Ponga and Crossland Named on Kiwis Reserve List for Tonga Semi-Final
Kalyn Ponga, who played on for around 20 minutes with a broken arm, has been named on New Zealand's reserve list for Saturday's Rugby League World Cup semi-final against Tonga, according to BBC Sport.
Ponga broke his forearm on 15 October, in New Zealand's opening game against Australia. That match ended 24-22 to Australia. He had surgery after playing on, and three weeks later he is back in the squad picture. Head coach Stacey Jones said he hopes Ponga will be fit for the final on 15 November, if New Zealand get there.
A reserve is a player on standby. He can be moved into the 19-man matchday squad later in the week if he is needed.
The other name on the list is hooker Phoenix Crossland, who is also a reserve. The hooker plays in the middle of the front row and is a key link in the team's attack. Crossland's return is tied to one of the tournament's most serious injuries.
On 27 September, playing for Newcastle Knights against Penrith Panthers in the NRL play-offs, Crossland was sent off for a hip-drop tackle on Nathan Cleary. A hip-drop is a tackle where the tackler twists and drops the player, and it is a dangerous method. Cleary suffered a broken and dislocated left ankle. The injury ruled him out of the World Cup.
Crossland has now served his four-match ban. He missed all three of New Zealand's group games while suspended, and he also missed the NRL Grand Final, which Newcastle lost to the Sydney Roosters. New Zealand Rugby League named him and Ponga in its extended squad, calling both hometown players.
Crossland was not the first call. Jacob Laban was ruled out of the squad through injury ahead of the semi-final, which opened the way for Crossland to be added.
Tonga come into Saturday's match on a run of three straight wins. They beat England 30-12, Lebanon 36-0 and Toa Samoa 20-18. Their last meeting with New Zealand at a World Cup was a 28-22 Tonga win in Hamilton, with David Fusitu'a scoring a hat-trick, three tries in one game, as NRL.com reported.
For the semi-final itself, New Zealand have Keano Kini at fullback, Jamayne Isaako on the wing, and Dane Gagai and Casey McLean in the centres, according to the NRL's match listing. The kick-off is at 09:05 GMT on Saturday, which is Saturday evening in Newcastle, New South Wales.
Australia have their own semi-final, against Samoa. Reece Walsh has been picked ahead of James Tedesco, who is named on the bench, The Guardian reported.
Whether Ponga or Crossland will play on Saturday is not yet known. Both would need a call from the coaching staff later in the week. For now, the Kiwis are waiting to see who gets the nod.
