The Kiwis are through to the Rugby League World Cup final after beating Tonga 34-10 in an exciting semi-final in Newcastle, Australia, on Saturday.
Fullback Kalyn Ponga was the star of the match, setting up three tries just 23 days after returning from a broken arm. He wore a protective arm guard during the game and made a try-saving tackle that was one of the best of the whole tournament.
New Zealand scored six tries in total, from Briton Nikora, Dane Gagai, Casey McLean, Jahrome Hughes, Xavier Willison and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. Tonga winger Jojo Fifita scored both of Tonga’s tries.
Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris praised his teammate after the game. “He’s a freak of a player but you see the defensive mindset he had tonight, where he saved a couple tries there,” Fisher-Harris said of Ponga.
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf said his team was proud of their tournament, even though the result was disappointing. “It’s a disappointing way to finish, we’ve had an outstanding World Cup and we’re happy with everything they’ve done,” he said.
The win means the Kiwis have reached their first World Cup final since 2013. They will now play the winner of the other semi-final, between Australia and Samoa, for the title.
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