Just 23 days after breaking his forearm, Kalyn Ponga returned to the pitch to inspire New Zealand to a 34-10 victory over Tonga on November 7, 2026, at McDonald Jones Stadium in New South Wales, securing the Kiwis a spot in their first Rugby League World Cup final since 2013, bbc.co.uk reported.
Stacey Jones Shifts Strategy as Ponga Starts at Full-Back
Head coach Stacey Jones stunned observers by naming Ponga in the starting 13 after initially listing him in reserve and later among the interchange players. The gamble paid off immediately. Ponga sent Briton Nikora over in the right corner within the first four minutes of the match.
New Zealand can book their flights to Brisbane, after beating Tonga 34-10 in the first semi final in Newcastle tonight! In wind conditions strong enough that Jason Taumalolo needed to help with the kick off, New Zealand showed why we both that them at Number 1 in our Power…
The Newcastle Knights talisman also assisted in New Zealand's second try, battling opposite number Lehi Hopoate to help Dane Gagai ground the ball. Despite swirling winds making conditions nearly unplayable, Ponga repeatedly gathered high kicks and delivered vital defensive stops. Yahoo News Malaysia noted that his performance included 193 running metres, three try assists, and a desperate tackle to halt Tonga forward Demitric Vaimauga from scoring a certain try.
The fixture opened with intense traditional pageantry. Tonga performed the Sipi Tau war dance, which New Zealand met with the Haka, leading to a prolonged stand-off between the sides. Tonga supporters flooded the stands in red, watching winger Jojo Fifita score two tries.
Match Swings After Halftime in New South Wales
The game turned decisively away from Tonga during a five-minute stretch just after the break. New Zealand centre Casey McLean surged over in the left corner, quickly followed by a darting try from halfback Jahrome Hughes. According to bbc.co.uk, Kristian Woolf’s Tongan side—which had previously eliminated England with a 30-12 victory on October 17 and defeated Samoa the following week—could not replicate their usual late-game heroics.
With the scoreboard, time, and gale-force winds working against them, Tonga fell further behind when Xavier Willison capitalized on an ungathered short drop-out. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad then sealed the 34-10 scoreline by grounding a kick from Erin Clark.
