A Kalyn Ponga masterclass has helped New Zealand reach the Rugby League World Cup final after the fullback inspired the Kiwis to a pulsating 34-10 victory in Newcastle on Saturday night.
Playing just 23 days after breaking his arm in the tournament opener, Ponga was involved in everything as New Zealand booked their spot in the decider next Sunday night.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jojo Fifita scores one of the great World Cup tries
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He had a hand in four of his side’s five tries, while also producing an incredible try-saving tackle among a host of inspiring efforts.
But the victory could come at a cost with captain James Fisher-Harris placed on report for raising his knee in a tackle, while Naufahu Whyte suffered an ankle injury.
It will be New Zealand’s first appearance in the final since they lost to Australia 2013. They will now await the winner of the Australia-Samoa clash on Sunday night as they hunt their second title.
Ponga was cleared to start the match and showed no signs of discomfort with a couple of early carries.
And it took just three minutes for the superstar to set up the opening try with a little step and pass to Briton Nikora.
He was floored in a crunching tackle shortly after the opening points, but bounced back to his feet.
Tonga then threatened to score with a period of sustained pressure, which included repeat sets close to goal.
But just as it looked like the Kiwis would score, Jojo Fifita then turned the match on its head with a stunning piece of individual brilliance.
Collecting a Jahrome Hughes kick from just in front of the posts, Fifita went on a mazy 40m run before the ball ended up out wide to Tolutau Koula.
Koula then passed back inside for Fifita to score under the posts.
“One of the great World Cup tries,” Andrew Voss said in commentary.
“A flash of red from one goal line to the other.”
Ponga put his body on the line to deny Demitric Vaimauga with an outrageous try-saving tackle.
“As brave as you’ll ever see. That is incredible,” Voss said.
But from the resulting set, Tonga took the ball from one side to the other for Fifita to score in the corner.
NZ then hit the front through Dane Gagai with Ponga once again involved.
Tonga fullback Lehi Hopoate looked to have a Hughes grubber kick covered but he mishandled the ball while trying to turn in his own goal, and a flying Ponga came in to execute a tackle.
The ball then bounced up for Gagai to score the easiest of tries.
There was a hint of controversy with Ponga’s tackle given Hopoate didn’t have control of the ball, but the bunker gave it the all clear.
The conversion gave the Kiwis a 12-10 lead at half-time.
Both sides spurned big chances early in the second half as the wind suddenly picked up considerably to cause havoc.
Ponga was once again the architect of New Zealand’s next try, delivering the final pass to try-scoring machine Casey McLean, who made it 16 from eight Tests.
As the heavens opened, another Tonga error after a high kick eventually ended up in a try for Hughes, who danced his way through the defence to put the Kiwis up by 14.
Tonga failed to really threaten again as Ponga put the finishing touches on his superb game with yet another assist, this time for Xavier Willison.
“That is outstanding in this weather,” Luke Keary said of Ponga’s pass.
As time ticked down, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad got on the end of rare Erin Clark kick to touch in the corner in the final minute.
The win completes a double for New Zealand after the Kiwi Ferns earlier booked their spot in the decider with a shutout victory over Samoa.