Kiwis Dominate Tonga with 40-14 Victory at Eden Park

The New Zealand Kiwis secured a commanding victory over Tonga XIII with a score of 40-14 at Eden Park on March 24, 2024. The win marked a significant turnaround for the Kiwis, avenging their narrow loss to Tonga from the previous year. With an impressive crowd of 38,114 fans, many of whom were Tongan supporters proudly displaying their national colors, the atmosphere was electric as the Kiwis dominated the Pacific Cup contest.

New Zealand showcased their strength early in the match, scoring four tries in the first half, which resulted in a lead of 24-2 at halftime. The Kiwis’ captain, James Fisher-Harris, played a pivotal role in the win, leading a well-coordinated team effort against a determined Tongan side. The Kiwis’ attacking strategy, spearheaded by five-eighth Dykan Brown, proved to be a constant challenge for the Tongan defense, especially through high kicks that disrupted their backline.

James Fisher-Harris expressed gratitude towards the fans and his team after the game, saying, “Thank you for all the support.” His counterpart, Tongan forward Jason Taumalolo, also acknowledged the support from their fans, stating, “The scoreline speaks for itself. We were able to score some tries but went into our shell.” Despite the loss, Taumalolo thanked the Tongan supporters, who created a vibrant atmosphere at the stadium.

The Kiwis’ dominance was evident in their performance statistics, with 59 percent possession and a completion rate of 75 percent. In contrast, Tonga managed only 66 percent completion across their sets. The Kiwis recorded a total of 1,827 meters gained on the field, compared to Tonga’s 1,027 meters, and made 10 line breaks against Tonga’s three.

First Half Analysis

Tonga initially showed promise, making early inroads into the Kiwis’ territory. However, the home team struck first in the 18th minute when Casey McLean broke free from inside his own 20 meters and passed to winger Keano Kini, who scored the opening try. Just minutes later, Brown sliced through the Tongan defense, allowing McLean to add another try to the scoreline.

As the first half progressed, centre Matthew Timoko joined the scoreboard with a try in the 36th minute. The Kiwis capitalized on their momentum, with Isaako successfully converting all four of their first-half tries. Tonga managed to score their first points just before halftime when halfback Isaiya Katoa converted a penalty after Kiwi player Erin Clark was sent to the sin bin.

Second Half Developments

The Kiwis maintained their momentum into the second half, extending their lead to 26-2 shortly after the break. Despite a spirited effort from Tonga, including a try from Demetric Vaimaunga in the 49th minute, the Kiwis responded quickly, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad scoring another try soon after.

Brown further solidified his impact on the game by scoring his second try in the 64th minute, followed by a final try from hooker Phoenix Crossland in the 70th minute. Tonga managed to score a consolation try through winger Daniel Tupou, but the Kiwis’ lead remained unassailable, ending the match with a final score of 40-14.

Concerns arose during the second half when Tongan forward Eliesa Katoa was taken off the field due to injury. The match highlighted the competitive spirit of both teams and set the stage for the Kiwis’ upcoming final against Toa Samoa in Sydney next weekend. As the tournament progresses, the Kiwis will look to capitalize on this strong performance as they strive for championship glory.