New Zealand defeated Tonga 34-10 in Newcastle on Saturday to book a place in next weekend's Rugby League World Cup final, according to The Guardian. The Kiwis pulled clear after a tight first half, scoring 22 points without reply as conditions deteriorated. It is the first time New Zealand have reached the final since 2013, and they will play for the title for the first time since winning it in 2008.
The result completed a double for New Zealand in Newcastle on the same day, after the Kiwi Ferns beat Samoa to reach the women's final.
Why it matters
The Guardian described the match as a stark illustration of the gap other nations still have to close on Australia and New Zealand when the stakes are highest. Tonga had been widely expected to push the Kiwis close, and did so for 40 minutes, but New Zealand's kicking game and set-piece control took over once the weather worsened.
The Guardian also noted that New Zealand, under coach Stacey Jones, may now start the final as favourites regardless of whether Australia or Samoa win the second semi-final. The Kiwis have not lifted the trophy since 2008, a drought that has spanned their absence from the final since 2013.
Ponga's return pays off early
New Zealand's major selection decision was to bring Kalyn Ponga back at full-back, only 23 days after he broke a bone in his forearm in the tournament opener, The Guardian reports. The call paid off within five minutes when Ponga set up Briton Nikora for the opening try.
Tonga responded with two tries from Jojo Fifita. The first came at the end of a long-range break, and the second saw him force his way over from close range to put the Mate Ma'a in front. Their travelling supporters, who The Guardian said have added much colour to the tournament, briefly had reason to believe in a first final appearance.
The momentum shifted three minutes before half-time. A Ponga kick created the chance for Dane Gagai to score, and Jamayne Isaako converted to send New Zealand into the break two points ahead.
"I was always determined to come back," Ponga said afterwards. "That first half was tough and then the wind obviously helped us in the second half. But I think our mentality also, we knew that if we did enough in the second half we'd get some rewards, and we did."
Second half belongs to the Kiwis
New Zealand extended their lead eight minutes after the restart when Casey McLean finished well. The Guardian reported it was his 18th try in eight Tests. Tonga then misread a clever Kiwis kick, allowing Jahrome Hughes to touch down for the fourth.
Isaako converted all four New Zealand tries despite swirling wind and driving rain, building a 14-point cushion that left Tonga with no route back. Xavier Willison added a fifth try, and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad grounded another kick, this time from James Fisher-Harris, to complete the scoring.
The Guardian reported that Jason Taumalolo, whose 2017 decision to switch allegiance from New Zealand to Tonga helped spark the rise of several Pacific nations, went to the turf at the full-time whistle, aware his international career was probably over.
Tonga's half-back Isaiya Katoa paid tribute to the team's following. "I don't think these fans understand how much the support means to us, the way that they rally around us through thick and thin," he said. "I want to say thank you to everyone, the whole Tongan community all around the world."
The Guardian noted that before the tournament, many observers felt a winner other than Australia would be good for the sport given the progress of Samoa and Tonga and New Zealand's improved form this autumn. The Kiwis now have the chance to be the side that delivers on that.
New Zealand will meet the winner of the second semi-final between Australia and Samoa in next weekend's final.
