Isaiya Katoa owns Tonga’s second-half failure as Kiwis march into World Cup final

Tonga’s Isaiya Katoa did not hide from the hard truth after the Kiwis ended Tonga’s Rugby League World Cup campaign.

Katoa admitted his second-half control was not good enough as New Zealand took full advantage of the brutal conditions at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, NSW, late on Saturday night (NZ time).

Katoa, one of Tonga’s key playmakers, was left to reflect on a match that turned sharply after half-time with the wind helping New Zealand as the Kiwis pulled away to book their place in the final in Brisbane next weekend.

“No excuses, though. You've got to take your hats off to the Kiwis boys.”

Katoa said the lesson was clear.

“The way they [Kiwis] played their footy tonight is the way you play in these types of conditions, and it's a lesson that I'll take and I'll gulp that on the chest there.”

Katoa's biggest regret was his own role in Tonga’s second-half struggles. “Just the way I controlled that second half was just not good enough and not up to international footy standard.”

It was a tough admission from a player who has been central to Tonga’s rise through the tournament. But it also summed up the difference between the two sides when the conditions became increasingly difficult.

The wind that had made the first half a grind became a major factor after the break, and New Zealand were better equipped to play the game in front of them.

James Fisher-Harris and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak perform the hongi post-match after the Kiwis booked their place in the Rugby League World Cup final in Newcastle. Photo/Photosport/David Neilson

Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris said the conditions were difficult but he was happy to see his side make the most of the change. “That wind just came out of nowhere,” he told the post-match interview on Seven.

The Kiwis now have a World Cup final to prepare for, with defending champions Australia and Toa Sāmoa set to decide the other finalist in Sydney on Sunday 8 November.

Fisher-Harris says reaching the decider was the reward for a long road. “Yeah, pretty surreal, but we've worked our backsides off to get here.

“It hasn't been an easy road but we're just not going to take it for granted, bro, and just celebrate this win, but then we'll get to go next week.”

The night also had plenty of meaning beyond the result. Kiwi and Tongan supporters turning Newcastle into a sea of Pacific colour and noise.

Fisher-Harris gave both sets of fans credit after the match. "A big shout-out to all our Kiwi fans, all the Tongan fans, Kiwi and Tonga....to the Red Sea and all our Kiwis far and wide.”

Jahrome Hughes makes a break against Tonga. Photo/Photosport/David Neilson

For Tonga, the support has been one of the biggest stories of the tournament and Katoa made sure the fans heard directly from him after the defeat.

“I don't think these fans understand how much the support means to us. The Tongan community, and that's everywhere around the world, not just here in Sydney and in Australia and New Zealand, but all the way across the world in America.

“We can't do what we do on the field if it isn't for your guys' support.”

And his final message was for every Tongan who had followed the team. “Every time we get to put on this jersey, we do it for you guys, and it just means the most to us whenever we get to represent Tonga.”

For Tonga, the World Cup is over. For New Zealand, the biggest game is still ahead.

And Katoa knows exactly what his side can learn from the way the Kiwis handled the night.

Earlier in Newcastle, the Kiwi Ferns also booked their place in the women's World Cup final with a commanding 32-0 semi-final win over Fetu Sāmoa.

Stacey Waaka scored a hat-trick while captain Raecene McGregor controlled the game with a superb kicking display, setting up two of Waaka’s tries.

Sāmoa stayed in the contest for long periods but could not turn possession and pressure into points while the Kiwi Ferns grew into the game after leading 8-0 at half-time.

Mele Hufanga was influential as New Zealand pulled away after the break, with Kaiya Atai and Annessa Biddle also playing key roles.

The Kiwi Ferns will face either defending champions Australia or Fiji Bulikula in the 15 November final.