Tonga claim drama-filled Kiwi win to set up Australia showdown
Tonga have produced an epic boilover, surviving a dramatic clash with New Zealand to reach the tournament final against Australia.
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Tonga have clinched a historic victory, downing New Zealand 25-24, to book their spot against Australia in the Pacific Championships final.
Tonga burst out of the blocks in Auckland and scored four unanswered tries in the opening 32 minutes to leave the home crowd stunned.
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Trailing 24-0, the Kiwis finally got on the board through an Isaiah Papali’i try in the 35th minute but the hosts still went to the break in a huge hole.
The Kiwis were a different side after the break, however, running in three tries in a 16-minute stretch to level the scores at 24-24.
Their run was capped by an incredible solo try from veteran prop Joe Tapine in the 66th minute.
The hosts had all the momentum before 20-year-old Isaiya Katoa slotted a long-range field goal in the 76th minute that proved the difference.
Yet the drama was far from finished.
New Zealand fullback Jamayne Isaako had a chance to win it at the death with a 44-metre penalty goal but it sailed wide, while he also missed a late field goal.
Kiwi veteran Shaun Johnson had a field goal charged down and they challenged the call that his legs weren’t taken out, only for the Bunker to agree with the on-field decision.
The victory, which Addin Fonua-Blake later described as “unforgettable”, means Tonga will now contest their first major final when they face Australia in Sydney next Sunday.
The Kangaroos opened these championships with an 18-0 victory over Tonga back on October 18, but this Tongan side has improved markedly since then.
For New Zealand, they now have to play the top team from the secondary Bowl competition — likely to be Papua New Guinea or Fiji — just to remain in the top tier in 2025.
It is a huge fall for the Kiwis, coming just 12 months after they thrashed Australia 30-0 to win the inaugural Pacific Championships crown.
TEAMS
New Zealand: 1. Keano Kini 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Peta Hiku 5. William Warbrick 6. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 7. Shaun Johnson 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Scott Sorensen 17. Leo Thompson 13. Naufahu Whyte 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Griffin Neame 16. Marata Niukore. 18th man: 18. Erin Clark
Tonga: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Moses Suli 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Sione Katoa 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Siliva Havili 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Soni Luke 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Taniela Paseka 17. Siua Wong. 18th man: 18. Tolutau Koula
Originally published as Tonga claim drama-filled Kiwi win to set up Australia showdown
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