New Zealand 34–10 Tonga: Ponga's comeback from a broken arm steers the Kiwis into their first Rugby League World Cup final since 2013
New Zealand beat Tonga 34–10 in the Rugby League World Cup semi-final at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday 7 November 2026, reaching their first final since 2013. The Kiwis trailed 10–6 late in the first half but led 12–10 at the break and scored 22 unanswered points in the second half. Kalyn Ponga, playing 23 days after breaking his arm in the tournament opener, set up three tries and was named player of the match. New Zealand will face Australia or Samoa in the final in Brisbane on Sunday 15 November.
Key points
- Final: New Zealand 34, Tonga 10 — McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, Saturday 7 November 2026, Rugby League World Cup semi-final (12–10 at half-time).
- Scorers: Nikora, Gagai, McLean, Hughes, Willison and Nicoll-Klokstad for the Kiwis, Isaako five goals; Fifita twice for Tonga.
- Ponga, back 23 days after breaking his arm in the opener, set up three tries and was named player of the match.
- New Zealand reach their first final since 2013 and play Australia or Samoa in Brisbane on Sunday 15 November.
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What happened
Tonga, who had beaten Samoa 20–18 in the pool stage and arrived unbeaten, were chasing a first World Cup final, and for half an hour they looked the likelier side: Fifita finished a sweeping length-of-the-field move and then muscled over for a second try to put them 10–6 ahead, in front of a crowd dominated by Tongan flags. Gagai's try — pouncing on a loose ball after a grubber kick was not cleaned up — edged the Kiwis in front just before half-time, and after it the game ran one way: McLean in the 48th minute, Hughes five minutes later, then Willison and a last-minute Nicoll-Klokstad try.
Ponga's night was the story inside the result. The Newcastle fullback, playing in his home stadium, broke his arm in his Test debut against Australia in the tournament's opening match on 15 October and was expected by many to miss the rest of the World Cup. He returned with a protective guard on the arm, set up the first try inside the opening minutes, and finished with three try assists and the player-of-the-match award.
Both sides, in their own words
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Side A · New Zealand
- Ponga came back from a broken arm in 23 days and ran the game — three try assists and a try-saving tackle — and after half-time the Kiwis scored 22 points without reply.
- A first final since 2013, won in wind and rain in Newcastle: this side has its shot at a first title since 2008.
Side B · Tonga
- Fifita scored twice and Tonga led 10–6 late in the first half — for 40 minutes the Pacific side were right in a World Cup semi-final, backed by most of the crowd.
- Tonga went in only two points down; the game slipped away in the second half, running into the wind — it was not lost in the first.
Independently verified
New Zealand beat Tonga 34–10 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday 7 November 2026 in the Rugby League World Cup semi-final. The Kiwis' tries: Briton Nikora, Dane Gagai, Casey McLean, Jahrome Hughes, Xavier Willison and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, with Jamayne Isaako kicking five goals. Tonga's points came from two Jojo Fifita tries and an Isaiya Katoa goal. Tonga led 10–6 late in the first half; the Kiwis led 12–10 at half-time and scored 22 unanswered points after it. Kalyn Ponga returned from a broken arm to run the game: the fullback broke his left arm in the tournament opener against Australia on 15 October, had surgery, and played again 23 days later, setting up three of New Zealand's six tries, pulling off a try-saving tackle on Demitric Vaimauga, and being named player of the match. The win puts New Zealand in a World Cup final for the first time since 2013 — when they lost to Australia — and the 2008 champions will play the final at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Sunday 15 November against Australia or Samoa, who meet in the second semi-final in Sydney on Sunday. The match was played in difficult weather — wind gusts above 60 km/h, in NRL.com's account — before a crowd of 29,712. New Zealand's one injury concern for the final is prop Naufahu Whyte, who left the field with an ankle issue early in the second half and did not return.Not yet verified
Nothing outstanding.Match facts — all verified
- ✓ VerifiedNew Zealand beat Tonga 34–10 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday 7 November 2026 in the Rugby League World Cup semi-final. The Kiwis' tries: Briton Nikora, Dane Gagai, Casey McLean, Jahrome Hughes, Xavier Willison and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, with Jamayne Isaako kicking five goals. Tonga's points came from two Jojo Fifita tries and an Isaiya Katoa goal. Tonga led 10–6 late in the first half; the Kiwis led 12–10 at half-time and scored 22 unanswered points after it.NRL.com — Hughes, Ponga steer Kiwis into first World Cup final since 2013 (official match report, 7 Nov 2026) · AAP — Ponga stars as NZ book Cup final spot with Tonga win (7 Nov 2026) · AFP — New Zealand sweep into Rugby League World Cup final (7 Nov 2026) · Rugby League Hub — New Zealand 34 Tonga 10: Kiwis part the red sea (7 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedKalyn Ponga returned from a broken arm to run the game: the fullback broke his left arm in the tournament opener against Australia on 15 October, had surgery, and played again 23 days later, setting up three of New Zealand's six tries, pulling off a try-saving tackle on Demitric Vaimauga, and being named player of the match.AAP — Ponga stars as NZ book Cup final spot with Tonga win (7 Nov 2026) · Love Rugby League — Brilliant Kalyn Ponga justifies huge gamble as New Zealand claim statement win over Tonga (7 Nov 2026) · NRL.com — Hughes, Ponga steer Kiwis into first World Cup final since 2013 (official match report, 7 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedThe win puts New Zealand in a World Cup final for the first time since 2013 — when they lost to Australia — and the 2008 champions will play the final at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Sunday 15 November against Australia or Samoa, who meet in the second semi-final in Sydney on Sunday.AFP — New Zealand sweep into Rugby League World Cup final (7 Nov 2026) · AAP — Ponga stars as NZ book Cup final spot with Tonga win (7 Nov 2026) · NRL.com — Hughes, Ponga steer Kiwis into first World Cup final since 2013 (official match report, 7 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedThe match was played in difficult weather — wind gusts above 60 km/h, in NRL.com's account — before a crowd of 29,712. New Zealand's one injury concern for the final is prop Naufahu Whyte, who left the field with an ankle issue early in the second half and did not return.NRL.com — Hughes, Ponga steer Kiwis into first World Cup final since 2013 (official match report, 7 Nov 2026) · Rugby League Hub — New Zealand 34 Tonga 10: Kiwis part the red sea (7 Nov 2026)