.

What comes next

  • New Zealand will play the final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday, 15 November, against the winner of the second semi-final between defending champions Australia and Samoa, played in Sydney on Sunday.
  • The Kiwis, world champions in 2008, last played in a World Cup final in 2013, when they lost heavily to Australia at Old Trafford in Manchester.
  • New Zealand's women have also reached the final, after the Kiwi Ferns beat Samoa in their semi-final at the same stadium.
  • It caps a remarkable week in world sport, which also saw Kimi Antonelli become Formula 1's youngest world champion.

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