Kiwis Dominate Tonga with 40-14 Victory at Eden Park

The New Zealand Kiwis delivered a commanding performance against the Tonga XIII, winning 40-14 at Eden Park on March 17, 2024. The match, part of the Pacific Cup competition, drew a crowd of 38,114, predominantly Tongan fans who filled the stands with red and waved flags in support of their team. This victory avenged the Kiwis’ narrow one-point loss to Tonga in the previous year’s tournament.

New Zealand’s victory was marked by an impressive display of skill, scoring seven tries while allowing Tonga to cross their line only twice. The win secures the Kiwis a place in the final against Toa Samoa in Sydney next weekend, adding to the excitement of the tournament.

First Half Dominance

The Kiwis established their dominance early, scoring four tries in the first half to take a commanding 24-2 lead at halftime. Captain James Fisher-Harris played a pivotal role in leading his side, while five-eighth Dylan Brown orchestrated their attacking plays, causing significant challenges for the Tongan defense with his high kicks.

The scoring began in the 18th minute when Casey McLean broke free from his own 20-meter line, setting up winger Keano Kini for the Kiwis’ first try. Just minutes later, Brown sliced through the defense, followed by McLean’s second try five minutes after that. Matthew Timoko added to the score just before halftime, diving over in a contested aerial battle with Tongan fullback Lehi Hopoate.

Tonga managed to score their first points just before the break when Kiwis player Erin Clark was sin-binned, allowing halfback Isaiya Katoa to convert a penalty kick.

The Kiwis enjoyed 59 percent of possession in the first half, completing 15 of their 21 sets, while Tonga completed 13 of their 18 sets.

Second Half Highlights

The Kiwis maintained their momentum in the second half, with Isaako extending their lead to 26-2 shortly after the break. Tonga’s Demetric Vaimaunga briefly reignited hopes for his team by scoring a try in the 49th minute, which Katoa successfully converted.

However, the Kiwis quickly responded with another try, this time from Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, increasing the lead to 30-8. Brown claimed his second try in the 64th minute after a Tongan error near their line, and Phoenix Crossland sealed the win with a try in the 70th minute.

Tonga managed to score a consolation try through Daniel Tupou, who converted successfully, bringing the final score to 40-14 in favor of New Zealand. Throughout the match, the Kiwis showcased superior statistics, recording 1827 meters gained compared to Tonga’s 1027, along with 10 line breaks against Tonga’s three.

Despite the loss, Tongan leaders Addin Fonua-Blake and Jason Taumalolo expressed gratitude to their fans and acknowledged the Kiwis’ performance. Taumalolo noted, “The scoreline speaks for itself. We were able to score some tries but went into our shell.”

Fisher-Harris reciprocated the sentiment, thanking the fans for their support and recognizing the competitive spirit displayed by both teams. The match not only highlighted individual talents but also showcased the passionate support from fans, making it a memorable event in the Pacific Cup.