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How to sync SN with your TV'Nervous': The danger Tonga poses to the Kiwis' World Cup dream
Sport Nation • November 4th, 2026 10:17 am
Kiwis players celebrate a try against Fiji | Photo: Jason O’Brien/Photosport
New Zealand will face a dangerous Tongan side in this week's Rugby League World Cup semi-final, with former Kiwi's five-eighth Lance Hohaia warning the current side must not to underestimate a team beaming with confidence and attacking flare.
Tonga have emerged as a genuine threat throughout the tournament, and their meeting with the Kiwis is shaping as an exciting clash, particularly after their thrilling encounter with Samoa last weekend.
“A bit nervous about the game, to be honest," Hohaia told Sport Nation's Scotty & Izzy.
"When I first saw Tonga play their very first game of the World Cup, I knew they'd be a team to watch and meeting them in the semis is going to be a juicy match-up.
“They have a forward pack to match ours.
“They've got (Isaiya) Katoa directing really well and playing confidently at seven. They've got (Jojo) Fifita and (Robert) Toia and (Haumole) Olakau'atu, Addin Fonua-Blake all strike weapons, across the board, they've got a lot of quality throughout their team.”
Addin Fonua-Blake celebrates with teammates after scoring a try against Samoa | Photo: David Neilson/Photosport
Tonga's performance against Samoa only enhanced Hohaia's concerns, with the side demonstrating both their attacking ability and composure under pressure.
“Obviously, we saw the back-and-forth affair against Samoa last weekend, and that was a phenomenal game, and I just think they're playing with confidence, and they've got quality players, experience, NRL players throughout their team.
“Maybe not so much at the Test level. So that'll be potentially the difference maker there with Kiwis having a bit more experience at Test level.
“I think we do have probably a little more depth than Tonga do in various positions, but we've still got to get out there and play well.”
Phoenix Crossland | Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
New Zealand could also receive a significant boost, with Phoenix Crossland potentially returning from a four-match suspension while Kalyn Ponga may also make a comeback after recovering from a broken arm he sustained in the World Cup opener against Australia, to which he underwent surgery on October 16.
“If Crossland's going to play, he'd probably need to start at hooker, and if Kalyn's going to play, he'd need to start at fullback for me.”
The Kiwis will also be hoping halfback Jahrome Hughes can replicate his impressive performance from last week.
“Jahrome Hughes was in a mood last week and that's a good thing for us as Kiwi fans," he said.
"I thought he a solid game and if he plays that way again behind that forward pack, and we're adding Kalyn and Crossland, I think we get over the line, just.”
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Listen to the full interview below:
