New Zealand beat Tonga 34-10 to reach Rugby League World Cup final
sportsNov 7, 20262555
New Zealand beat Tonga 34-10 in the Rugby League World Cup semi-final at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle to reach their first final since 2013. Kalyn Ponga returned just 23 days after breaking his forearm and was promoted into New Zealand's starting 13 by head coach Stacey Jones. Ponga set up Briton Nikora inside four minutes, finished the game with three try assists and ran for 193 metres while making key defensive interventions, including stopping Demitric Vaimauga. New Zealand scored four tries in the second half as Casey McLean, Jahrome Hughes, Xavier Willison and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad added touchdowns after the break. Stephen Isaako kicked five goals to finish the scoring tally. Tonga produced moments of quality, with Jojo Fifita scoring two impressive tries, but could not overcome a late swing in momentum. New Zealand now advance to the Rugby League World Cup final as a result of this victory.
