New Zealand defeat Tonga to reach Rugby League World Cup final
New Zealand defeated Tonga 34-10 in their semi-final match to advance to their first Rugby League World Cup final since 2013.
FTMQ News, written by our newsroom1 view

New Zealand defeated Tonga 34-10 in their semi-final match to reach the Rugby League World Cup final, BBC News and ABC News Australia reported. BBC News reported that the victory sends New Zealand to their first World Cup final since 2013. [1][7]
Kalyn Ponga returned from a broken arm just 23 days after suffering the injury to play for New Zealand, BBC News and ABC News Australia reported. BBC News reported that head coach Stacey Jones selected Ponga in the team despite initial expectations that he would play a limited role off the bench. [1][7]
According to BBC News, New Zealand scored tries through Nikora, Gagai, McLean, Hughes, Willison, and Nicoll-Klokstad. Player Isaako added five goals to complete the scoring for New Zealand. [1]
In the Women's Rugby League World Cup semi-final, New Zealand defeated Samoa 32-0 in Newcastle, BBC Sport and the Guardian both reported. The Guardian reported that Stacey Waaka scored a hat-trick of tries to help secure the victory. [2][3]
In short
- New Zealand defeated Tonga 34-10 to reach their first Rugby League World Cup final since 2013.
- Kalyn Ponga returned 23 days after breaking his arm to play for New Zealand.
- The New Zealand women's team defeated Samoa 32-0 in their semi-final match in Newcastle.
- Stacey Waaka scored three tries during the New Zealand women's victory over Samoa.
Sources
Every paragraph above points to the numbered items it rests on. Read the originals here.
- [1]Ponga-inspired New Zealand reach World Cup finalBBC News, 1h ago (the report this story comes from)
- [2]New Zealand sweep aside Samoa to reach Women's World Cup finalBBC Sport, 4h ago
- [3]New Zealand reach Women’s Rugby League World Cup final as Waaka hat-trick sinks SamoaThe Guardian, 4h ago
- [4]FIFA issues split rulings on Argentina World Cup final appealDaily Observer, 5h ago
- [5]Argentina handed minor reprieve in World Cup final scuffle issue; Molina’s punishment reducedSportstar, 6h ago
- [6]Lammens makes World Cup debut but Belgium go outManchester United, 14h ago
- [7]Live: Ponga leads Kiwis to World Cup final as sudden wind change cruels TongaABC News Australia, 7h ago
- [8]Rugby League World Cup 2026: Kalyn Ponga-inspired New Zealand power past Tonga to reach finalBBC, 1h ago
- [9]Kalyn Ponga stuns with ‘incredible’ act as New Zealand book spot in Rugby League World Cup final7NEWS, 1h ago
- [10]World Cup Late Mail: Men's Semi-Finals - Walker joins benchNRL.com, 3h ago
- [11]Kiwis v Tonga: All you need to know about the Rugby League World Cup semifinalStuff, 21h ago
- [12]Ponga sends Kiwis into World Cup final after miraculous injury comebackNine.com.au, 1h ago
Background
- [13]UCD Defeat Bray Wanderers to Reach Premier Division Playoff Final FTMQ News, 5d ago
- [14]UN biodiversity summit faces funding tensions on final day in Armenia FTMQ News, 7d ago
Our newsroom writes these reports with the help of software, from the 14 sources listed and nothing else, and checks them against those sources. Facts can still be wrong or move on; the originals are the record. Spotted a mistake? Write to daniel@monsterkong.com.
Related from FTMQ News
Earlier reports of ours on the same people and subjects.
- England defeat France 82 to zero in Rugby League World CupTop Stories, 14d ago
- UCD Defeat Bray Wanderers to Reach Premier Division Playoff FinalKillarney Ireland, 5d ago
- England name unchanged squad for France match after Tonga defeatTop Stories, 18d ago
- Australia beat New Zealand in Rugby League World Cup openerTop Stories, 23d ago
- New Zealand defeat Australia to retain the Bledisloe CupTop Stories, 28d ago
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