Pacific Championships 2024 | Kiwis v Tonga XIII | Extended Match Highlights

It's a return to familiar surroundings for Tongan captain Adam Whanua-Blake, who left the New Zealand Warriors at the end of the season. His battle up front with Kiwi skipper James Fisher-Harris should be explosive. And there's another homecoming of sorts with 5'8'' Tuimalolo Lolohea, who played 52 matches for the Warriors between 2014 and 2017. Like his captain, he had a single cap for tonight's opposition before switching his allegiance. And there's one change for the team that lost to the Kangaroos with rooster Suya Wong, who left the squad to join his partner with a baby juice, so we wish them all the very best. Christian Wolfe has been Tonga's coach since 2014, and he's with Courtney Tyree. And there is one change to the 17 that lost to the Kangaroos last week with Leo Thompson starting. The hard-running middle forward returns from a one-match suspension given after week one of the NRL finals. Of the five debutants in Christchurch, arguably the most impressive was rooster Nafahu White, who starts in the 13 jersey today. In a 41-minute performance, he ran 122 metres, made 28 tackles with just a solitary miss. And it's somewhat of a surprise return to Go Media Stadium for centre Peter Hiku. He played 73 matches for the Warriors, spent the 2024 season in Super League, where he held KR side, where runners-up to Wigan in the grand final. Stacey Jones has his second match as head coach of the Kiwis today, and he's with Courtney Tyree. Chris Tonga's side, it has just the one change in it from the team that lost 18-0 to Australia a fortnight ago. Rooster's back row, Siva Wong is in on the interchange. And Kian Kulamatangi, who's about to become a dad if he hasn't already. So congratulations, Kian. Awesome moment for you. There's experience in the backs, Tupou Suli-Lolohia up front. There's power in Kauhusi, Katoa, Ulukawatu, and Taumalolo, and the captain, Aaron Whenua-Blake. The Kiwis starting 13 has a change in it as well. Newcastle Knight Leo Thompson starting at loose forward after finishing a suspension. Nalfahu White gives way, he's back to the bench. Other than that, Asako Warbrick, tri-scorers last week are back again. Sean Johnson plays his 34th test. It's always a joy to be amongst it, yet again, Glen. Especially with so much on the line, trying to get that ticket through to the... Alright, timed out for the sickle towel. Asako gets the game underway, and here it comes, the first hit up. Jason Taumalolo, who set up a famous try for Tui-Lolohia. But New Zealand on the back foot early in this game, for sure. Everything going Tonga's way in these first 90 seconds, two minutes. There's Katoa again. 12 metres out, Haviliatame half. Katoa gives it to Whenua-Blake. Well, that's a fine tackle from Hiku. Cut him down nicely. Katoa again. Big chance for Tonga. 12 metres out. Ruck speed is excellent. Tonga, Whenua-Blake on the fifth tackle. Wanting to get his arms free for Whenua-Blake. This is the last play now for Tonga. Here's Havili. Now Katoa. Lolohia. Trying to present the ball to their second phase. They move out to the edge now. Katoa's present. They go back door. Early ball to Lehiwapuari. And the finish there. Katoa. Very strong indeed. Yeah, brilliant try from Katoa. Lovely finishing. Just a little pause there. Just a confusing wall brick, just enough. And in goes Sione Katoa. His third try for Tonga. Yeah, the Tonga fans absolutely love it. In his seventh Test match. Oh, he's nailed it. Waits that dummy half. Tamalua. Jason Tamalua. Penalty coming for Tonga. Shouldn't have a problem with it. Stat there is very much in Tonga's favour. Almost through is Katoa. He hits it. A big chance here to bust the Kiwis again. Alamote. Oh, good tackle from Leo Thompson. That is a beauty. Tackle of the game right there. I needed that. This team absolutely needed that. Crosland. Trying to smash Kalfusi. It's again going for the offside. Havili. Now Tamalua. What a cracking set this is. Here's Havili. Off excellent right speed. Ola Kuatu. Destructive. Here's Havili again. Now Ola here. Jason Tamalua. That's his ninth carry of the game already. Havili. Adam Fornua-Blake. Oh, yes. That's a touch front of the south there for the Warriors. He knows that black dot. And that's a celebration that he does after all the tries he gets. As if... What was the big deal? What a run from the captain. We've seen he's been immense for his side today. Tamalua's been good through the middle of the park. Beautiful work. Look at that, Glenn. First of all starts here. Katoa breaks from his own end. Now the scrubs in the field. We've mentioned those before. How bad they've been for the Kiwi side. But here it is. Finding out the show. Little step. Too big. Too strong. Wait for it, Glenn. Wait for it. When he stands. Here it is. A magnificent finish from Fornua-Blake. So hard to bring the deck at the best of times. Another try in the game. Three minutes. That dummy half. Some service that time. Katoa. Fornua-Blake. Here's Lola here. The Kiwi's right there. There's Lola here. Two tackles left in this set. Critical New Zealand hold on here. Katoa. Just three starts in his 15 games this year at the Rabbitohs. He only played one game with Hooker. He puts his eyes to ground, which means when he comes into contact, it's a little bit lower than expected. Absolute speed from Sonny Luke. He was a whippet. He was fast. He saw the gap. And he went in untouched. Just having their way with it. It was the big dummy in a dummy half. The speed. He splits the black sea. He runs straight through. And look at the guys jumping on him. This team is up, Glenn. Well, he saw the opportunity, and he grabbed it. Sonny Luke gets his first try in a Tongan jumper. They don't need to challenge it, really. That ball of 24-0 scoreline. Now the Kiwi's. What can they do here? Here's Kini. Kini. That's better. Great run from Keanu Kini. Tonga still have only missed one tackle in the first 35 minutes. That's extraordinary. Ning just getting his heels clipped. Here's Nikore. It's vital for them to get on the scoreboard before halftime. Here's Johnson. Centuries start coming up. Kini. Here's Hiku. Hiku! Has been strong for his side. His carries initially when this half started off. Isaiah Papali'i. Very tough to stop from that position. Four points to six. Sorenson. Well, an exciting first half. Half underway here between Tonga and New Zealand. It's a double whammy across the face there on Kini. Again, the Kiwi's now getting a rare set. Full set inside Tonga's heart. Tapani. Look out there now for a second stint in the game. Right game from him so far. Now here is right. Tapani. Back from Tapani. Inside the tango, the Kiwi's. Broslin. Getting close. Johnson. Backdoor play. Sure Johnson's there. Here to touch and everything. Tapani. Just caught the ball here too much for Moses Suli. The speed that you mentioned, that's what's frightening. That's what you can't coach. And that is what he has plenty of. Hit the ball in his right hand. Just in case he needed to use the fend. Try to come across as well. Make it easier. Exactly what this team needed to come back early points. Vital New Zealand score first in the second half. It's been a pretty rough ten minutes for them. But they're still in this. To 12. Stunning, isn't it? What are you expecting? You're trying to make the best out of that situation. Matty Tomoko. Dabbed by Scott Sorensen. Captain Fisher-Harris back on the field now for New Zealand. Here he is. Johnson. This year at Go Media Stadium Mount Smart. Hands in fact. You saw there Fisher-Harris just gets on. A nice touch goes back door to Sean Johnson. Who made a play defensively on the other side. This man with the footwork does enough with the speed. The man from Super League comes across. He sees a number of men in black. And it's just Hopitato. Hopitato through the hands of Fenix Crosland to score. This is going to look good from every angle, isn't it? Hiku. Brilliant set up. Great support play from Keeney Johnson. Timing of the pass brilliant. And Crosland over to score. A magnificent try. Been a hard worker Crosland. He's deserved that. He points up to the sky. Here's the score. There's Hiku. Nicarima defends. Last play now for New Zealand. Johnson. A bit of try in his career as you just said. International career of Keeney. Here we go. This initial break now as we go down field. Tapani is the man who started it off. Out the back. You see here Hiku keeps the ball alive. He sums it up well. Manages to play the ball. And it's what comes next. What comes after this. Seashore Johnson beats one. A bit of kick pressure. Keeney with the footwork. Keeps it alive. Tapani. Toes it ahead. Bounce of the ball. Shows. Beats one. And he's across the line. Then he goes under the post. Go on. Brilliant work from the big man. That is leadership. Put him on the wing. That was fantastic play from Tapani. Just check this little side step out here. Fantastic. He had some work to do, didn't he? And Tapani. Scores are locked up. Four apiece. Worth mentioning there is no golden point in this game. Interesting to see if they go for a field goal at some stage longer. This might be their only chance. Katoa. He steps up and he kicks a wonderful field goal. Katoa for just the second time in rugby league history. Tonga beat New Zealand. Has been a stunning sporting occasion.