New Zealand vs Tonga: International rugby league live scores, blog

New Zealand Kiwis vs Mate Ma'a Tonga
2019 Oceania Cup, Pool A, Game 1
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Match time: Fulltime
New Zealand		Tonga
34	SCORE	10
6	Tries	3
5	Conversions	1
0	Penalty Goals	0
0	Field Goals	0

Scoring plays

New Zealand	Time	Tonga
TRY - B.Smith	12'
CON - E.Marsters	13'
	22'	TRY - S.Kata
TRY - S.Johnson	30'
CON - E.Marsters	32'
TRY - S.Johnson	40'
TRY - S.Johnson	44'
CON - E.Marsters	45'
TRY - J.Hughes	61'
CON - E.Marsters	63'
TRY - J.Manu	68'
CON - E.Marsters	69'
	73'	TRY - S.Taukeiaho
	74'	CON - S.Taukeiaho
	77'	TRY - D.Tupou

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New Zealand and Tonga will clash in Auckland to kick-off a huge afternoon of international rugby league during the NRL representative round. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3:40pm (AEST).

While Tonga have previously been part of the international double or triple-header in Sydney, usually taking on Samoa, they are given a huge opportunity this afternoon to play New Zealand.

This match also forms the first game of the newly created Oceania Cup, which also features Australia in Pool A. Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Fiji are the teams in the other division.

Any matches not played this weekend will take place after the NRL season in the international window that is November.

But, back to this game in Auckland, and what a belter it promises to be. We have seen what the Tongans are capable of over the years, and for the most part, its on the back of their humungous forward pack, which is one of the scariest ever assembled in any game of rugby league.

Even without the suspended Andrew Fifita today, they still have Jason Taumalolo to lead names like the NRL’s most in-form front rower Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Addin Fonua Blake, Tevita Pangai Junior and Manu Ma’u, while Peni Terepo and Sitili Tupouniua come from the bench.

Basically, it’s going to be non-stop for the Kiwi defence, and if they can’t find a way to match it up the middle, it’s not going to matter that they have a quality spine.

Of course, the Kiwis are no slouches in the middle third, with Jesse Bromwich and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves to lead the charge.

Where New Zealand take the advantage into this game is in the spine. Benji Marshall has been given a Test recall to play alongside reigning Dally M Medalist Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Shaun Johnson and young gun Brandon Smith.

So long as they get enough of the ball, they should find ways to score against defensive combinations which could be a bit all over the shop out wide for the Tongans.

Prediction
I have to take New Zealand on the strength of their spine, but an upset wouldn’t stun me here. That Tongan forward pack is so good.

Whatever the case, you know it’ll be firey, and plenty of passion will be displayed on both sides in front of a packed house, which is really what these games are all about.

Kiwis by 6

Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this international rugby league Test between New Zealand and Tonga from 3:40pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.

Game information

Kick-off: 3:40pm (AEST), 5:40pm (NZST)
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
TV: Live, Fox League 502, 9Gem
Online: Live, Foxtel App, Foxtel Now, Kayo Sports, 9Now
Betting: New Zealand $1.58, Tonga $2.35
Overall record: Played 5, New Zealand 4, Tonga 1
Last meeting: November 11, 2017, Tonga 28 defeat New Zealand 22
Referee: Ben Cummins

New Zealand Kiwis
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Ken Maumalo 3. Esan Marsters 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Benji Marshall 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 11. Kenneath Bromwich 12. Briton Nikora 13. Isaac Liu
Interchange: 14. Jahrome Hughes 15. Leeson Ah Mau 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. James Fisher-Harris 18. Zane Tetevano 19. Kieran Foran

Mate Ma’a Tonga
1. Will Hopoate 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Solomone Kata 5. David Fusitua 6. John Asiata 7. Tuimoala Lolohea 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Siliva Havili 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Tevita Pangai Junior 12. Manu Ma’u 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Manase Fainu 15. Addin Fonua-Blake 16. Peni Terepo 17. Sitili Tupouniua 18. Sione Katoa 19. Tevita Tatola

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Scott Pryde

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Scott has penned over 3000 articles and is one of The Roar's longest-serving writers, covering a wide range of sports. When he isn't writing about sport, you'll find him umpiring at the cricket, or on the hill at Kogarah supporting the Dragons.