Kiwis v Tonga: Line-ups, kickoff time, how to watch – all you need to know ahead of World Cup semi-final
Kiwis v Tonga, Rugby League World Cup semi-final, 10.05pm, Saturday, November 7, at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle.
The Kiwis and Tonga will resume their rivalry when the two sides clash in the semi-finals of the Rugby League World Cup on Saturday night.
There is a strong connection between the two sides since Jason Taumalolo made the decision to defect from New Zealand to represent his heritage nation, Tonga, back in 2017.
Since then, fans have been treated to many high-class spectacles but this clash will be the biggest of the lot, with what is on the line.
The Kiwis are aiming to qualify for their first World Cup final since 2013, while Tonga are seeking to make their first.
Kiwis hooker Jeremy Marshall-King is anticipating the match will go down to the wire.
“It’s going to be not easy,” Marshall-King said. “We know it’s going to be a grinding game.
“It’s going to go back and forth and that’s something we’re focusing on as a team and that’s what we want to build ourselves on is that sort of footy, going set for set.
“I thought we’d done that against Australia and it’s just something we’ve got to be consistent at doing that. The last two games probably haven’t been that way, but you know, we’ve got the confidence of doing that.”
The winner will face either Australia or Samoa in the final, with their semi-final taking place on Sunday. The match is a repeat of the last World Cup final.
Kiwis v Tonga line-ups
Kalyn Ponga is in line to make a swift return from a broken arm after being named on the Kiwis’ extended bench.
Ponga has been selected in jersey No 21 as he bids to return to the side after breaking his left arm in his test debut against the Kangaroos in Sydney on October 15.
Hooker Phoenix Crossland is also back and listed in jersey No 22 after being called into the squad on Monday night as a replacement for injured second rower Jacob Laban, who has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament.
In a forced change to the starting line-up, Kiwi head coach Stacey Jones has selected utility Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad on the left wing to replace the suspended Ronaldo Mulitalo.
Kiwis: 1. Keano Kini, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Charnze Nicoll-Klostad, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Moses Leota, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Briton Nikora, 13. Joseph Tapine.
Interchange (from): 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Erin Clark, 17. Xavier Willison, 18. Scott Sorensen, 19. Leo Thompson, 20. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 21. Kalyn Ponga, 22. Phoenix Crossland.
Coach Kristian Woolf has named the same 19-man squad that prevailed 20-18 over Samoa in an epic contest on Sunday.
Their team features four players who have previously represented the Kiwis: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Tuimoala Lolohea, Addin Fonua-Blake and Jason Taumalolo.
Tonga: 1. Lehi Hopoate, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Tolutau Koula, 4. Robert Toia, 5. Jojo Fifita, 6. Tuimoala Lolohea, 7. Isaiya Katoa, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Salesi Foketi, 10. Jason Taumalolo (c), 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Siua Wong, 13. Tyson Frizell.
Interchange (from): 14. Soni Luke, 15. Stefano Utoikamanu, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Taniela Paseka, 18. Leka Halasima, 19. Latu Fainu, 20. Paul Alamoti, 21. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 22. Sione Katoa.
Where will the match be won?
This is shaping up to be an intense physical battle between two elite forward packs.
Both teams boast powerful starting packs, with the Kiwis’ James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Joseph Tapine going toe-to-toe with the experienced trio of Fonua-Blake, Taumalolo and Tyson Frizell.
Both sides also have strong benches, but the Kiwis have the edge in experience and skill, with Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark and Xavier Willison providing impact.
The forwards have laid the platform in every match so far and with a dominant pack, it is unlikely things will change for Jones’ side.
Tonga may have the upper hand in the back five, with Tolutau Koula, Robert Toia and Jojo Fifita offering plenty of strike power and speed. Halfback Isaiya Katoa is directing the team well and playing with confidence.
The game will likely come down to which team makes the most of its opportunities.
Kiwis v Tonga run to the semis
The Kiwis finished second in Pool A with a two-win, one-loss record.
They opened their World Cup campaign with a 24-22 defeat to the Kangaroos before bouncing back with comfortable wins over the Cook Islands (82-16) and Fiji (78-0).
Their combined 182 points were the most scored by any team during the pool stages.
For Tonga, their road to the final was tougher, but they finished top of the combined Pool B and C standings.
They started off with a 30-12 win over England before beating Lebanon 36-0 and then Samoa 20-18.
Kiwis v Tonga history
This will be the ninth meeting between the two nations, with New Zealand holding a 6-2 record so far.
New Zealand had largely had their way over Tonga until the international rugby league landscape changed in 2017 when Taumalolo and numerous others defected to Tonga before the World Cup.
Tonga went on to record their first win over the Kiwis in the tournament, 28-22 thanks to a David Fusitu’a hat-trick.
The Kiwis would win the next two tests, before Tonga claimed their second win, a 25-24 triumph at Mt Smart as part of the 2024 Pacific Championships.
In their most recent clash, the Kiwis claimed a comfortable 40-14 win at Eden Park, although the occasion was overshadowed by the scary incident that unfolded on the sideline when Eliesa Katoa had a seizure after multiple head knocks.
Kiwis v Tonga TAB odds
Kiwis $1.46 Tonga $2.75.
Kiwis v Tonga – how to follow the action
You can watch the game on Sky Sport 2 and it will be livestreaming on Sky Sport Now, from 9.35pm.
You can also find live updates at nzherald.co.nz.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.