Matty’s On the Five: All Blacks eye fourth Rugby World Cup, Kiwis topple Toa Samoa team and Tonga Rugby League shines

The All Blacks and the Springboks are eyeing a historic fourth Rugby World Cup, as the juggernauts come face to face this weekend. While the Kiwis toppled World Cup finalists Toa Samoa in their first match-up since 2017.

1. All Blacks defeat passionate Argentina to qualify for World Cup final

The All Blacks are heading to the World Cup final after defeating Argentina in the semi-final 44 to 6.

Argentina put up the first points in the game from a penalty goal in the opening minutes. But the All Blacks were quick to march back down the field - with a perfectly placed cut out ball to Will Jordan putting them over for their first try.

Jordan would go on to score twice more throughout the match, tying with Jonah Lomu as the highest try scorer at a Rugby World Cup.

Tongan powerhouse flanker Shannon Frizell also picked up a double in the match, as the All Blacks continued to cruise past the Argentinian defence with ball in hand.

The All Blacks will meet South Africa in the World Cup final on Sunday (NZT) at Stade de France in Paris.

2. Kiwis topple Toa Samoa

The Kiwis’ experience and power proved too much for the World Cup finalists Toa Samoa, thrashing Samoa 50 - 0 at Eden Park. With thousands in attendance for the Pacific Championship triple header, the Kiwis put on a stellar performance.

The opening exchanges saw Toa Samoa battle the Kiwis attack with strong defensive efforts, shutting out a few opportunities to score out wide. Warriors fullback Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad made a key attacking decision which put NRL’s top try scorer Jamayne Isaako over for the first try.

The Kiwis attack continued to dominate Samoa, who found themselves on the back foot for much of the second half. A try-scoring frenzy from the Kiwis came from a majority of the team's Samoan players including Isiah Papali’i, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Jamayne Isaako.

The Kiwis are set to face the Kangaroos in their highly anticipated rematch, in the Pacific Championships final at FMG Stadium in Hamilton.

3. Mate Ma’a Tonga Women’s lead spirited effort against Kiwi Ferns

A ‘sea of red’ threaded itself through Eden Park in support of Tonga’s Women’s and Tonga A sides. Both teams took the field at the Pacific Championship triple-header in Auckland.

The Tonga A side came up short against a star-studded Kiwis A squad in an intense high-scoring match, losing 36 to 26.

While the Tonga Women’s showed heart in their outing against the Kiwi Ferns, going down in an intense match 28 to 10.

Former Tongan Women’s Rugby captain Mele Hufanga stormed the line for the Kiwi Ferns side, with several powerful carries that set-up the Ferns for great tries. And the Tongan side refused to back down with strong defensive efforts riddled throughout the match.

Mate Ma'a Tonga Women's went down to the Kiwi Ferns at the weekend. Photo/ Supplied

4. Mate Ma’a Tonga inches away from England win

A knock-on in the last minute broke the hearts of Tongan fans across the world, as they came inches away from beating England in England - losing 22 to 18.

An intense back and forth took place between the two sides, as they went try-for-try in the first half. The scores were locked at 12 a piece going into the back end of the match, but a silky English attack broke the tie 16 to 12.

A needless knock-on on Tonga’s right edge saw the English captain George Williams cruise to a try, putting them ahead by ten. But, a spirited effort in the last five minutes saw Manly dynamite back Tolu Koula score in the corner to put Tonga inches within four points.

Tonga’s ball handling came back to shoot the team in the foot, as a scoring opportunity crumbled in the last minute. Both teams will go again next week in Huddersfield for their second match of their tri-series.

5. Silver Ferns finish year on a high

The Silver Ferns have finished their year on a high, with their second consecutive win against the World Champions Australia, in their four-test series. The Ferns won 53 - 50 in an exhilarating comeback win against the Diamonds.

New Zealand goal shoot Grace Nweke starred for the team, scoring 43 goals while only missing two. It was Nweke’s first match back in black after missing the World Cup due to injury.

Despite the spirited two wins from the Silver Ferns, Australia walked away with the silverware due to a points differential.