Overview
- New Zealand surged with a 24-point burst in 19 minutes to lead 26-0 at halftime after a near-flawless opening stanza.
- Keano Kini opened with a long-range try, Dylan Brown scored twice and set up another, and Casey McLean crossed twice in the first-half onslaught.
- Matt Timoko, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Phoenix Crossland added second-half tries, with Erin Clark sin-binned on the stroke of halftime before Tonga’s first points.
- Eliesa Katoa appeared dazed after an accidental pre-match head contact with teammate Lehi Hopoate, later left for treatment for a facial cut, returned, then was benched bleeding as on-air commentators questioned whether an HIA occurred.
- Tonga, who needed an 18-point win after last week’s loss to Samoa, were eliminated, and New Zealand will meet Samoa in next Sunday’s decider at CommBank Stadium.