Live: World Cup semifinal — New Zealand vs Tonga
By Michael Doyle
Casey McLean has spoken to ABC Sport following New Zealand's 34-10 win over Tonga in the Rugby League World Cup semifinal.
The centre scored a try, and will now head to Brisbane for the final.
The semi against Tonga was tense before the kick-off, with a stare-down between both sets of players following the Sipi Tau and Haka.
Speaking with ABC Sport, McLean said it was a special moment to be part of.
We have such mana boys in our team that are leaders.
We've just got to follow them, especially myself.
I can learn so much off them, not just about being a player, but [also] my culture. They're front runners for Māori boys and Kiwi boys.
FT: New Zealand 34 def. Tonga 10
Kalyn Ponga has returned from a broken arm to lead New Zealand to the Rugby League World Cup final after a tense and weather-affected semifinal against Tonga.
Ponga, who suffered the broken arm 23 days ago in the tournament's opening match against Australia, had three try assists and a try-saving tackle, to inspire the Kiwis to a 34-10 win.
New Zealand will face either Australia or Samoa in next Sunday's final at Lang Park in Brisbane.
80' TRY: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (5) scores for New Zealand
The Kiwis have scored with the final play of the game.
They threw the footy around, trying to run the clock out.
Forward Erin Clark decided to put in a kick for the in-goal, and that kick was PERFECT.
Winger Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad charges onto the ball and grounds it.
New Zealand 34
Tonga 10
70' TRY: Xavier Willison (17) scores for New Zealand
It's lay-down misère — New Zealand are going to the final.
Xavier Willison, who just came onto the field after passing a HIA, has stormed onto a short pass from Kalyn Ponga and crossed for New Zealand's fifth try.
This game is over.
New Zealand 28
Tonga 10
69' Tonga camped on their own goal-line
Tonga are 14 points down with 11 minutes to play.
They have had to defend several sets on their own line, just to keep themselves in the contest.
They are going to need something special to get back into the semifinal.
New Zealand 24
Tonga 10
59' Tonga cannot kick long as wind remains intense
This strong wind you keep reading about is having a massive impact on this match.
Essentially, the wind is directly behind the Kiwis, and Tonga is struggling.
Halfback Isaiya Katoa tried kicking long down the field for territory, but the ball was held up by the wind, and barely went 20 metres.
54' TRY: Jahrome Hughes (7) scores for New Zealand
The weather has wreaked havoc again.
The Kiwis put up another high kick that Tongan fullback Lehi Hopoate cannot get to.
Hopoate then drops the ball, and New Zealand have the ball with a great chance to score.
And the Kiwis do score.
Halfback Jahrome Hughes throws a dummy, then steps inside and through the defensive line to score.
In the context of this match, and with rain coming down, this is a big lead.
New Zealand 24
Tonga 10
51' New Zealand go close as wind wreaks havoc
A high kick from New Zealand gets caught in the wind, and blows away from everyone and towards to Tongan goal-line.
The ball bounced into the in-goal, but the Kiwis were unable to ground the footy.
48' TRY: Casey McLean (4) scores for New Zealand
What a passage of rugby league.
It started with Tonga making a big break, before a huge shot by Kiwi centre Dane Gagai forced the ball loose.
The Kiwis then rolled down the field and were on the doorstep of the Tongan goal-line.
Left centre Casey McLean got the ball, then produced a step to beat fellow Penrith Panthers teammate Paul Alamoti to score.
With a massive wind running up and down the field, Jamayne Isaako has a kick from the left touchline. Isaako kicks the footy essentially to the centre of the field, and the wind pushes it between the sticks.
New Zealand 18
Tonga 10
46' Lehi Hopoate saves the day for Tonga
New Zealand runs the ball on the final play, and the short-side raid leads to Dane Gagai running for the goal-line.
Only Tongan fullback Lehi Hopoate can stop him, and the Tongan number 1 nails the ball-and-all tackle.
New Zealand 12
Tonga 10
44' New Zealand miss a huge chance
Jahrome Hughes slices through the Tonga defence.
He runs clear and then passes for Briton Nikora, who will score if he catches the ball cleanly.
But a Tongan hand knocks the footy off course, and Nikora drops the ball.
New Zealand 12
Tonga 10
42' Kiwis defend their goal-line
The Kiwis needed to defend stoutly to start the second half, and they did.
Tonga threw plenty at the Kiwis, but could not score a try to take the lead.
New Zealand 12
Tonga 10
Tonga kick the ball out, on the bounce, from the kick-off
The wind has picked up in Newcastle.
Tonga is kicking into the wind, and the kick-off to start the second half falls short.
New Zealand players allow the ball to bounce, and it goes out. Tonga get the ball.
A massive second half is just minutes away
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 6
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)
