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Kiwis v Tonga XIII: Thompson back from ban; Wong joins bench
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Kiwis v Tonga XIII: Thompson back from ban; Wong joins bench

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pan66.com
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The Kiwis and Tonga lay it all on the line in Auckland on Saturday with the winner to meet Australia in the Cup final and the loser facing the prospect of relegation.

Both sides pushed the Kangaroos to the limit in their pool games and will fancy their chances in the decider on November 10 - but they have to get there first.

In seven meetings between the two nations it's the Kiwis holding a 6-1 advantage, with Tonga's lone success coming at the 2017 World Cup when they prevailed 28-22 in Hamilton.

The last time they clashed was in 2022 in Auckland, with Jahrome Hughes steering the Kiwis to a 22-6 victory.

Only five members of the Kiwi side remain from that victory, including forward leaders James Fisher-Harris and Joseph Tapine, who were immense against the Kangaroos on Sunday and must stand tall again if Stacey Jones is to savour his first win as head coach.

Tonga's strength lies in its monster pack led by Addin Fonua-Blake, Jason Taumalolo and Haumole Olakau'atu, and the battle in the middle of the park will go a long way to determining the winner in Auckland.

The victor marches on to the decider and a shot at taking down the Kangaroos, while the loser faces the Pacific Bowl winner on November 10 in a promotion-relegation play-off for a place in next year's Pacific Cup.

Match: Kiwis v Tonga XIII

Week 3 -

Kiwis

home Team

Kiwis

2nd Position

Tonga XIII

away Team

Tonga XIII

3rd Position

Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland 

Match broadcasters:

  • WatchNRL
Team Lists Get Tickets

Team News

Kiwis: Coach Stacey Jones sticks with the same starting 13, with the only change coming on the bench where Newcastle's Leo Thompson from a suspension he incurred in week one of the NRL finals. Last week's debutant Jordan Riki is the man to make way. Erin Clark is again listed as 18th man.

Tonga: Just the one change for Tonga with Roosters youngster Siua Wong added to the bench in place of Keaon Koloamatangi, who has left the squad to be with his partner, who is due to give birth. Wong will make his second Test appearance for Tonga after debuting last year against England in Leeds. The rest of Kristian Woolf's squad remains the same after a first-up loss to the Kangaroos in Brisbane, with Tolu Koula listed as 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Kiwis is number 1 Keano Kini
    Fullback for Tonga XIII is number 1 Lehi Hopoate
  • Winger for Kiwis is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
    Winger for Tonga XIII is number 2 Daniel Tupou
  • Centre for Kiwis is number 3 Matthew Timoko
    Centre for Tonga XIII is number 3 Mosese Suli
  • Centre for Kiwis is number 4 Peta Hiku
    Centre for Tonga XIII is number 4 Paul Alamoti
  • Winger for Kiwis is number 5 Will Warbrick
    Winger for Tonga XIII is number 5 Sione Katoa
  • Five-Eighth for Kiwis is number 6 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
    Five-Eighth for Tonga XIII is number 6 Tuimoala Lolohea
  • Halfback for Kiwis is number 7 Shaun Johnson
    Halfback for Tonga XIII is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Forwards

  • Prop for Kiwis is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
    Prop for Tonga XIII is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
  • Hooker for Kiwis is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
    Hooker for Tonga XIII is number 9 Siliva Havili
  • Prop for Kiwis is number 10 Joseph Tapine
    Prop for Tonga XIII is number 10 Felise Kaufusi
  • 2nd Row for Kiwis is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
    2nd Row for Tonga XIII is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
  • 2nd Row for Kiwis is number 12 Scott Sorensen
    2nd Row for Tonga XIII is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
  • Lock for Kiwis is number 13 Naufahu Whyte
    Lock for Tonga XIII is number 13 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange

  • Interchange for Kiwis is number 14 Kodi Nikorima
    Interchange for Tonga XIII is number 14 Soni Luke
  • Interchange for Kiwis is number 15 Griffin Neame
    Interchange for Tonga XIII is number 15 Sitili Tupouniua
  • Interchange for Kiwis is number 16 Marata Niukore
    Interchange for Tonga XIII is number 16 Taniela Paseka
  • Interchange for Kiwis is number 17 Leo Thompson
    Interchange for Tonga XIII is number 17 Siua Wong

Reserves

  • Replacement for Kiwis is number 18 Erin Clark
    Replacement for Tonga XIII is number 18 Tolutau Koula
  • Reserve for Kiwis is number 19 Jordan Riki
    Reserve for Tonga XIII is number 19 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 
  • Reserve for Kiwis is number 20 Casey McLean
    Reserve for Tonga XIII is number 20 Isaiah Iongi
  • Reserve for Kiwis is number 21 Trent Toelau
    Reserve for Tonga XIII is number 21 Keaon  Koloamatangi 

Kiwis Ins

  • Casey McLean
  • Leo Thompson
  • Trent Toelau

Tonga XIII Ins

  • Isaiah Iongi
  • Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
  • Siua Wong

Kiwis Outs

Tonga XIII Ins

Match Officials

  • Referee: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Kiwis have won all four Tests against Tonga played in Auckland.
  • Tonga have scored only eight points in their past three Test matches.
  • Kiwi winger Jamayne Isaako has scored five tries in his past four Tests.
  • Daniel Tupou and Siliva Havili will reach the milestone of 20 Tests for Tonga.
  • The Kiwis have won their last six Tests at Mt Smart Stadium.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.