Live: World Cup semifinal — New Zealand vs Tonga
By Michael Doyle
HT: New Zealand 12 lead Tonga 10
That brings an end to the first half — and what a half of footy it was.
The Kiwis exploded out of the gate, with Briton Nikora scoring in the third minute.
New Zealand dominated the opening 20 minutes, before Tonga winger Jojo Fifita made a line break from his own goal-line, setting up a break down the left wing by Tolutau Koula, who then threw it back to Fifita for the try.
Fifita was in for a second to give Tonga the lead, but a mistake from fullback Lehi Hopoate allowed Kiwi Dane Gagai to score and give the Kiwis a 12-10 half-time lead.
37' TRY: Dane Gagai (3) scores for New Zealand
It is a disaster for Tonga.
Jahrome Hughes puts in a grubber for Kalyn Ponga to chase.
Tonga fullback Lehi Hopoate has it covered, but he looks over his shoulder before he gathers the ball, AND HE BOBBLES IT.
He is taken out by Ponga — that is legal.
The ball bounces around the in-goal and Dane Gagai is there to ground the ball for the Kiwis.
Jamayne Isaako nails the conversion to give the Kiwis the lead.
New Zealand 12
Tonga 10
33' TRY: Jojo Fifita (5) scores a second try for Tonga
Tonga has the lead.
With a scrum just 10 metres from the New Zealand line, the Tongans shifted to the left and winger Jojo Fifita was able to reach out and ground the ball with one arm, with a defender all over him.
New Zealand 6
Tonga 10
32' Kalyn Ponga makes a stunning try-saving tackle
Kalyn Ponga is playing without fear.
Big Tongan Demitric Vaimauga was charging to the line, but Ponga was able to come across and made an amazing one-on-one tackle.
24' Tonga lose their captain's challenge
A bad challenge from Tonga.
They are penalised after Salesi Foketi illegally stripped the ball.
Tonga claimed the other defender in that tackle, Haumole Olakau'atu, was not actually holding onto the ball carrier.
That might be technically true, but he is underneath him in a tackle motion, and the bunker ruled the challenge unsuccessful.
New Zealand 6
Tonga 6
21' TRY: Tonga go length of the field
Tonga has just scored one of the great World Cup tries.
Jojo Fifita collected a kick on his goal-line, but broke through two defenders and was away.
He passes to his left, and then another pass to Tolutau Koula has the centre streaking down the wing.
Koula draws in Kiwi fullback Kalyn Ponga, then passes back to Fifita, who scores under the posts.
We are level.
New Zealand 6
Tonga
20' Salesi Foketi nails Kalyn Ponga
WHACK.
Kalyn Ponga is returning a kick, and gets absolutely walloped by Tongan hooker Salesi Foketi.
That has set the tone.
19' Kiwis miss a huge chance
Brilliant from the Kiwis.
Centre Casey McLean made a big break up the middle, getting the Kiwis into an attacking position.
The Tongans had to scramble for a full set.
On the final play, the Kiwis looked to have an overlap, but Joseph Tapine was unable to quickly catch and pass, dropping the footy.
New Zealand 6
Tonga 0
16' Kiwis defend the goal-line well
Tonga tried to force their way over the goal-line, but the Kiwi defence was strong.
The Tongans got a fresh set of six after an infringement by the Kiwis (I think they were offside).
But the Kiwis were able to hold, with a last-play kick to the corner dropped by the Tongans.
14' Tonga get a big chance
Tonga has a big chance.
They were awarded a penalty just 10 metres out after Kiwi winger Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad obstructed the Tonga kick-chase.
James Fisher-Harris (NZ) on report for raised knee while running with the ball
12' Both teams settle into the contest
New Zealand and Tonga have both settled into this match.
Kalyn Ponga, 23 days after breaking his arm, looks threatening every time he has the ball.
The Kiwis are winning the territory battle, but the Tongans have had an attacking grubber to the in-goal, which was defused by the Kiwis.
3' TRY: Briton Nikora (12) scores for New Zealand
BANG.
The Kiwis struck first, and they struck fast.
New Zealand fullback Kalyn Ponga started the passage of play with a raid down the sideline, getting the Kiwis into position.
Ponga then gave a lovely short pass to Briton Nikora, and the back-rower muscles his way over the line.
New Zealand 6
Tonga 0
KICK-OFF: New Zealand vs Tonga
Tonga will have the first use of the ball, and prop Addin Fonua-Blake takes the first run.
He is met by a wall of black jerseys.
The Tongas get to their kick, and Kiwi fullback Kalyn Ponga collects the footy and makes his first run.
New Zealand and Tonga stare each other down
One of the most intense pre-match war cries has just taken place.
Tonga was intense with the Sipi Tau, but copped a mighty reply from the New Zealand Haka.
