Match Centre

Kotoni Staggs kicks from the scrum; Jordan Rapana loses possession as the full-time siren sounds.

Sitili Tupouniua is taken over the sideline after dislodging the ball from Joseph Manu's grasp.

Briton Nikora has been held up over the line - good work from the Tongan defence to hold the makeshift centre up.

The Kiwis win the challenge with the bunker ruling a mutual infringement.

New Zealand are challenging the call of Ronaldo Mulitalo being taken over the sideline.

Sione Katoa plays at the ball to deny his Cronulla teammate - Ronaldo Mulitalo - a try.

Hughes toes the ball in the in-goal; Sitili Tupouniua gets to the ball first for a line drop out.

Manu is cut down close to the try line.

The Tongan side have struggled today with nine debutants and a hugely inexperienced spine.

Soni Luke loses the ball.

Peta Hiku loses the ball just as the Kiwis were looking dangerous.

Staggs puts up a bomb; Joey Manu catches and cops a heavy tackle from Moses Suli.

Ronaldo Mulitalo makes a good catch (despite appearing to knock on).

Sione Katoa pounces on a loose pass.

Jahrome Hughes breaks away and is finally cut down by Tolutau Koula.

Soni Luke puts up a bomb which bounces into the hands of Dylan Brown.

Joey Manu makes another terrific kick-return.

Kieran Foran is on the field at dummy half.

Amone has come from the field with Soni Luke shifting to halfback.

Talatau Amone is tackled on the last play.

New Zealand make an error after points.

Great work from Fisher-Harris to deliver the pass for Papali'i to score.

Briton Nikora is on the field for New Zealand.

Jordan Rapana collects the short drop out.

Jahrome Hughes puts in a brilliant kick which results in a line drop out with Tolutau Koula touching the ball with a foot over the dead ball line.

Manu dances across the field, puts in a grubber kick and Koula narrowly manages to get out of the in-goal.

Joey Manu is tackled in the air and draws a penalty.

Tonga put in another short re-start and regain possession.

Joseph Manu makes a huge run and puts in a grubber kick to force a repeat set.

Jordan Rapana belts Christian Tuipulotu with a tremendous hit.

Haumole Olakau'atu is on the field for his Test debut.

Jesse Bromwich comes up with another error.

Tonga lose possession in their half after a solid hit from Brandon Smith.

Jesse Bromwich is back on for the Kiwis.

We've yet to see Kieran Foran, Briton Nikora or Haumole Olakau'atu in this match.

Soni Luke puts in a good kick followed up by a solid chase to trap Joey Manu inside his 20 metre zone.

Jordan Rapana juggles a pass from Joey Manu and slides over the sideline.

Marata Niukore pulls off a great hit on Talatau Amone to force an error.

Kenny Bromwich knocks on - both teams are struggling to lay a platform in the second half.

Will Penisini loses the ball close to the Tongan line - New Zealand will look to capitalise here.

Moses Leota loses the ball.

New Zealand win the challenge with Jordan Rapana playing the ball 10 metres out from the Tongan line.

Tonga come up with a short drop out, New Zealand are deemed to have knocked on. The Kiwis are challenging the ruling.

Koula knocks on and play will resume with a line drop out.

Tonga have the ball stripped close to their try line, but New Zealand is ruled to have knocked on to alleviate the pressure.

Tolutau Koula manages to stay in the field of play after a great attacking kick from Jahrome Hughes.

Christian Tuipulotu makes a nice catch - the Manly player has been heavily involved in his Test debut.

Moses Leota returns the ball to get the second half underway.

Peta Hiku knocks on as the Kiwis spread the ball after the halftime siren.

Christian Tuipulotu is back on the field.

Kotoni Staggs comes up with another important tackle on Hiku.

Sione Katoa can't hold onto a pass from Will Penisini just as Tonga were looking dangerous inside the New Zealand half.

Tonga find touch inside the New Zealand half from a penalty.

Soni Luke is on for his test debut.

Tonga get a penalty inside their own half.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona cleans up a Tongan bomb that bounces inside the New Zealand half.

Peta Hiku slides into touch; Tonga receive a relieving penalty with Jordan Rapana ruled to have pushed a Tongan player in the back.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Moeaki Fotuaika are on for their respective sides.

Kotoni Staggs makes a try-saving tackle on Peta Hiku.

The atmosphere of the match is something to behold.

Rain is starting to fall as Tolu Koula makes an error.

Both teams are trading sets - the match appears to have settled into a groove after the frenetic opening.

Moses Leota busts through the defence over halfway.

The Kiwis will kick to take the lead beyond a converted try.

New Zealand penalty close to the posts.

Tevita Tatola is on for Addin Fonua-Blake.

Isaiah Papali'i puts an attacking kick in; Tuipulotu cleans up close to the try line.

Moses Leota is on for the Kiwis.

Staggs gets a kick away - Tonga aren't nailing their last tackle options during the opening quarter.

Christian Tuipulotu makes an important catch to prevent Jordan Rapana from scoring the Kiwi's third.

Joey Manu is tackled short of the line after Fisher-Harris' monstrous run.

James Fisher-Harris is into space and makes a huge run to be cut down a metre from the try line.

Amone puts up a bomb fielded by Joey Manu in the set following points.

This has been a thrilling opening with New Zealand dominating early and Tonga capitalising on their opportunities.

The visitors find space on the right and capitalise on Bromwich's error.

Jesse Bromwich loses the ball inside the New Zealand half - this is the opportunity Tonga has been waiting for.

Staggs' kick bounces over the sideline to bring about a rare stoppage.

Sione Katoa cleans up a nicely-placed kick from Hughes.

Talatau Amone manages to get a kick away just in time.

Mulitalo contests a bomb from Dylan Brown; Koula is able to get to the ball before the New Zealand chasers.

Tonga need to stem the flow of points quickly or this match may be over before it begins.

James Fisher-Harris did a great job to keep the ball moving in the lead up to that try.

The Kiwis are dominating in the opening exchanges!

Havili puts in a kick; Mulitalo returns on his 20 metre line.

Hughes gets a kick away and Koula returns the ball over his 20 metre line.

Brandon Smith takes another run and crosses over the 40 metre line.

Hughes scored in his test debut against Tonga in 2019 and has crossed for the first try in his first starting appearance.

Brandon Smith takes on the line and is forced back by the Tongan defence.

The Kiwis will get another attacking set 10 metres out from the try line.

Christian Tuipulotu saves a try by knocking down a pass intended for Jordan Rapana.

New Zealand penalty.

Ronaldo Mulitalo takes a catch with plenty of pressure from the Tongan chasers.

Addin Fonua-Blake takes the first run of the match.

The National Anthem's have been sung. Both teams have performed their traditional dances. Kick-off is moments away - INTERNATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE IS BACK!

Tonga have named nine players set to make their first appearances at test level - Tolutau Koula, Christian Tuipulotu Will Penisini, Sione Katoa, Talatau Amone, Keaon Koloamatangi, Soni Luke, Haumole Olakau’atu, Moeaki Fotuaika.

New Zealand will field four debutants - Ronaldo Mulitalo, Marata Niukore, Dylan Brown and Moses Leota.

Jason Taumalolo and Siosiua Taukeiaho will co-captain Tonga.

Jesse Bromwich will regain the Kiwi captaincy for the first time since the ANZAC Test in 2017.

This is the first meeting between the two sides since the Representative Round three years ago where New Zealand claimed a 34-14 victory.

Welcome to League Unlimited’s coverage of International Rugby League between New Zealand and Tonga from Mt Smart Stadium.