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Archive photo · 27 January 2015Kalyn Ponga Returns From Broken Forearm as New Zealand Beat Tonga 34-10 to Reach Final
2 Local Western2 Western Mainstream1 Other1 Western TabloidPhoto: Holdenman05, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped for layout
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Ponga returned 23 days after breaking his left forearm. New Zealand beat Tonga 34-10 in the World Cup semifinal to reach the final.
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Ponga returns, Kiwis win
Kalyn Ponga returned to New Zealand’s starting 13 23 days after breaking his left forearm, and New Zealand beat Tonga 34-10 to reach their first Men’s Rugby League World Cup final for 13 years. Stacey Jones said Ponga was never going to miss the semi-final, adding, "He's a tough character and he was so adamant he was playing." Ponga had sustained a broken left forearm in the World Cup opener against Australia in Sydney on 15 October, and he had played 20 minutes before being forced off as the Kiwis lost 24-22.
New Zealand overpowered Tonga in Newcastle, with Ponga playing with black protective bandaging taped to his left forearm and being directly involved in four of New Zealand's six tries. Jamayne Isaako mastered fierce winds to kick five out of six conversions, taking his tally for the tournament to 36 from 38 attempts.
Weather, defense, and quotes
Kristian Woolf said Tonga’s defeat was not a weather excuse, stating his team "didn't handle the conditions as well as they did". Woolf said the match became tough for Tonga as the wind and rain intensified in the second half, with Tonga toiling in the face of howling wind and rain. James Fisher-Harris praised Ponga’s defensive impact, saying, "The defensive mindset he had tonight, he saved a couple of tries."
Ponga cleared out Lehi Hopoate after he fumbled a grubber kick in Tonga's in-goal area for New Zealand's second try, scored by Dane Gagai. The Kiwis’ relentless pressure produced two tries in five minutes to extend their lead to 14 points and turn the contest into a procession.
Final berth and next opponent
New Zealand’s win sent the Kiwis into the Rugby League World Cup final after their 34-10 semi-final victory over Tonga. New Zealand was playing at the home of Newcastle Knights, and Ponga was described as directly involved in four of New Zealand's six tries. Fisher-Harris said, "We're just trying to chase history," and he added, "We've only done it once but we've been building with this squad, this generation, for the past six or seven years."
The Kiwis booked themselves a chance to play either Australia or Samoa in the final. Naufahu Whyte left the field with an ankle injury in the second half, after New Zealand ran in four answered tries to seal victory.