New Zealand advanced to the Rugby League World Cup final with a 34-10 win over Tonga in Newcastle on Saturday, overcoming a fierce challenge in driving wind before a crowd of 29,712 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The Kiwis led 12-10 at halftime after a tense first half in which they ran into a gale and Tonga showed its physicality, but pulled away after the break to secure victory. Fullback Kalyn Ponga, playing just three weeks after breaking his arm in the tournament opener against Australia, produced a standout performance with three try assists and at least two try-saving tackles.
Ponga set up Briton Nikora's opening try in the final five minutes of the first half, then forced an error from Lehi Hopoate in the shadows of halftime to give Dane Gagai a try that put New Zealand ahead at the break. In the second half, Casey McLean scored his 16th Test try in just eight Tests, carving through the Tonga defence to equal fifth on the Kiwis' all-time try-scoring list.
Tonga, who had advanced unbeaten to the semifinals for the first time since 2017, stayed in the contest until late but ran out of gas after last week's epic win over Samoa. Their fans, who had dominated the crowd, watched as New Zealand's forward pack, led by Erin Clark and Joseph Tapine, gradually took control.
New Zealand's depth and performance mean they should be favourites for the final, regardless of whether they face Australia or Samoa in next week's decider at Lang Park. Australia beat the Kiwis in the tournament opener, but Ponga missed much of the final quarter after his injury.
Thousands of kilometres away in Portland, Oregon, Tongan fans had held an impromptu parade before the match, celebrating their team's semifinal run. Hundreds showed up in a metro area where an estimated 2,000 Tongans live, while speakers played Tongan pop songs.
"Win or lose, we're always going to celebrate our boys," said Mele Latai Talanoa, a mother who brought her two young sons to the parade. "There's something called 'Mate Ma'a Tonga,' like 'We Die for Tonga.' Tonga is in our blood even though we're raised here in the States."
Akanesi Aisea, who organised the parade three days prior after seeing similar events in Salt Lake City, described the atmosphere with the Tongan concept of "māfana" - a warm, excited feeling. "I think everyone is māfana right now."
Pacific Islanders are disproportionately represented in rugby and football. Kolini Fusitua, program coordinator at the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization, said: “This is a path for financial stability.”
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The Kiwis are one win from their first World Cup title since 2008, with a deep squad that has found its form at the right time.
- Kalyn Ponga's return from a broken arm in just 22 days provides a major boost to New Zealand's chances in the final.
- The Tongan parade in Portland underscores how the team's success has galvanised the diaspora, even in defeat.
Background
The Rugby League World Cup is held every four years. Tonga reached the semifinals for the second time in their history, having last done so in 2017. New Zealand lost their tournament opener to Australia but have won three straight since. Ponga broke his left arm in that opening game and missed the group stage.
Key Perspectives
Mele Latai Talanoa (Tongan mother in Portland): "Win or lose, we're always going to celebrate our boys."
Kolini Fusitua (program coordinator, Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization): "This is a path for financial stability," noting Pacific Islander over-representation in rugby and football.
Akanesi Aisea (parade organiser): Described the mood as "māfana," a Tongan term for a warm, excited feeling.
What to Watch
- Sunday's second semifinal between Samoa and Australia, which will determine New Zealand's opponent in the final next weekend.
- Whether Ponga's arm holds up through a full 80 minutes of the final.
- Whether New Zealand's forward pack can dominate the line in the decider as they did against Tonga.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 3 sources: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedNew Zealand beat Tonga 34-10 to reach the Rugby League World Cup final.Just In: “after a 34-10 win over Tonga in the first semifinal”
- SupportedTongan fans in Portland paraded before the match.OPB: “On Friday afternoon, Portland residents took to the streets, swaddled in the red and white colors of the Tongan flag, declaring their national pride in anticipation of the game against New Zealand on Saturday.”
- SupportedNew Zealand should be favourites for the title.Just In: “Regardless of what the bookies say once the dust settles at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday night, New Zealand should be favourites for next week.”
- SupportedThe semifinal was played on Saturday.OPB: “declaring their national pride in anticipation of the game against New Zealand on Saturday.”
- SupportedThe semifinal was at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Kickoff at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newscastle is 10.05pm.”
- SupportedThe crowd was 29,712.Just In: “Everybody in the 29,712-strong crowd had their mettle tested by a howling gale”
- SupportedPonga played three weeks after breaking his arm in the tournament opener against Australia.Just In: “proving that the arm he broke against Australia in the tournament opener just 22 days ago was ready for action.”
- SupportedPonga had three try assists and at least two try-saving tackles.Just In: “he finished with three try assists and at least two try-saving tackles”
- SupportedCasey McLean scored his 16th Test try in his eighth Test, giving him a share of fifth place on the Kiwis' all-time try-scoring list.Just In: “His second half score ... was his 16th in Test football, giving him a share of fifth place on the Kiwis all-time try-scoring list in just his eighth Test”
- SupportedTonga reached the semifinals unbeaten for the first time since 2017.OPB: “Out of 10 teams, Tonga had advanced, unbeaten, to the semifinals, where they faced off against New Zealand. ... the last time that Tonga advanced to the semifinals was in 2017.”
- SupportedHundreds attended the Portland parade, and about 2,000 Tongans live in the metro area.OPB: “it’s estimated that about 2,000 Tongans live in the Portland metro area. Sulupepa Napa’a said it was a big deal to see hundreds of people show up to celebrate the semifinals run.”
- Partly supportedAisea said, “I think everyone is māfana right now.”OPB: “So I think everyone is māfana right now.”