Kiwis Dominate Tonga to Book Spot in Pacific Cup Final
What a night it was in Auckland, as the New Zealand Kiwis stormed past Tonga XIII with an emphatic 40–14 victory to secure their place in the Pacific Cup Final. Eden Park was buzzing with energy, the stands painted in black and red, as two powerhouse nations clashed in this much-anticipated Pacific Championships showdown.
Right from kickoff, it was clear that New Zealand meant business. Their attack was sharp, their defense relentless, and their combinations worked like clockwork. Phoenix Crossland played a crucial role, constantly setting the tempo and helping the Kiwis add points in quick succession. The Kiwis didn’t just settle for dominance—they wanted complete control. Each play, each run, seemed to build towards another statement of intent.
The match wasn’t without drama, though. Dylan Brown, who’s soon heading to Newcastle, scored a brilliant try but paid for it with a shoulder injury after a collision with Sione Katoa. For a few tense moments, fans held their breath as Brown lay on the turf. Fortunately, he got back to his feet and continued playing, showing real toughness.
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Eli Katoa, however, wasn’t as lucky. After struggling earlier in the half, he was eventually taken off the field on a medicab—a worrying sight for the Tongan camp. Despite the setback, Tonga refused to give up. The crowd roared every time their team pushed forward, and Daniel Tupou gave them something to cheer about with a beautiful finish in the corner, cutting through New Zealand’s defense to add some much-needed points.
But the Kiwis just kept finding answers. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad powered over three defenders to extend the lead, a moment that summed up the night—New Zealand simply had too much strike power. Even when Jamayne Isaako missed conversions, it didn’t seem to matter. The Kiwis’ momentum couldn’t be stopped.
The physical intensity was sky-high. One of the biggest hits came when Keano Kini got flattened by Tonga’s Demitric Vaimauga in a bone-rattling collision that sent shockwaves through the stadium. Yet, Kini bounced back up, showing the resilience that defined the Kiwi side all evening.
When the final siren sounded, the scoreboard read 40–14, and the Kiwis had officially booked their ticket to next week’s Pacific Cup Final at CommBank Stadium, where they’ll face a fiery Samoan team. Tonga, though defeated, walked away with pride—their passion and physicality never faltered, and their fans made sure every play was met with thunderous applause.
In the end, it was a statement win from New Zealand—a performance that blended skill, strength, and sheer determination. As they prepare for the final, one thing’s for sure: the Kiwis are flying high and look ready to take on anyone in their path.
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