New Zealand (12) 34
Tries: Nikora, Gagai, McLean, Hughes, Willison, Nicoll-Klokstad Targets: Isaako 5
Tonga (10) 10
Tries: Fifita 2 Targets: Katoa
Simply 23 days after breaking his arm, Kalyn Ponga returned to encourage New Zealand to a 34-10 victory in a pulsating encounter with Tonga as they reached their first World Cup last since 2013.
Ponga had been named initially in reserve after which as one of many interchange gamers within the build-up to this contest – and the expectation was that he can be eased again into motion and play a restricted position.
As an alternative, head coach Stacey Jones shocked many together with his resolution to incorporate Ponga in New Zealand’s beginning 13 however was repaid in full because the Newcastle Knights talisman starred on residence turf on the McDonald Jones Stadium, in New South Wales,
Ponga’s influence from full-back was virtually speedy as he despatched Briton Nikora over in the suitable nook inside 4 minutes.
He was additionally concerned within the Kiwis’ second strive of the sport – as his contest together with his reverse quantity Lehi Hopoate was essential to Dane Gagai grounding the ball.
And whereas the swirling wind made situations virtually unplayable at instances, he repeatedly gathered excessive kicks and made a number of telling defensive contributions.
A type of included throwing himself in the best way of Tonga’s juggernaut second row Demitric Vaimauga to forestall a sure strive, whereas his capability to stall Hopoate’s run and stop him from offloading to Isaiya Katoa stopped one other at a key stage with New Zealand solely 12-10 forward.
The prelude to this fixture was virtually each bit as gripping as the principle occasion.
Tonga’s conventional warfare dance, the Sipi Tau, was met by New Zealand’s Haka and a protracted stand-off between the gamers supplied the proper backdrop to a contest brimming with athleticism, energy and very good ball-handling expertise.
For the second week operating, Tonga followers turned out in power with the stands a sea of purple.
They usually witnessed their facet’s participation in an exquisite advert for rugby league with Jojo Fifita scoring two glorious tries.
Nonetheless, the match in the end swung away from them in a five-minute interval after the break when New Zealand’s excellent centre Casey McLean surged over within the left nook and the wily Jahrome Hughes darted in to attain.
On this event, Kristian Woolf’s crew, who successfully torpedoed England’s hopes of reaching the final 4 with a 30-12 of their opening match on 17 October, had been unable to stage the identical type of fightback that helped them defeat their Pacific Island rivals Samoa final weekend.
With the scoreboard, time and a gale-force wind in opposition to Tonga, Xavier Willison punished them additional once they failed to collect a brief drop out.
And when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad fantastically grounded Erin Clark’s kick, it put the gloss on a wonderful New Zealand efficiency.