Then, THE STARE DOWN.
Both sets of players stood, for what felt like an eternity, neither wanting to back down.
New Zealand and Tonga walk onto Hunter Stadium
There is a massive crowd at Hunter Stadium, and there is plenty of red in the crowd.
MATCH WRAP: New Zealand into women's final with dominant win
New Zealand cross-code superstar Stacey Waaka leads her country to another women's Rugby League World Cup final, scoring three tries in a dominant win over Fetu Samoa.
Team lists: Tonga
Paul Alamoti (20) is in at centre, replacing the injured Robert Toia.
Backs
1 Lehi Hopoate
2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3 Tolutau Koula
20 Paul Alamoti
5 Jojo Fifita
6 Tuimoala Lolohea
7 Isaiya Katoa
Forwards
8 Addin Fonua-Blake
9 Salesi Foketi
10 Jason Taumalolo
11 Haumole Olakau'atu
12 Siua Wong
13 Tyson Frizell
Interchange
14 Soni Luke
15 Stefano Utoikamanu
16 Demitric Vaimauga
17 Taniela Paseka
18 Leka Halasima
19 Latu Fainu
Team lists: New Zealand
New Zealand have two MASSIVE ins.
Kalyn Ponga, 23 days after breaking his arm, will start at fullback for the Kiwis. That means Keano Kini goes back to the bench.
Meanwhile, Phoenix Crossland has been added to the six-man bench. He missed the pool matches due to suspension after a hip-drop tackle on Nathan Cleary in Newcastle's preliminary final win over Penrith in September.
Backs
21 Kalyn Ponga
2 Jamayne Isaako
3 Dane Gagai
4 Casey McLean
5 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
6 Kodi Nikorima
7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
8 James Fisher-Harris
9 Jeremy Marshall-King
10 Moses Leota
11 Isaiah Papali'i
12 Briton Nikora
13 Joseph Tapine
Interchange
1 Keano Kini
14 Te Maire Martin
15 Naufahu Whyte
16 Erin Clark
17 Xavier Willison
22 Phoenix Crossland
What time is kick-off between the New Zealand and Tonga
Here is when the men's Rugby League World Cup semifinal between New Zealand and Tonga will begin in each Australian state and territory, and each country in the tournament.
8:05pm AEDT: NSW, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania
7:35pm ACDT: South Australia
7:05pm AEST: Queensland, PNG
6:35pm ACST: Northern Territory
5:35pm AWST: Western Australia
9:05pm FJT: Fiji
10:05pm NZDT: New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa
11:05pm CKT: Cook Islands
9:05am BST: United Kingdom
10:05am CET: France
11:05pm EET: Lebanon
Player of the match Stacey Waaka speaks after New Zealand's semfinal win
A tremendous outing for Stacey Waaka.
She scored three tries in the semifinal, and now has a chance to add the Rugby League World Cup to her list of accomplishments.
Waaka has already won two Olympic gold medals in rugby 7s and two women's Rugby Union World Cups for New Zealand.
"A really close first half, but the team who was going to win was the one who played right to the end, then I think we done that," Waaka told the 7 Network post-match
"I love playing games with these young guns. It's fun learning off them too, because they've been in the game a little bit longer, but I'm just enjoying the whole experience.
"I can't wait for this next week and bring on whoever is in the final with us."
FULL-TIME: New Zealand 32 def. Fetu Samoa 0
New Zealand has secured its place in a seventh consecutive women's Rugby League World Cup final after beating Fetu Samoa 32-0.
Having made the decider in all six previous tournaments, flyer Stacey Waaka scored three tries to guide her nation to semifinal triumph.
New Zealand will face either Australia or Fiji, who play the second semifinal in Sydney on Sunday.
67' TRY: Raecene McGregor (7) scores for New Zealand
The scoreline is starting to get out of hand.
The Kiwi Ferns again roll down the field, picking apart a very tired Fetu Samoa defence.
Captain Raecene McGregor has scored under the posts.
New Zealand 32
Fetu Samoa 0
64' TRY: Stacey Waaka (4) scores a hat-trick
Oh. What a pass from Annessa Biddle.
The Kiwi Ferns were keeping the ball alive near the Fetu Samoa goal-line.
Interchange Annessa Biddle leaps over a downed defender and, while in the air, throws a one-handed flick pass to Stacey Waaka, who scores a third try.
New Zealand 26
Fetu Samoa 0
60' TRY: Kaiyah Atai (12) scores for New Zealand
New Zealand have marched down the field and scored a fourth try.
Quick play-the-balls allowed the Kiwi Ferns to roll down the field, with Fetu Samoa's defence in retreat.
Kaiyah Atai charged onto a short pass with defenders back-pedalling, and Atai muscled her way to the goal-line.
That's it — lay-down misère. New Zealand are going to win.
