New Zealand's Rugby League World Cup campaign seemed to hang by a thread when star full-back Kalyn Ponga suffered a broken forearm in the tournament opener against Australia. But in a stunning turnaround, Ponga made a remarkable recovery and delivered a match-winning performance to help the Kiwis reach their first final in 13 years.
A gamble that paid off
Ponga, who had surgery just 23 days earlier, was initially named as a reserve but was thrust into the starting lineup after proving his fitness. Playing with protective bandaging on his left arm, he was involved in four of New Zealand's six tries as they overpowered Tonga 34-10 in the semi-final at Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium.
"He's a tough character and he was so adamant he was playing," said head coach Stacey Jones. "Where sports science is these days - I saw what he had in his arm, the rod or plate was covering his whole arm. We didn't know until after our second-to-last training that he was going to be all right - he ticked all the boxes. Just a tough person."
Freak of nature
Ponga's performance drew praise from captain James Fisher-Harris, who described him as a "freak of nature". "The defensive mindset he had tonight, he saved a couple of tries. That's what I love about KP. His leadership skills are underrated. He's really good for us, our spine especially."
But while Ponga stole the headlines, it was a complete team effort. Jamayne Isaako kicked five from six conversions in difficult conditions, and the Kiwis' relentless pressure told in the second half as they pulled away from a determined Tonga side.
Tonga's disappointment
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf refused to blame the atrocious weather for his side's defeat, instead ruing poor decision-making. "It was a disappointing way to finish. Whoever was against the wind in the second half was going to find it tough and we just had to handle it better," he said. "It's a bit of a missed opportunity with what the group's been able to do, how talented the group is, some of the footy we've played, but we just couldn't get it done tonight."
Double delight?
New Zealand's women's team also reached the final with a 32-0 win over Samoa, setting up the possibility of a historic double triumph. The last time both teams reached the finals on Australian soil was 2008, when both lifted the trophy. The men will face either Australia or Samoa in next Sunday's final, while the women await the winner of the other semi-final between Australia and Fiji.
"We're just trying to chase history," said Fisher-Harris. "We've only done it once but we've been building with this squad, this generation, for the past six or seven years."
