‘It pumps me up as well’: Moses Leota embraces Tongan XIII Red Sea

The Tongan Red Sea brings an incomparable atmosphere, with Kiwi’s forward Moses Leota acknowledging the impact of the crowd ahead of their semi-final clash with Tonga on Saturday.

The 31-year-old Penrith veteran knows just how much the mass of passionate supporters wearing red and white can influence a player’s on-field experience.

“I’ve played against Tonga before and the Red Sea that comes out and supports them, and they’re really vocal.

“It’s good to see them come out and it excites me, because it pumps me up as well.”

With McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle the stage for the first semi, Leota is bracing for the physicality the clash will bring.

“They [Tonga] have a big team, they’re physical and they’ve got a big pack. So we have to be ready this weekend and we’ll be up for it.

“We’re confident that we can do a job. Obviously prepare well and train well, do everything we need to do and the game will take care of itself.”

The Kiwis have built nicely following their narrow 24-22 loss to the Australian Kangaroos in round one, then dominating the Cook Islands 82-16 before delivering a mammoth 78-0 performance against the Fijian Bati.

But standing in their way is what Tongan fans are anticipating will be another memorable match for the proud nation of over 100,000.

Tongan talent Robert Toia says they have high expectations.

The 23-year-old sensation has told NRL Media that lessons have been learnt from their defeat to the Kiwis during their horror 2025 campaign.

“I feel like this year, the boys are really switched on in our preparation and how we train, where last year I feel like we - because we knew we had a good team last year - we kind of just used the team list to our advantage and we just kind of relaxed a bit.

“The belief within the group’s so high, so we feel like we can win the competition.”

Tonga last defeated the Kiwis with a 25-24 performance in the 2024 Pacific Championships, but Toia says a World Cup title would be the ultimate achievement for a Tier 2 nation.

“For it to be the last thing to tick off this year as well, that would be so much special.”

Kick-off: 10.05pm (NZT)

Team lists:

Tonga: Lehi Hopoate, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Tolutau Koula, Robert To'ia, Jojo Fifita, Tuimoala Lolohea, Isaiyah Katoa, Addin Fonua-Blake, Salesi Foketi, Jason Taumalolo, Haumole Olakau'atu, Siua Wong, Tyson Frizell. Interchange: Soni Luke, Stefano Utoikamanu, Demitric Vaimauga, Taniela Paseka, Leka Halasima, Latu Fainu.

New Zealand: Keano Kini, Jamayne Isaako, Dane Gagai, Casey McLean, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Kodi Nikorima, Jahrome Hughes, James Fisher-Harris, Jeremy Marshall-King, Moses Leota, Isaiah Papali'i, Briton Nikora, Joseph Tapine. Interchange: Te Maire Martin, Nafahu Whyte, Erin Clark, Xavier Willison, Scott Sorensen, Leo Thompson.