Overview
- New Zealand coach Stacey Jones named Kalyn Ponga and Phoenix Crossland on the Kiwis’ extended bench for the semi against Tonga, with Ponga pencilled to return just 22 days after breaking his forearm.
- Ponga played more than 20 minutes with the broken arm in the tournament opener before having surgery, and his availability now depends on passing team fitness checks this week.
- Phoenix Crossland completed a four‑match suspension for a hip‑drop tackle that broke Nathan Cleary’s ankle and has been made available as a late hooker option for New Zealand.
- Australia finalised selection by keeping Reece Walsh at fullback ahead of James Tedesco for Sunday’s semi with Samoa at Allianz Stadium, a pick driven by Walsh’s recent form and fitness.
- The compressed knockout schedule raises the stakes of late medical and disciplinary rulings because any clearance or withdrawal will directly reshape tactics and player roles for semis in Newcastle and Sydney.