New Zealand vs Tonga Preview & Prediction | 2024 Rugby League Pacific Cup
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This crunch match in the Pacific Cup sees New Zealand take on Tonga for a place in the final against Australia at stake
START DATE/TIME: Saturday 2nd November, 2024, UK – 7:05am / US ET – 3:05am / US PT – 00:05am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK - This match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Mix / AUS - This match will be broadcast live on Watch NRL
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK - This match will be streamed on SkyGo / AUS - This match will be streamed on Watch NRL
NEW ZEALAND: LEO THOMPSON BACK FROM SUSPENSION IN SOLITARY CHANGE FOR KIWIS
New Zealand have kept changes to a minimum for this crunch clash with Tonga that will see the losing side drop to the promotion/relegation series and the winner meet Australia in the Pacific Cup final. Leo Thompson is back from suspension to hand them a big boost to their bench and it is forward Jordan Riki who drops out for him.
SQUAD:
1. Keano Kini
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Matt Timoko
4. Peta Hiku
5. Will Warbrick
6. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
7. Shaun Johnson
8. James Fisher-Harris
9. Phoenix Crossland
10. Joe Tapine
11. Isaiah Papali'i
12. Scott Sorensen
13. Naufahu Whyte
Interchange
14. Kodi Nikorima
15. Griffin Neame
16. Marata Niukore
17. Leo Thompson
Reserves
18. Erin Clark
19. Jordan Riki
20. Casey McLean
21. Trent Toelau
TONGA: ONE CHANGE FOR THE VISITORS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR THE UPSET
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf is forced to make one change as Keaon Koloamatangi misses this crunch match due to the birth of his child so that hands an opportunity to Siua Wong to come into the interchange list. Otherwise, they are unchanged from the side that lost to Australia but they will have benefitted from having last weekend free to recover and prepare for this match.
SQUAD:
1. Lehi Hopoate
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Moses Suli
4. Paul Alamoti
5. Sione Katoa
6. Tuimoala Lolohea
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Siliva Havili
10. Felise Kaufusi
11. Haumole Olakau’atu
12. Eli Katoa
13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
14. Soni Luke
15. Sitili Tupouniua
16. Taniela Paseka
17. Siua Wong
Reserves
18. Tolutau Koula
19. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
20. Isaiah Iongi
21. Keaon Koloamatangi
NEW ZEALAND VS TONGA PREDICTION
There is plenty on the line on Saturday as New Zealand face Tonga with a place in the final on the line for the winner. New Zealand will be desperate to win to put themselves in with a shot of reaching the final as they bid to retain their title.
They must beat Tonga here which will be no easy feat, although they have won their last two meetings against them. Tonga struggled to create openings in their match against Australia which they lost 18-0 but they had enough of the ball.
The Kiwis on the other hand did manage to get on the scoreboard going down 22-10 so they will see those results and fancy their chances.
It is the Kiwis who have the greater quality in their ranks and it is a match they should be winning. Tonga have had more recovery and preparation time so that should benefit them but we expect New Zealand to have just enough to get the win and cover the handicap too.
NEW ZEALAND VS TONGA TIP: NEW ZEALAND TO WIN -5.5 POINTS
