@_profitpartner: 🇳🇿 ONE WIN AWAY FROM WORLD CUP GLORY! 🏆 A powerful second-half performance carried New Zealand to a 34–10 victory over Tonga in Newcastle, booking the Kiwis their first Rugby League World Cup final appearance since 2013. 🔥 Tonga made them earn it early. After Briton Nikora crossed from a Kalyn Ponga-created opportunity, Jojo Fifita sparked the Tongan response. A brilliant long-range movement involving Tui Lolohea and Tolu Koula ended with Fifita scoring, before his second try handed Tonga a 10–6 advantage. Dane Gagai struck before the break to put New Zealand back in front 12–10, leaving the semi-final firmly in the balance. 🌧️ The second half belonged to the Kiwis. With wind and rain sweeping across McDonald Jones Stadium, New Zealand applied pressure through their kicking game and turned field position into points. Casey McLean and Jahrome Hughes crossed with individual efforts to stretch the lead to 24–10. Xavier Willison then powered over, before Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad finished an Erin Clark kick on the siren to complete the scoring. A 22–0 second half sealed Tonga’s exit and sent New Zealand into the decider. ⭐ Returning from a broken arm, Ponga made his presence felt in attack and defence. Alongside creating Nikora’s opening try, his crucial tackle on Demitric Vaimauga denied Tonga another scoring opportunity. Hughes helped steer the Kiwis home with his kicking game and a try of his own. 🏉 TRYSCORERS 🇳🇿 New Zealand: Briton Nikora, Dane Gagai, Casey McLean, Jahrome Hughes, Xavier Willison and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. 🇹🇴 Tonga: Jojo Fifita — 2. 🎯 CONVERSIONS 🇳🇿 Jamayne Isaako: 5/6. 🇹🇴 Isaiya Katoa: 1/2. Plenty of heart from Tonga, but New Zealand’s execution after halftime proved decisive. The Kiwis now await the winner of Australia v Samoa. 👀 Who was your standout player — and can the Kiwis lift the trophy? 👇 #RLWC2026 #NZKiwis #MateMaaTonga #RugbyLeague #NRL

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Saturday 07 November 2026 13:51:00 GMT