NZ v Tonga: Kiwis favourites after Pacific Cup teams named
New Zealand are favourites to defeat Tonga in a must-win Pacific Cup clash in Auckland on Saturday, with both nations naming their teams on Tuesday.
Rugby league bookmakers have the Kiwis at $1.52 to win and advance to the final against Australia on November 10, while Tonga are $2.55 underdogs.
The home side holds a 6-1 advantage over Tonga in the head-to-head ledger, having won all four matches played in Auckland — including a 26-6 result in their most recent encounter in 2022 at Mt Smart Stadium.
Both sides are winless so far in the Pacific Cup, with Tonga losing 18-0 to Australia in the opening week of the tournament and New Zealand falling 22-10 to the Kangaroos last weekend.
The Kiwis have made just one change after the defeat in Christchurch, with Leo Thompson returning from suspension in place of Jordan Riki on the bench.
Tonga have also made a single change since their loss to the Kangaroos on October 18. Keaon Koloamatangi leaves the squad due to the birth of his child, with Siua Wong coming in.
NZ v Tonga Pacific Cup teams
New Zealand
- Keano Kini
- Jamayne Isaako
- Matthew Timoko
- Peta Hiku
- William Warbrick
- Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
- Shaun Johnson
- James Fisher-Harris
- Phoenix Crossland
- Joseph Tapine
- Isaiah Papali’i
- Scott Sorensen
- Naufahu Whyte
- Kodi Nikorima
- Griffin Neame
- Marata Niukore
- Leo Thompson
- Erin Clark
- Jordan Riki
- Casey McLean
- Trent Toelau
Tonga
- Lehi Hopoate
- Daniel Tupou
- Mosese Suli
- Paul Alamoti
- Sione Katoa
- Tuimoala Lolohea
- Isaiya Katoa
- Addin Fonua-Blake
- Siliva Havili
- Felise Kaufusi
- Haumole Olakau’atu
- Eliesa Katoa
- Jason Taumalolo
- Soni Luke
- Sitili Tupouniua
- Taniela Paseka
- Siua Wong
- Tolutau Koula
- Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
- Isaiah Iongi
- Keaon Koloamatangi
More News
-
Will Young hoping to make impact for NZ in Hamilton Test
-
NZ v England: Crawley survives as visitors name unchanged side
-
NZ, England fined for slow over-rates in Christchurch Test
-
Australia beat New Zealand 28-24 in Dubai Sevens women’s final
-
Latham not worried about NZ’s fielding woes in Christchurch Test
-
NZ v England: Stokes eager to make amends for tough Pakistan tour
-
Lockie Ferguson ruled out of NZ’s ODI series in Sri Lanka
-
Kiwis determined to give Johnson winning send-off against PNG
