NEW ZEALAND 34 TONGA 10
STEPHEN IBBETSON, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, Saturday
NEW ZEALAND are into their first World Cup Final since 2013 after Kalyn Ponga’s return inspired a formidable performance.
Tonga were well up for the challenge, as shown by the spine-tingling staredown after the sides had finished their respective pre-match war dances.
The first half matched that promise but after poaching back the lead on the stroke of half-time, the Kiwis completely dominated the remainder.
It means they will arguably go into next Sunday’s final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane – scene of their only previous world title in 2008 – as favourites, regardless of whether it is Australia or Samoa they face.
While Tonga’s only change from an epic group victory over Samoa was Robert Toia’s late withdrawal for Paul Alamoti, New Zealand had Ronaldo Mulitalo banned for his red card against Fiji – replaced by Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad – and Phoenix Crossland on the bench after completing his own four-match suspension for the tackle that injured Nathan Cleary in the NRL finals.
But all the talk was about Ponga, first named as a reserve, then as an interchange and finally promoted to the starting line-up ahead of kick-off, 23 days after breaking his arm in the tournament opener against Australia.
Ponga was excellent then, on his Kiwis debut, and on home territory in Newcastle he was again brilliant in both attack and defence.
He made his mark right from the start, setting up a Dane Gagai half-break and then, two plays later, laying off for Briton Nikora to crash over, with Jamayne Isaako adding the goal.
After spending the first ten minutes on the back foot, Tonga made their first sustained push and outstanding goalline defence was required to keep giant forwards Addin Fonua-Blake and Jason Taumalolo at bay.
A big New Zealand chance followed as Casey McLean’s dazzling footwork took him clear, only for Lehi Hopoate to get sufficient contact to stop the centre.
An already intense contest went up a few more levels with Jojo Fifita’s scintillating 21st-minute try. The winger started it with his return of a bouncing Jahrome Hughes kick, splitting two defenders then racing past a third. Tui Lolohea and Tolutau Koula continued the move, with the latter passing back inside for Fifita to finish the 95-metre effort, converted by Isaiya Katoa.
Ten minutes later another Fifita break set Tonga on the attack which culminated in his next try. Demitric Vaimauga was initially kept out brilliantly by brave Ponga after charging around the outside of the Kiwi defence, but a right-to-left shift followed through Katoa, Tui Lolohea and Hopoate for Fifita to finish.
Tonga were only ahead for four minutes, however. Ponga again had a part to play, after a wicked bounce on a Hughes kick deceived both him and Hopoate, allowing Gagai to touch down.
Protestations of a Ponga tackle off the ball on Hopoate were rejected, and Isaako added the second goal – after Katoa couldn’t – to edge the Kiwis 12-10 ahead at half-time.
Tonga’s second-half kick-off bounced out to present a full attacking set, but they couldn’t take advantage – and they wouldn’t get such a look-in again.
They received a let-off when Siua Wong couldn’t take in a pass by Hughes who had stepped through the line, while Hopoate made a try-saving intervention in the corner.
But things spiralled when Gagai crunched Lolohea after New Zealand had scrambled back to close a break sparked by Haumole Olakau’atu.
A few plays afterwards, McLean stepped outside his opposing centre Alamoti to open up a two-score lead for the first time in the match.
And when that become a quick double through Hughes’ smart step and burrow to the line, plus two more Isaako conversions, the Kiwis had one foot in the final.
Tonga were given no room in which to breathe and little opportunity to fight their way back into the contest, forced to concede a succession of drop-outs and repeatedly defend their line.
Wong made a notable try-saver on Nikora as they clung on to what hope remained, and under the weight of pressure it’s to their credit the result was only confirmed with ten minutes to go when Xavier Willison charged through off a skilful Ponga pass.
On the hooter New Zealand celebrated a sixth try to round off the superb all-round display, Nicoll-Klokstad scoring it off a kick from the unlikely figure of prop Erin Clark.
GAMESTAR: Kalyn Ponga set up three tries on a sensational return from surgery.
GAMEBREAKER: Tries in succession by Casey McLean and Jahrome Hughes took the game away from Tonga.
HIGHLIGHT REEL: Jojo Fifita sparked Tonga’s challenge by starting and finishing perhaps the try of the tournament.
MATCHFACTS
NEW ZEALAND
21 Kalyn Ponga
2 Jamayne Isaako
3 Dane Gagai
4 Casey McLean
5 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
6 Kodi Nikorima
7 Jahrome Hughes
8 James Fisher-Harris
9 Jeremy Marshall-King
10 Moses Leota
11 Isaiah Papali’i
12 Briton Nikora
13 Joseph Tapine
Subs
1 Keano Kini (not used)
14 Te Maire Martin (not used)
15 Naufahu Whyte
16 Erin Clark
17 Xavier Willison
22 Phoenix Crossland
Tries: Nikora (4), Gagai (37), McLean (48), Hughes (53), Willison (70), Nicoll-Klokstad (80)
Goals: Isaako 5/6
TONGA
1 Lehi Hopoate
2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3 Tolutau Koula
20 Paul Alamoti
5 Jojo Fifita
6 Tui Lolohea
7 Isaiya Katoa
8 Addin Fonua-Blake
9 Salesi Foketi
10 Jason Taumalolo
11 Haumole Olakau’atu
12 Siua Wong
13 Tyson Frizell
Subs
14 Soni Luke (not used)
15 Stefano Utoikamanu
16 Demitric Vaimauga
17 Taniela Paseka
18 Leka Halasima
19 Latu Fainu (not used)
Tries: Fifita (21, 33)
Goals: I Katoa 1/2
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 6-6, 6-10, 12-10; 18-10, 24-10, 28-10, 34-10
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
New Zealand: Kalyn Ponga; Tonga: Jojo Fifita
Penalty count: 2-2
Half-time: 12-10
Referee: Grant Atkins
Attendance: 29,712
