New Zealand come from behind to beat Tonga in Newcastle and reach Rugby League World Cup final
New Zealand came from behind to beat Tonga in a Rugby League World Cup semi-final in Newcastle on 7 November 2026, booking a place in next weekend’s final. They will face the winner of the other semi between Australia and Samoa.
Jason Taumalolo’s decision to switch his international allegiance in 2017 is credited in the match report with helping spark the rise of nations such as Tonga and Samoa, and Tonga’s 2017 win over New Zealand as a tier-two nation is noted as a landmark in that progression. The Kiwis had not reached a World Cup final since 2013 and now have the chance to win the title for the first time since 2008 next weekend. The account records Taumalolo slumping to the turf as full-time sounded in Newcastle, with his international career described as likely over. The report frames the semi-final as a measure of how far chasing nations must improve to match Australia and New Zealand.
New Zealand’s selection decision to restore Kalyn Ponga at full-back, 23 days after he broke his forearm in the tournament opener, yielded an immediate reward when Ponga teed up Briton Nikora for the opening try after five minutes. Tonga responded strongly with two tries from Jojo Fifita — one finishing a long-range break and another powered over from close range — which put the Mate Ma’a into the lead. Supporters of Tonga, described in the report as bringing colour and enjoyment to the tournament, were reported as dreaming of history at that stage. As half-time approached, the Kiwis reacted better to worsening conditions.
The kicking games of Jahrome Hughes and Kalyn Ponga were described as vital to New Zealand’s response, with Ponga’s kick leading to Dane Gagai’s score three minutes before the break; Jamayne Isaako converted to give New Zealand a two-point half-time lead. The report says New Zealand then scored 22 unanswered points as conditions deteriorated. The narrative states, “Isaako was magnificent from the tee, defying the swirling wind and driving rain to convert all four Kiwis tries.”
New Zealand extended their advantage eight minutes after the restart when Casey McLean scored what the report describes as his 18th try in eight Tests. Tonga were then said to have misjudged a clever Kiwis kick, allowing Jahrome Hughes to score New Zealand’s fourth. With a 14-point buffer established, the report records that the game was in New Zealand’s control.
Xavier Willison is credited with New Zealand’s fifth try later in the match, and the final act is reported to have gone to the Kiwis when a James Fisher-Harris kick was grounded by Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. The account states that New Zealand completed a double success in Newcastle after the Kiwi Ferns beat Samoa to reach the women’s final. The report concludes that, despite the rise of Samoa and Tonga, the Kangaroos and Kiwis still possess another level when stakes are highest.
New Zealand team and scorers listed in the report were: Ponga; Isaako, Gagai, McLean, Nicoll-Klokstad; Nikorima, Hughes; Fisher-Harris, Marshall-King, Leota, Papalii, Nikora, Tapine. Interchange: Whyte, Clark, Willison, Crossland. Tries: Nikora, Gagai, McLean, Hughes, Willison, Nicoll-Klokstad. Goals: Isaako 5. Tonga team and interchange listed were: Hopoate; Watene-Zelezniak, Koula, Alamoti, Fifita; Lolohea, Katoa; Fonua-Blake, Foketi, Taumalolo, Olakau’atu, Wong, Frizell. Interchange: Utoikamanu, Vaimauga, Paseka, Halasima.
New Zealand progress to next weekend’s final, where they will meet the winner of Australia v Samoa, with the match report noting the Kiwis now have an opportunity to win the World Cup for the first time since 2008.