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New Zealand meet unbeaten Tonga in the first Rugby League World Cup semi-final in Newcastle on Saturday 7 November. Our tip, the head to head and the team news.
New Zealand and Tonga meet in the first men’s semi-final at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday 7 November. Tonga are unbeaten: they beat England 30-12, Lebanon 36-0 and then Samoa 20-18 on Sunday to top the Pools B and C table. New Zealand lost the opener 24-22 to Australia, then beat the Cook Islands 82-16 and Fiji 78-0 to finish second in Pool A.
It is the second game of a Newcastle double-header, after the Kiwi Ferns play Samoa in the women’s semi-final at 5:45pm AEDT (our Kiwi Ferns vs Samoa tips).
Below are our tip and the angle we like, the head to head, the team news and what is at stake. Every match is on our Rugby League World Cup hub.
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Match Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Competition | Rugby League World Cup, men’s semi-final 1 |
| Date | Saturday 7 November 2026 |
| Kick-off | 8:05pm AEDT (7:05pm AEST, 5:05pm AWST) |
| Venue | McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle |
| Broadcast | Seven and 7plus, free-to-air |
| Coaches | Stacey Jones (New Zealand), Kristian Woolf (Tonga) |
| Winner plays | Australia or Samoa in the final, Suncorp Stadium, Sunday 15 November, 7:35pm AEDT |
Kiwis vs Tonga Tips & Prediction
Our pick: New Zealand to win. New Zealand have scored 182 points in three games, the most of any side at the tournament, and they beat Tonga 40-14 at Eden Park the last time the sides met, in November 2025. They also gave Australia their closest game, losing 24-22 in the opener.
The angle we like: Tonga at the line. Tonga have conceded 30 points in three games, level with Samoa for the fewest in the men’s tournament, and they beat New Zealand 25-24 in Auckland in 2024. New Zealand are also without winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, who is suspended. If bookmakers give Tonga a start in double figures, Tonga with that start is the bet we will look at first.
The odds. We did not have semi-final prices from our bookmakers when this preview was written on Monday 2 November, so our tip carries no price. Compare the head to head and the line across our best NRL betting sites before you bet, and check the team lists first.
Kiwis vs Tonga Head to Head
New Zealand have won seven of the nine Tests between the sides before this one, but Tonga have won two of the last five, at the 2017 World Cup and in the 2024 Pacific Championships.
| Date | Result | Venue | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2025 | New Zealand 40-14 Tonga | Eden Park, Auckland | Pacific Championships |
| November 2024 | Tonga 25-24 New Zealand | Go Media Stadium, Auckland | Pacific Championships |
| June 2022 | New Zealand 26-6 Tonga | Auckland | Test |
| June 2019 | New Zealand 34-14 Tonga | Auckland | Test |
| November 2017 | Tonga 28-22 New Zealand | New Zealand | World Cup |
Form at this World Cup
New Zealand lost 24-22 to Australia in the opener (result), then beat the Cook Islands 82-16 in Christchurch (result) and Fiji 78-0 on the Gold Coast (result), where Casey McLean scored four tries and Jamayne Isaako kicked 13 goals.
Tonga beat England 30-12 in Perth (result), Lebanon 36-0 at CommBank Stadium (result) and Samoa 20-18 in front of 29,411 at the same ground on Sunday (result). Addin Fonua-Blake scored the winning try with about seven minutes left, and Isaiya Katoa kicked four goals from four.
Kiwis vs Tonga Team News
Semi-final teams are due early in the week, and coaches can make changes up to an hour before kick-off, so check the late mail on the day.
New Zealand: team news
Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo misses the semi-final after taking an early guilty plea for the high tackle that got him sent off against Fiji. Kalyn Ponga, who broke his forearm in the opener and had surgery, is reported to be in line to return; if he plays, Keano Kini, who scored two tries at fullback against Fiji, is likely to move to the bench. James Fisher-Harris captains the side.
Tonga: team news
No new injuries were reported after the Samoa game. Isaiya Katoa, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Robert Toia and Tyson Frizell all came back into the side for that game, and Jason Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake lead the pack.
What Is at Stake
The winner plays in the final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday 15 November at 7:35pm AEDT, against the winner of Australia v Samoa in Sydney on Sunday 8 November (our Australia vs Samoa tips).
New Zealand won the World Cup in 2008 and lost the 2013 final to Australia. Tonga have never reached a World Cup final: their best run was the 2017 semi-final, which they lost 20-18 to England.
Kiwis vs Tonga Betting Markets
- Head to head: the match winner, with golden point extra time if it is level at full time.
- Line: a points start for the underdog, usually the better market when the head-to-head price is short.
- Total points: over or under a set number of combined points.
- Try scorers: first, last and anytime try scorer markets on both squads.
- Same game multi: a result, margin and try scorers in one bet. See our same game multi guide.
Compare prices across our best NRL betting sites, which all price the World Cup.
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
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Kiwis vs Tonga FAQs
When is Kiwis vs Tonga at the Rugby League World Cup?
Saturday 7 November 2026 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, kicking off at 8:05pm AEDT, after the women’s semi-final between the Kiwi Ferns and Samoa at 5:45pm.
What is the Kiwis vs Tonga head to head?
New Zealand have won seven of the nine previous Tests, but Tonga won two of the last five, in 2017 and 2024. New Zealand won the most recent meeting 40-14 in November 2025.
Who will win Kiwis vs Tonga?
Our pick is New Zealand. Tonga’s defence has been the best in the tournament, so Tonga at the line is the market we will look at first.
Is Ronaldo Mulitalo playing in the semi-final?
No. He took an early guilty plea for the high tackle that got him sent off against Fiji and misses the semi-final.
Who does the winner play in the final?
The winner of Australia v Samoa in Sydney on Sunday 8 November. The final is at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday 15 November at 7:35pm AEDT.
Where can I watch Kiwis vs Tonga?
Live and free on Seven and 7plus in Australia.
More Rugby League World Cup Coverage
- Australia vs Samoa semi-final tips
- Kiwi Ferns vs Samoa semi-final tips
- Jillaroos vs Fiji semi-final tips
- Tonga 20-18 Samoa: result
- New Zealand 78-0 Fiji: result
- Results and ladder
- Schedule and TV guide
- Squads
- The final
- Rugby League World Cup hub: schedule, ladder and tips
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