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New Zealand Kiwis vs Tonga XIII 2025 Pacific Championships Tips - Classy Kiwis too powerful for Tonga
In the 2025 Pacific Championships, New Zealand Kiwis are set to secure their finals spot with a decisive win over Tonga at Eden Park. The Kiwis, driven by their powerful halves, defense capabilities, and forward pack, aim to redeem themselves from their previous defeat against Tonga. Key factors such as goal-line defense and Tonga's creative struggles position the Kiwis as strong favorites. Additionally, influential players like Casey Maclean are predicted to make a significant impact, contributing to New Zealand's expected triumph.
- New Zealand Kiwis vs Tonga XIII expert predictions for Sunday’s Pacific Championships game
- Kick off is at 4:05 PM (AEST) at Eden Park, Auckland
- New Zealand aims to secure a finals spot with a commanding win over Tonga.
- Expert predictions favour New Zealand due to strong defence and offensive capabilities.
Expired
New Zealand Kiwis vs Tonga XIII, 2025 Pacific Championships - Expert Prediction
New Zealand will book their place in the Pacific Championships Final with a commanding win over Tonga at the iconic Eden Park on Sunday afternoon.
- New Zealand Kiwis vs Tonga XIII, 2025 Pacific Championships - Expert Prediction
- Head to Head
- New Zealand Kiwis Form Analysis
- New Zealand Kiwis Team News
- New Zealand Kiwis Team List
- Tonga XIII Form Analysis
- Tonga XIII Team News
- Tonga XIII Team List
- New Zealand Kiwis vs Tonga XIII Pacific Championships 2025 FAQ’s
The Kiwis will be out to redeem themselves from their shock loss to Tonga in last year’s Pacific Championship and will continue proving that they are the strongest Pacific nation in rugby league.
The halves pairing of Kieren Foran and Dylan Brown passed the test against Samoa while the backline put in the work and were classy finishers. The Kiwi forward pack were also up to the challenge and with Xavier Willison coming in on debut they became even more feared.
Tonga lacked flair in their clash last weekend against Samoa, being outplayed all over the park. Another upset looks very unlikely unless Kristian Woolf can work a miracle in 7 days.
The Kiwis class and power will be too much for Tonga this year with their goalline defence and the Tongans lack of creativity being the game breaker. I expect Tonga to struggle to stay with New Zealand on the scoreboard with the Kiwis running away and covering the 9.5 points as the favourites by holding their opponents under a 16.5-point team total.
Casey McLean is a try scoring phenomenon and will cross again for the Kiwis.
- New Zealand’s last 5 wins against Tonga have been by 10 points or more.
- Tonga have scored under 16.5 points in 4 of the last 7 matches against New Zealand.
- Tonga scored just 6 points against Samoa last weekend.
- Casey McLean has 6 tries in 2 career matches for New Zealand.
Head to Head
The last time these two met resulted in an upset for the ages with Isaita Katoa kicking a field goal to give Tonga a 25-24 victory in last year's Pacific Championships.
Tonga beat New Zealand in the 2017 World Cup, otherwise it has been a one-sided affair with Kiwis holding a 6-2 lead in the head to head tally.
New Zealand Kiwis Form Analysis
The Kiwis got the job done against Samoa in the opening match of the Pacific Championships with a 74th minute try by Dylan Brown breaking the deadlock and New Zealand becoming victorious 24-18.
It was a back and forth battle at GoMedia with the Kiwis racing out to a 12-0 lead before a comeback from Samoa. The stats can’t be any tighter in a game of footy with nothing splitting the two sides. If there was a difference in the numbers it would highlight the goal line defence of New Zealand as the game winner with New Zealand facing 30 tackles inside their 20m for just 3 tries, while they only tackled inside Samoa’s red zone 16 times.
With Ronaldo Mulitalo going down Matt Timoko had a day out at the back putting the work to get his side out of their own end, topping the chart with 194 run metres without a linebreak and also crossing the line for a try.
The New Zealand halves combination was under the microscope and it passed the test with Kieren Foran doing all of the kicking and Dylan Brown running at the line and taking on the playmaker duties. Brown finished the match with a try and two try assists in a standout performance.
New Zealand Kiwis Team News
Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jeremy Marshall-King will miss the clash versus Tonga, being replaced by Sebastian Kris on the wing and Phoenix Crossland being promoted to the starting side, with Te Maire Martin coming in and debuting off the bench.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been dropped with another debutant Xavier Willison coming into the 17.
New Zealand Kiwis Team List
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Matt Timoko
4. Casey McLean
5. Seb Kris
6. Dylan Brown
7. Kieran Foran
8. James Fisher-Harris
9. Phoenix Crossland
10. Moses Leota
11. Briton Nikora
12. Isaiah Papali'i
13. Joseph Tapine
Interchange
14. Te Maire Martin
15. Naufahu Whyte
16. Erin Clark
17. Xavier Willison
Reserves
18. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
19. Scott Sorensen
20. Keano Kini
21. Zach Dockar-Clay
Tonga XIII Form Analysis
The Tongans were outplayed heavily by Samoa last weekend with a consolation, 79th-minute try all they could rejoice about in a 34-6 loss at an electric Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
Tonga were torn up through the middle with Samoa running for 376 more metres while controlling 55% of possession and 61% of the territory. Tonga were on the back foot for most of the match, unable to contain the Samoa who had 30 tackles inside their 20m.
The halves combination of Isaiya Katoa and Isaiah Iongi failed to create any spark for the Tongans while also losing the kicking battle from their own end, giving up too much quality field position to their opponents.
Young Warriors phenomenon Leka Halisima came into the starting side late and was a shining light in a dull night for Tonga, running for 124 metres and busting the Samoan line twice and making 28 tackles.
Tonga XIII Team News
Robert Toai suffered an injury in the Tongans loss to Samoa and has been replaced by Paul Alamoti in the centres.
Felise Kaufusi comes into the starting side to replace Stefano Utoikamanu, who is under concussion protocol.
Jason Taumalolo comes back in at lock after being a late withdrawal last week.
Tonga XIII Team List
1. Lehi Hopoate
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Tolu Koula
4. Paul Alamoti
5. Sione Katoa
6. Isaiah Iongi
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Siliva Havili
10. Felise Kaufusi
11. Eli Katoa
12. Siua Wong
13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
14. Soni Luke
15. Leka Halasima
16. Demitric Vaimauga
17. Moeaki Fotuaika
Reserves
18. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
19. Will Penisini
New Zealand Kiwis vs Tonga XIII Pacific Championships 2025 FAQ’s
How to watch New Zealand Kiwis vs Tonga XIII Pacific Championships 2025?
You can watch the New Zealand Kiwis vs Tonga XIII Pacific Championships 2025 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the Watch NRL app is the perfect solution.
How to buy tickets to New Zealand Kiwis vs Tonga XIII Pacific Championships 2025?
To buy tickets to the New Zealand Kiwis vs Tonga XIII Pacific Championships 2025 game check the NRL website or the official New Zealand Kiwis site.
Verdict
Casey McLean will score and New Zealand will cover as 9.5-point favourites by holding Tonga under 16.5 points in the match.
New Zealand -9.5
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