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NZL vs TGA
Pacific Championships
Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, Auckland
New Zealand
vs
Tonga
24
FT
25
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 24 - 25
That wraps up Tribe's coverage, with Tonga getting a famous victory in Auckland! We will back next week with the finals of the Pacific Championships! For now, this is Stanton Bell signing off. As always, thank you for following along - until next time, be safe out there!
The Kiwis had a chance to steal that game after a horrible first half they looked like they were going to get rolled, however fought hard in the second half to get back into the clash and almost steal it from Tonga. It was their first half that let them down, with some poor defence costing them as they let the Tongans march up the middle of the paddock and find plenty of metres. They were also horrible on attack, with handling errors really costing them! However, they rolled up their sleeves in the second half to score three tries - an outstanding one to Joe Tapine. However, New Zealand couldn't seal the deal as Tonga got the win - the Kiwis will now face either Fiji or Papua New Guinea in a promotion/relegation match next weekend.
WHAT A GAME OF FOOTY! Tonga get the win by one point in what was a thrilling game of footy, with both sides having the chance to win but it is Tonga that steal it in Auckland. The men in red and white came out of the blocks firing in the first half barging out to a strong lead and looking like they would run away big time over the Kiwis. Their forwards were outstanding in the first half, with Fonua-Blake and Taumalolo leading the charge, while Paseka, Tupouniua and Olakau'atu all adding metres. Isaiya Katoa controlled the game perfectly, while Tui Lolohea chimed in nicely to help out. They will be disappointed with their second half as they let the Kiwis march back into the game with some poor defence! However, Isaiya Katoa controlled the game and iced it with a one pointer! Tonga now head to take on the Australians in the final next weekend.
80'
Fonua-Blake starts the set, with Alamoti next as Tonga sticks with one-out runners winding the clock down. Taumalolo gets back to halfway as the siren sounds! That is all she wrote as Tonga get a famous win - they are off to the final!
80'
IT IS ALL GO HERE AT MT SMART! Johnson was in the pocket, he had to step past the defence before taking a stab at them but it is charged down! Isaako doesn't see the 6 again call so goes for another one but it is away to the right. The Kiwis will challenge it thinking Johnson's legs were taken out but it is UNSUCCESSFUL! Tonga have the 20 metre tap with 38 seconds left!
J. Isaako
Missed Drop Goal
80'
S. Johnson
Missed Drop Goal
80'
79'
Thompson brings it back over halfway, followed by Neame getting to the 40. To the left hand side it goes for Timoko to dance his way forward getting inside the 40. Back to the right it comes for Papali'i to take it 20 metres out. JOHNSON'S IN THE POCKET!
79'
ISAAKO HOOKS IT TO THE LEFT! The Kiwis will get another chance as it is a Tongan 20 metre drop out - Sione Katoa could have taken the catch but let it go dead - silly error!