Kiwis Dominate Tonga with 40-14 Victory at Eden Park

The New Zealand Kiwis delivered a commanding performance at Eden Park on March 3, 2024, defeating the Tonga XIII 40-14 in the final round of the Pacific Cup competition. With a crowd of 38,114, predominantly Tongan supporters clad in red and waving flags, the Kiwis avenged their narrow loss to Tonga from the previous year. This victory secures New Zealand a place in the final against Toa Samoa, scheduled for next weekend in Sydney.

The Kiwis opened the match with a flurry of activity, scoring four tries in the first half to establish a substantial 24-2 lead by halftime. Captain James Fisher-Harris showcased leadership and skill, while five-eight Dykan Brown proved instrumental, scoring two tries and consistently challenging the Tongan defense with high kicks. The Tongan side, led by influential players Addin Fonua-Blake and Jason Taumalolo, struggled to contain New Zealand’s momentum.

The match began with both teams exchanging early blows, setting the stage for an action-packed encounter. Tonga started strong, making inroads into the Kiwis’ territory, but it was New Zealand that struck first. In the 18th minute, Casey McLean broke free from within his own 20-meter zone, passing to winger Keano Kini, who scored the Kiwis’ opening try.

New Zealand continued to dominate, with Brown slicing through the defense in the 23rd minute, followed by McLean’s try just five minutes later. Matthew Timoko capped off the first half with another try, further extending the Kiwis’ lead. The Tongan side managed to score their first points shortly before the break, capitalizing on a sin-bin incident involving Kiwi Erin Clark.

Second Half Action

The Kiwis maintained their intensity after halftime, and within four minutes, Isaako added two points following an offside call against Tonga’s Demetric Vaimaunga, pushing the score to 26-2. Although Vaimaunga scored a try in the 49th minute, converting it to bring the score to 26-8, the Kiwis quickly responded by asserting their dominance once again.

As the match progressed, New Zealand’s Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad found the corner for another try, followed by Brown’s second try at the 64th minute. Phoenix Crossland clinched the victory for the Kiwis with a try in the 70th minute. Tonga’s Daniel Tupou managed to score their second try late in the game, but it was not enough to change the outcome.

Throughout the match, the Kiwis demonstrated superior statistics, enjoying 59 percent of possession and completing 75 percent of their sets, while Tonga managed 66 percent. The Kiwis amassed 1,827 meters with the ball compared to Tonga’s 1,027 meters and recorded ten line breaks against Tonga’s three.

Post-match, Taumalolo acknowledged his team’s efforts despite the scoreline. “We were able to score some tries but went into our shell,” he said, expressing gratitude towards fans. Fisher-Harris reciprocated, thanking both fans and the Tongan team for their spirited competition.

This decisive victory not only serves as a morale booster for the Kiwis ahead of the final but also highlights the competitive nature of Pacific rugby, as both teams showcased their skill and resilience at Eden Park.