Tonga has emerged victorious in one of the most thrilling rugby league Test matches ever, holding off New Zealand 25-24 to secure their spot in their first-ever tier-one final. The epic encounter in Auckland saw Tonga leading 24-0 at halftime before the Kiwis managed to draw level with just 13 minutes remaining. Isaiya Katoa then sealed the deal for Tonga with a 75th-minute drop goal from 30 meters out, putting them back in the lead. Despite several missed opportunities by New Zealand, including a wide penalty shot from Jamayne Isaako and a charged-down attempt by Shaun Johnson, Tonga held on for the win.
The victory marked Tonga’s first win over a tier-one nation in five years and only their fourth in history, propelling them to the Pacific Cup final against Australia next Sunday at CommBank Stadium. Tonga’s captain, Addin Fonua-Blake, expressed his elation, stating, “This is unforgettable. We wanted to fight fire with fire. We knew New Zealand had a world-class front row and team. They came back, it shows how gutsy they are. They can hold their heads up high. It was a great game.”
In the first half, Tonga dominated New Zealand, with their pack playing the opening 30 minutes without substitution and easily penetrating the Kiwis’ defense. Fonua-Blake scored one of Tonga’s four first-half tries, contributing to his 214 meters for the game. Jason Taumalolo also had a stellar performance with 188 meters, while Sione Katoa was a force on the wing, scoring Tonga’s opener. However, as the game progressed, New Zealand began to regain possession and Tonga seemed to tire.
New Zealand’s Isaiah Papali’i breathed new life into his team when he scored on the right edge, and Kini began to slice through Tonga’s left edge. Johnson stepped up in attack, producing a crucial try-saver in defense. New Zealand managed to draw level at 24-24, but Katoa’s drop goal in the 75th minute secured Tonga’s historic victory.
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