Tonga down NZ in one-point thriller to reach Pacific Cup final

Tonga defeated New Zealand 25-24 in a dramatic encounter on Saturday night in Auckland, booking a spot in the Pacific Cup final next weekend and consigning the Kiwis to a relegation match.

Rugby league bookmakers had Tonga as moderate underdogs heading into the clash, but the visitors got off to a lightning quick start.

Sione Katoa opened the scoring in just the second minute before captain Addin Fonua-Blake added another in the 22nd.

Two more four-pointers came through Siliva Havili and Soni Luke in the 26th and 32nd minutes, leaving the Kiwis reeling as the visitors raced out to a 24-0 lead.

Isaiah Papali’i scored late in the first half to get New Zealand on the board, and the tide turned from there.

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The Kiwis ran in 18 unanswered points after the break to level the match at 24-24 with 13 minutes left on the clock, with Keano Kini, Phoenix Crossland and Joseph Tapine all dotting down.

The home team had all the momentum heading into the final 10 minutes, with repeat sets and several close calls inside the Tongan 20-metre line.

However, a strong Tonga set took the visitors up the field against the run of play before Isaiya Katoa slotted a field goal to give his side a one-point lead.

Several more close calls came in the dying minutes of the match, including a captain’s challenge in the 79th minute for contact with Shaun Johnson’s legs after a kick.

After the challenge was unsuccessful, Tonga held on for a famous victory and will now play the Kangaroos on November 10 in the Pacific Cup final.

“This is unforgettable,” Fonua-Blake said after the match.

“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.”

New Zealand will go on to play in the Pacific Championship relegation match, against the winner of the Pacific Bowl.

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