Kalyn Ponga Returns From Broken Arm as New Zealand Reaches World Cup Final

“I’ve bided my time in wanting to play for New Zealand and felt like this was the right decision for me,” Kalyn Ponga said after the Kiwis booked their spot in the final.

A mere three weeks after fracturing his left arm, Ponga laid on three tries in New Zealand’s 34-10 semi-final victory over Tonga on Saturday night, 1News reported. The fullback had a plate and 11 screws inserted in his arm following a tournament-opening loss to Australia.

Spurred by teammate Jahrome Hughes’ similar recovery during the 2025 NRL finals for the Melbourne Storm, Ponga returned as a late inclusion in Newcastle. BBC sport reported that Ponga was directly involved in four of New Zealand’s six tries, featuring black protective bandaging taped to his left forearm.

“The defensive mindset he had tonight, he saved a couple of tries. That’s what I love about KP.”

NRL.com noted that Ponga racked up 198 metres and three try assists alongside a try-saving tackle on Demitric Vaimauga. Jamayne Isaako mastered fierce winds to kick five out of six conversions for New Zealand, taking his tournament tally to 36 from 38 attempts.

Erin Clark added 141 metres off the bench and chipped to the corner for Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to score the final try.

New Zealand now faces Australia in the final on Sunday night at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The Kiwis are looking to secure their first World Cup title since the 2008 tournament, when a Benji Marshall-inspired side won 34-20 at the same venue.

Australia advanced after defeating Samoa 44-12 at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, led by a hat-trick from Reece Walsh. The Trans-Tasman rivals will kick off for World Cup supremacy at 7.35pm AEDT.

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