Sports · Other Sports · 20 hrs ago
New Zealand beat Tonga 34-10 to reach Rugby League World Cup final
New Zealand beat Tonga 34-10 in the World Cup semifinal in Newcastle to reach the final.
Kalyn Ponga returned just 23 days after breaking his arm and played a leading role for the Kiwis.
He helped set up tries and made key defensive stops as Tonga threatened.
Tonga led a determined first-half challenge, but New Zealand went into the break ahead 12-10.
New Zealand scored four more tries after halftime to pull clear.
The win sends New Zealand to its first Rugby League World Cup final since 2013.
The Kiwis will face Australia or Samoa next week; the two teams are due to meet in the other semifinal.
New Zealand beat Tonga 34-10 in the first semifinal to reach the Rugby League World Cup final.
The Kiwis led 12-10 at half-time after Dane Gagai scored shortly before the break.
New Zealand scored four more tries in the second half to pull away from Tonga.
Kalyn Ponga returned just 23 days after breaking his arm and played a central role in the win.
New Zealand will face either Australia or Samoa in next week’s final.
- Who
- New Zealand and Tonga contested the semifinal.
- What
- New Zealand won 34-10 and reached the Rugby League World Cup final.
- When
- 7 November 2026. The final is scheduled for the following week.
- Where
- McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
- Why
- The teams were playing in the first semifinal of the Rugby League World Cup.
New Zealand
Tonga
Match result
New Zealand
New Zealand won 34-10 and advanced to the final.
Tonga
Tonga lost 34-10 and did not reach the final.
First half
New Zealand
New Zealand went into the break leading 12-10 after Dane Gagai scored shortly before half-time.
Tonga
Tonga scored twice through Jojo Fifita and stayed within two points at half-time.
Kalyn Ponga broke his arm in New Zealand’s tournament opener against Australia.
New Zealand beat Tonga 34-10 in the first semifinal.
New Zealand are due to play either Australia or Samoa in the final.
- Final score
- New Zealand 34, Tonga 10
- Half-time score
- New Zealand 12, Tonga 10
- Venue
- McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
- Kalyn Ponga’s return
- 23 days after breaking his arm
- New Zealand’s final opponent
- Australia or Samoa
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