Rugby league-Ponga returns to help New Zealand beat Tonga and reach World Cup final
The Star Malaysia ·
SYDNEY, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Fullback Kalyn Ponga returned three weeks after breaking his arm to help New Zealand beat Tonga 34-10 in Newcastle on Saturday and secure a spot in the Rugby League World Cup final for the fifth time. The Kiwis, world champions in 2008, will head to Brisbane next Sunday to take on the winners of Sunday's second semi-final between reigning champions Australia and Samoa in Sydney. After an intense and tight first half, New Zealand opened up a 24-10 lead with tries from Casey McLean and Jahrome Hughes in five minutes shortly after the resumption. Forward Xavier Willison came off the interchange to score New Zealand's fifth try 11 minutes from time and winger Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad put a gloss on the scoreline just before the final hooter. Tonga, losing semi-finalists in 2017, had given as good as they got before halftime but were forced to try to fight their way back into the game in the face of a strong wind and heavy rain that swept over the ground during the break. "I was always determined to come back," said Ponga, who fractured his left forearm in the tournament opener against Australia.