Tonga have scored five second-half tries to upset New Zealand 28-22 in a thrilling contest in front of a packed house at Waikato Stadium.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
New Zealand 22
Tonga 28
The most eagerly anticipated clash of the Rugby League World Cup pool rounds will see New Zealand take on Tonga. Join The Roar for a live blog of the match on Saturday afternoon at Waikato Stadium in New Zealand from 3pm (AEDT).
This match had spice added to it when Jason Taumalolo made the late decision to switch his allegiance from the Kiwis to Tonga for this tournament. He’s bound to receive a frosty reception from both New Zealand fans and his former Test teammates.
Both teams are undefeated at the tournament – each won matches against Samoa and Scotland – but New Zealand have racked up more points and conceded less, so they’ll start as favourites.
With two wins, each nation has already qualified for the quarter-finals, but top spot in Pool B is up for grabs, which would mean an easier opponent in next week’s quarters.
The winner will most likely play Lebanon if other results this weekend pan out as expected, while the loser will face Fiji.
New Zealand have made three changes to the team that thumped Scotland 74-6 last week, with wingers Jordan Rapana and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak replacing Peta Hiku and Jason Nightingale, while Thomas Leuluai comes in for Elijah Taylor at hooker.
The Tongans have been forced to make one change to the team that beat Samoa 32-18 last week, with centre Konrad Hurrell named in place of the injured Solomone Kata.
Prediction
Tonga by 4 in an upset.
Join The Roar for a live blog of the match between New Zealand and Tonga on Saturday afternoon at Waikato Stadium in New Zealand from 3pm (AEDT).
You are so far off it's not funny.
Cedric
Guest
when you only have 30% possession for the 2nd half it's no doubt they were only a shade of their 1st half. Tonga were no shrinking violets but with 70% of possession and the talent they have they were going to rip apart any team. The ref, Sutton, early in the 2nd half made 3 straight calls against the Kiwis, all of which were head shakers, later the calls kept coming. Not sure about the whole event, the Tongan songs on the PA not after the game but during the game, the massive Tongan attendance, was the game in Nuku'alofa? Maybe Sutton thought he was there because the Tongan team were given a massive leg up by him. Shades of All Blacks vs France!
Joe
Guest
Mate the Maori's in the Kiwi's squad cant even speak maori
Damo
Guest
Hopefully the NRL let these nations actually play proper internationals in the season every year. SOO time is perfect. But they wont in case it undermines SOO and their precious NRL.
TC123
Guest
They played well for 30 minutes. You realise the game goes for 80mins don't you?
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Yeah, I thought their first half was very good but they just seemed to go into their shells in the second half.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
These mid season PI testsare great but how many will pull out for SOO
Renegade
Roar Guru
For those too dense to get the first comment.... “it’s going to do enough” meant it’s something that is going to happen. Thought it was pretty obvious. Who seriously doesn’t think that, Tonga progressing deep into an international tournament for the first time in any sport is going to have an impact on the country.
Fred
Guest
The Kiwis actually played well - just shows how strong Tonga is
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Yes because it was important to ensure that a tier two nation didnt beat a tier one nation. Kind of like how Australia have to play in the heat of Darwin in order to even up the competition. Oh, wait... Come now Maestro, your bag of tricks has a leak in it.
TC123
Guest
Great result for Tonga and a well deserved win. I can't help but think the Kiwis have gone back 20 years under Kidwell. He's a shocking coach and will be looking for a new job hopefully.
Mack
Guest
Nope I'm in Auckland and saw about 1000 Tongans at a meet in greet. Yip plenty at the ground but so was there for The RWC also. But hey why not throw in some more hyperbole.
Tom G
Guest
Tonga was superb, Kiwis just as good.. great game by two highly entertaining sides. I'm sure that there will be those who could wax lyrical about the technical deficiencies of both teams but I think people come to see this type of footy and prefer it. This comp has proved one thing to me and that is that refereeing with one official and video ref has to come back to the NRL.. the only thing that two refs and a bunker have produced is an increase in the admin cos, linesman that now do nothing except stand behind goal for kicks, plus a bunch of guys sitting in a darkened room that get it right at about the same percentage rate as the one video ref
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
hehe
Renegade
Roar Guru
You must have missed the last couple of weeks....
Mack
Guest
National sport of tonga?! Don't think so... 15000 tongans came to auckland airport to welcome the team at the start of the RWC. There has never been another gathering like that.
Nardio
Guest
Wonderful game and great result for Tonga and rugby league. The boost the World Cup needed.
Fred
Guest
Fiji made the semis the last two world cups, and I think this is the strongest team they've ever had. My Tiger Kevin is playing far better for Fiji than he does for us, Hayne's going well in the halves, they've got probably the best winger in the game.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Salivating much.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
That's why the game's administrators must take this chance to keep the momentum going. Matches need to be staged with these nations during next year's Origin series.