New Zealand 22
Fetu Samoa 0
58' TRY: Mele Hufanga (3) scores for New Zealand
That should be it.
The Kiwi Ferns had a goal-line dropout, which was dropped over the sideline by Samoan halfback Pauline Piliae-Rasabale.
That took the air out of this match, as it felt like Samoa's chances were running out.
The Kiwi Ferns, aided by a penalty, marched down the field.
Destructive centre Mele Hufanga got the ball near the goal-line and shrugged off three defenders to score.
New Zealand 18
Fetu Samoa 0
52' Alexis Tauaneai drops the ball with the line begging
The match could have been sealed for the Kiwi Ferns.
Ashleigh Quinlan made the linebreak near the goal-line, and as she was being tackled, passed inside to Alexis Tauaneai.
But Tauaneai could not hold onto the footy, and a certain try goes begging.
New Zealand 14
Fetu Samoa 0
50' Fetu Samoa throws fourth forward pass as rain falls
Fetu Samoa has been its own worst enemy.
With the ball at halfway line, halfback Pauline Piliae-Rasabale tried to throw a cut-out pass to an open winger, but it went forward.
That is Fetu Samoa's fourth forward pass in this match.
New Zealand 14
Fetu Samoa 0
44' TRY: Stacey Waaka (4) scores for New Zealand
Excellent from New Zealand.
The play started with the Kiwi Ferns shifting to the left, then they passed back to the right.
Raecene McGregor put in a perfect little kick that was caught by a charging Stacey Waaka, who scored.
New Zealand 14
Fetu Samoa 0
Kalyn Ponga to start for Kiwis against Tonga
We have HUGE news from the New Zealand Kiwis.
Kalyn Ponga will start at fullback in tonight's semifinal against Tonga.
Ponga broke his arm in the opening match of the tournament against Australia — 23 days ago.
Second half begins between New Zealand and Fetu Samoa
New Zealand, holding an eight-point lead, has the first use of the second half.
The Kiwi Ferns have an incident-free set, and kick clear.
The wind is still strong and will play a roll in this match.
History on the side of the Kiwi Ferns
This is the seventh Women's Rugby League World Cup.
New Zealand have made it into the final in EVERY tournament.
They won the first three (2000, 2003, 2008), and have lost the final to Australia in the other three (2013, 2017, 2021).
HT: New Zealand 8 lead Fetu Samoa 0
That is the end of 35 minutes.
New Zealand have two tries and lead 8-0 over Fetu Samoa.
Neither team has been at their best, highlighting how tense a World Cup semifinal is.
34' Kiwi Ferns throw away a great chance
The Kiwi Ferns had a scrum near halfway and could have had a full set to try and get a third try.
But a forward pass on the opening play of the set ended any hopes of a double-digit lead at the break.
Rain is heading for Newcastle
Bit of weather comming down?
- Mike
The clouds are getting bigger, and look dark.
The wind has also picked up, which will making catching the high ball very tricky.
25' TRY: Stacey Waaka (4) scores for New Zealand
A lovely little chip kick to the in-goal from New Zealand halfback Raecene McGregor landed between two Fetuy Samoa players.
Samoan winger Mercedez Taulelei-Siala needed to attack the footy, but she backed off and let it bounce.
Kiwi Ferns star centre Stacey Waaka charged onto the loose ball and scored.
Meanwhile, the weather is looking ominous.
Thick, dark clouds are heading to Hunter Stadium, and the wind is so strong that the ball would not stay on the kicking tee.
New Zealand 8
Fetu Samoa 0
19' Kiwi Ferns hold on the goal line
Terrific defence from New Zealand.
They had to defend four sets on their goal line, and they did it brilliantly.
A big worry for Fetu Samoa as they never really looked like scoring.
New Zealand 4
Fetu Samoa 0
18' Fetu Samoa attack, and attack
Fetu Samoa got themselves to the goal line, then shifted left.
The Samoans won a penalty after a player was taken without the footy by New Zealand captain Raecene McGregor.
With another set at the goal line, Fetu Samoa continued to threaten, but the Kiwi Ferns defence was firm.
Fetu Samoa got a third chance when a pass was knocked down by the Kiwi Ferns, and then a fourth set when New Zealand were called offside.
New Zealand 4
Fetu Samoa 0
15' Fetu Samoa with a great chance
Fetu Samoa has their best chance of the match, thus far.
Hooker Mary-Jane Taito nailed New Zealand winger Leianne Tufuga and forced the ball loose, giving Fetu Samoa a scrum just 20 metres out.
New Zealand 4
Fetu Samoa 0
10' Kiwi Ferns threaten to score
Fetu Samoa needed to scramble to prevent a second try.
Mackenzie Wiki made a run for the right corner and was forced to throw the ball inside.
