NZ's Ponga back on bench - three weeks after breaking arm

Published3 November 2026

New Zealand have named Kalyn Ponga on the bench for their Rugby League World Cup semi-final against Tonga - just three weeks after he broke his forearm.

And hooker Phoenix Crossland is also in contention to feature after completing a four-match ban imposed for the tackle that ruled Nathan Cleary out of the World Cup.

Ponga suffered a broken arm on 15 October during the opening game of the tournament, which New Zealand lost to Australia in a thrilling encounter.

The full-back played on for around 20 minutes with the injury as Australia narrowly triumphed 24-22, before having to go for surgery.

But even at the time, head coach Stacey Jones expressed hope that Ponga would be fit for the final on 15 November if New Zealand got there.

Crossland, meanwhile, is back available after missing the entire group stage as he served his suspension.

The Newcastle Knights hooker was sent off for a 'hip-drop' tackle on Australia's Nathan Cleary while playing against Penrith Panthers in the NRL play-offs on 27 September.

Crossland and Ponga were initially named on the reserve list for the game against Tonga in Newcastle, New South Wales (09:05 GMT).

But Ponga was moved up into the 19-man matchday squad on Friday by head coach Stacey Jones, who indicated that Crossland would be included in it too.

It left Cleary with a compound fracture and dislocation to his left ankle, ruling him out of the World Cup on home soil.

Crossland - who apologised to Cleary - missed the NRL Grand Final, which the Knights lost to Sydney Roosters, and sat out all three of New Zealand's Group A matches.

Tonga, who effectively eliminated England by beating them 30-12 in their opening game on 17 October, are unchanged from their final group match.

They finished top of Group B-C with a 20-18 win over Samoa, and will look to repeat their 2017 World Cup group-stage victory over New Zealand.

Reigning champions Australia face Samoa in Sydney on Sunday (09:05 GMT) in the other men's semi-final.

Australia's XIII is unchanged, with Reece Walsh continuing ahead of James Tedesco at full-back.

Samoa, whose narrow defeat by Tonga confirmed England's elimination, bring in Ronald Volkman at stand-off after losing Chanel Harris-Tavita to a hamstring injury.

Women's favourites Australia return to full strength

In the women's semi-finals, red-hot favourites Australia are back to full strength to face Fiji on Sydney on Sunday (06:45 GMT) after resting players for their final group game against Wales.

Jocelyn Kelleher, who starred in their 78-0 thrashing of England, returns at stand-off while props Millie Elliott and Simaima Taufa and hooker Olivia Higgins also return.

Tiana Penitani Gray returns after a foot injury and joins Shaylee Bent and Olivia Kernick in the back row, having missed last Sunday's 124-6 dismantling of Wales.

Maria Paseka returns on the wing after missing two games with a leg injury in the main team news for the islanders.

In Saturday's semi-final (06:45 GMT), New Zealand face Samoa, who eliminated England with a 24-6 win in Wollongong last Friday.

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