Tonga won the epic pre-game standoff with a defiant stare down for the ages, but New Zealand won on the scoreboard and booked their spot in the World Cup final after handling the wild conditions in Newcastle.
The Kiwis are through to the decider where they’ll face either Australia or Samoa after Knights heroes Kalyn Ponga and Phoenix Crossland returned to lead them to a 34-10 victory.
A raucous crowd of 29,712 braved appalling conditions as the teams produced one of the most iconic moments of the year before a ball was kicked.
MATCH CENTRE: New Zealand Kiwis vs Tonga live scores, teams, videos
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After New Zealand finished their Haka, Tongan players stood in a line and refused to move as both sets of players stared each other down for 65 seconds.
It was unrivalled intensity between the two fierce rivals, with the tension finally broken by the Kiwis and skipper James Fisher-Harris who looked like the Undertaker with his eyes rolled back.
Hughes dances through the Tonga line | 00:33
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Ponga broke his left arm less than four weeks ago in the tournament opener but now looms as the most dangerous player in next week’s final.
After leading Newcastle on a fairy tale run to the NRL decider, Ponga was brilliant for the Kiwis with three try assists and a number of extraordinary try-saving tackles at the back.
He got the ball rolling with a short pass for Briton Nikora to score the opener and then produced a similar moment of magic to set up Xavier Willison for the sealer.
The flashy fullback was a ball of energy on either side of the field, with his tackle on Demitric Vaimauga a sign that his arm is just fine even though Ponga copped a couple of stinging shots from the Tongan forwards.
“That is courage. He’s done it all season, but that was probably his biggest task so far,” Trent Robinson said, while Andrew Voss added: “As brave as you’ll ever see. That is incredible”.
He wasn’t the only big inclusion with Crossland playing his first game since he was sent off and banned for four matches after an ugly hip-drop on Nathan Cleary in the preliminary final that resulted in a sickening leg injury.
Crossland is the perfect bench option for the Kiwis and will do all the hard stuff next week.
WHYTE FRIGHT
The Kiwis do have a major concern next week with Naufahu Whyte failing to finish the game with an ankle injury.
The Roosters star has been the best prop forward in the world this year and would be a huge loss if he’s unable to play.
Elsewhere, James Fisher-Harris was placed on report for lifting his knee during a hit-up and he could be facing a potential ban.
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Kalyn gets HAMMERED by Foketi | 00:19
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Although The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio was almost certain he’d be free to take the field in the grand final.
“I’ve seen throughout this World Cup it’s very much leaning (towards) a more lenient approach than what we’re seeing in the NRL season itself,” he said.
“I think it’s a real focus on trying to keep the best players on the park during this World Cup tournament. “Yes, he’s got a little bit of something to answer to, but I don’t think it is a match suspension.”
Fellow forward Xavier Willison also passed a head injury assessment in the second half, and New Zealand will get fiery winger Ronaldo Mulitalo back from suspension.
THE WINDY CITY
Move over Chicago because Newcastle has taken your mantle for one night only.
A sparkling Saturday afternoon copped a super southerly in the evening which wreaked havoc in the second half.
Ponchos and hats went flying at the break as the rain came in sideways.
The kick-off caused all sorts of problems for Kodi Nikorima who couldn’t keep it in, but teammate Jamayne Isaako had no such issues with a stunning conversion that curled in gloriously with the wind.
Kiwis perform inspiring Haka | 00:34
The conditions continued to torment Tonga who couldn’t contend with a Jahrome Hughes bomb, with the crafty halfback punishing them a few plays later with a superb solo try.
TOIA STORY
Tonga desperately missed premiership star Robert Toia who was ruled out of the semi-final with a knee injury.
Toia has been in slashing form with the ball but is also a rock in defence, with Kiwis centre Casey McLean making them pay with a try and two big breaks down the left edge.
The big red machine had some incredible moments with Jojo Fifita and Tolu Koula combining for a length-of-the-field kick return that had the Tongan flags flying around the world.
But their kicking game crumbled in the conditions with a number going dead or backwards, while Lehi Hopoate made five of their 14 errors.
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