Tonga XIII ready to embrace the noise as Kiwis face Ponga call

Tonga know exactly what awaits them in Newcastle on Saturday night - a physical Kiwi side, a huge Tongan crowd and the chance to reach a first Rugby League World Cup final.

The Kiwis are also weighing up a major selection call with star fullback Kalyn Ponga named in the reserves just three weeks after breaking his arm against Australia.

Tonga playmaker Tuimoala "Tui" Lolohea says the focus is on what his side can control.

“It’s finals football; pretty much you lose, you’re out; you win, you’re into the big dance," he tells John Pulu on PMN Tonga.

Tonga XIII arrive in the semi-final after their thrilling 20-18 win over Toa Sāmoa last Sunday. The result sent them through to the final four and set up another huge Pacific clash.

Lolohea says the win over Sāmoa showed exactly what these games mean to the players and the people watching.

Watch Tui Lolohea's full interview on PMN Tonga below.

“It showed on the weekend how much passion was involved: the tears, the blood, the sweat. To come out on top was a feeling that's hard to describe.”

The Tonga side has stayed largely unchanged. Isaiya Katoa is again set to partner Lolohea in the halves. The team has also had little time to recover from the Sāmoa battle but Lolohea says the short turnaround has brought the group closer.

“We had a good prep today, a good training session with the boys. We’re just enjoying a bit of sunshine now, a bit of social life, a bit of coffee. Bonding, that’s what we're trying to do. If we can bond off the field, then our bond on the field will be even stronger.”

Tonga halfback Isaiya Katoa is set to partner Tui Lolohea again against New Zealand. Photo/SWpix.com/Allan McKenzie/Photosport

Now they face a New Zealand side that could welcome back one of its biggest stars.

Ponga has trained this week and has been named among the reserves but Kiwis coach Stacey Jones says the Newcastle Knights fullback will only play if he is fully ready.

“We're not going to play him if he's not ready," he told the team's media briefing.

New Zealand will also be without winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, who is serving a one-match suspension after being sent off in the Kiwis' 78-0 win over Fiji.

Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris says Tonga's physical battle with Sāmoa means he expects another tough night.

“That was a great game. Kudos to both teams, putting on that show. But again, physical battle. Should be a good, good one. It’s always a good one against Tonga so just looking forward to it.”

Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris is expecting another physical battle against Tonga. Photo/AAP/Robbie Stephenson/Photosport

For Tonga, the memory of beating New Zealand at the 2017 World Cup in Hamilton is still part of the story. That 28-22 win remains one of the biggest moments in Tongan rugby league. Now, Lolohea and his teammates have a chance to create another one.

The Tongan playmaker knows the team will not be alone.

“Hopefully, we get to see a big crowd in Newcastle this weekend. We know it’s not close to home for some people in Sydney and that, but I hope you guys can flow all the way here and flow into the game.”

And he has a message for the supporters who will make the trip.

“Keep the energy going, keep those hymns and songs going, and just be us, be crazy, that’s what Tongans are.”

Police are also preparing for another big weekend after about a dozen people were arrested for disorder-related offending following last Sunday's Tonga-Sāmoa match across the Tasman.

Senior Constable Mo’unga-E-Kaha’u (Mo) Kaifā tells Pulu that the message to supporters is simple.

“Yeah, that’s very simple, John. The messaging is: celebrations don’t override expectations. Gatherings and those attending them must be safe, must be lawful, and respectful. Celebrate respectfully, celebrate safely.”

Tonga are now 80 minutes from a World Cup final.

Lolohea says the chance to take Tonga to the biggest stage is about more than rugby league.

“To do that and also to win games, it’s like a double whammy. I keep saying it, it’s a great opportunity to represent Tonga, put my family’s name on the map, put it onto the world stage. I’m proud to do that for my Tongan side, and yeah, I’m proud.”

Tonga XIII v NZ Kiwis kicks off at 10.05pm (NZT) at the McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle in NSW.

Watch Mo’unga-E-Kaha’u (Mo) Kaifā's full interview on PMN Tonga below.

TEAMS

Tonga XIII: Lehi Hopoate (Fullback), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Winger), Tolutau Koula (Centre), Robert Toia (Centre), Jojo Fifita (Winger), Tuimoala Lolohea (Five-Eighth), Isaiya Katoa (Halfback), Addin Fonua-Blake (Prop), Salesi Foketi (Hooker), Jason Taumalolo (Captain/Prop), Haumole Olakau'atu (2nd Row), Siua Wong (2nd Row), Tyson Frizell (Lock). Interchange: Soni Luke, Stefano Utoikamanu, Demitric Vaimauga, Taniela Paseka, Leka Halasima, Latu Fainu. Reserves: Paul Alamoti, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Sione Katoa. Coach: Kristian Woolf. Ins & Outs: Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Paul Alamoti, Sione Katoa.

New Zealand Kiwis: Keano Kini (Fullback), Jamayne Isaako (Winger), Dane Gagai (Centre), Casey McLean (Centre), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Winger), Kodi Nikorima (Five-Eighth), Jahrome Hughes (Halfback), James Fisher-Harris (Captain/Prop), Jeremy Marshall-King (Hooker), Moses Leota (Prop), Isaiah Papali'i (2nd Row), Briton Nikora (2nd Row), Joseph Tapine (Lock). Interchange: Te Maire Martin, Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark, Xavier Willison, Scott Sorensen, Leo Thompson. Reserves: Tanner Stowers-Smith, Kalyn Ponga, Phoenix Crossland. Coach: Stacey Jones. Ins & Outs: Ins: Kalyn Ponga, Leo Thompson, Phoenix Crossland, Tanner Stowers-Smith; Outs: Ronaldo Mulitalo.

Match Officials: Grant Atkins (Referee), Daniel Luttringer (Touch Judge), Matt Noyen (Touch Judge), Wyatt Raymond (Senior Review Official).