Tonga topple tough Kiwis as Fetu Sāmoa seal World Cup spot

Mālō e lelei, we’re back for another week of sporting action! There’s so much to unpack so let’s get stuck in.

Tonga XIII win nail-biter in Auckland

A roaring stadium of fans willed the Tongans home, after youngster Isaiya Katoa sealed the win with a late drop goal against the Kiwis. Tonga won the match 25-24.

It was my first time hearing the infamous Red Sea in person, and I think that had a lot to do with the Tongans' victory. Hearing 30,000 fans singing Tongan hymns would have motivated the side to give it their all.

Tonga got out to a firing 24-point start in the first half. Their ferocity and pressure kept the Kiwis at bay, marching down the field in the first set to score in the 2nd minute.

That set the tone for the Tongans, but the Kiwis were valiant to score three of their own in the second half to level the scores. The hosts looked a more composed side in the second half.

Tonga sealed the win in the 75th minute with a drop goal from Katoa. A lapse in discipline almost gifted the Kiwis the win, but Jamayne Isaako missed a crucial penalty goal.

Congratulations to the Tonga XIII, they now face Australia in the Pacific Championships final in Sydney this weekend.

Fetu Sāmoa secure World Cup spot

A late try from Fetu Sāmoa’s Anetta-Claudia Nu’uausala stole the win from the Fiji Bulikula, securing Sāmoa’s spot in the Women’s Rugby League World Cup. Fetu Sāmoa won the match 16-12.

It was a back-and-forth ordeal between the two teams, fighting for their place in the World Cup in England. Fast deliveries and strong carries summed up the intense exchanges between the two teams.

Fetu Sāmoa, in the dying minutes, continued to batter the Fijian defence, and in a last-ditch effort, captain Nu'uausala powered through defenders close to the line to put her side in front.

Sāmoa clinched the victory and in doing so, the Pacific Bowl Championship for 2024. Congratulations to both sides for an amazing tournament.

Toa Sāmoa fail to overcome England

England men’s rugby league side extend their streak over Pacific teams, after beating Toa Sāmoa for the second time 34-16 in Leeds at the weekend.

Valiant in their efforts, Toa Sāmoa battled their way back from conceding the first points through a penalty to score the first try. Some brilliance from Jarome Luai’s kick put Melbourne Storm back rower Shaun Blore over for Sāmoa.

England were quick to strike back, but the tipping point was a yellow card to Junior Pauga for a supposed crusher tackle. England then piled on two tries during Pauga’s omission, and another before half-time.

The Sāmoans struggled in the second half to match the English strong backline as the home side continued to pile on the points. A piece of brilliance from Luai’s kicking game put Sāmoa’s Jeremiah Nanai over the try line before the final whistle.

Despite having many key players out, Sāmoa can hold their heads high for a great campaign in England.

All Blacks steal win from England

Damian McKenzie slotted the winning goal for the All Blacks to steal the win against England 24-22 in front of a sold-out at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

The All Blacks clinched the thriller despite a shaky performance that saw them trailing 22-14 in the final quarter.

Mark Tele'a emerged as the hero with two crucial tries, while Will Jordan also crossed the line for New Zealand.

England's Marcus Smith kept his team in the hunt with his accurate boot, and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's intercept try put the hosts ahead until the All Blacks' late comeback.

The nail-biting finish saw England's George Ford miss both a penalty and drop goal attempt, while a final-minute scrum collapse denied the home team one last chance at victory.

Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline remains on top

Solo Sikoa might have solidified his position as the ‘Tribal Chief’, after pinning Roman Reigns at WWE’s Crown Jewel event.

Since we last heard of this WWE storyline, Roman Reigns had just returned after Wrestlemania. And in the lead-up to Crown Jewel, we’ve seen the return of Jimmy Uso, and we’ve seen his reunion with brother Jey Uso.

All three members of the old Bloodline faced Solo Sikoa and the new Bloodline at Saturday's Crown Jewel. But it was the Sikoa-led team who prevailed in the end.

Now it didn’t come as a clean victory, with the ‘Honourary Uce’ Sami Zayn, who was supposed to be supporting Reigns, accidentally cost them the win. A kick aimed at Sikoa landed on Reigns.

In the coming weeks, we’ll find out whether the original ‘Bloodline’ will remain strong after their loss or whether the Sikoa-led ‘Bloodline’ will prevail as the strongest. How exciting!

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