The Wrap: World Cup Men's Semi-Finals

After bringing so much passion and colour to the 2026 World Cup, Tonga and Samoa said goodbye at the semi-final stage as the Kiwis and Kangaroos flexed their considerable muscle.

With Kalyn Ponga brilliant in his return from a broken arm and Jahrome Hughes producing a playmaking masterclass, New Zealand stormed into the Cup Final with a 34-10 win over Tonga in Newcastle.

Returning just 23 days after breaking his arm against Australia, Ponga racked up 198 metres and three try assists while also coming up with the tackle of the match on a rampaging Demitric Vaimauga to dispel any doubts about his fitness.

Hughes scored a trademark try from close range and tallied 397 kick metres in the treacherous conditions as the Kiwis from a 10-6 deficit just before half-time to race away with the contest and book their ticket to Brisbane for the decider.

Their opponents will be Australia after the defending champions produced a clinical display to send Samoa packing 44-12 at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

With Reece Walsh snaring a hat-trick and Tom Dearden and Cameron Munster steering the ship superbly, the world champions turned a 26-2 half-time lead into their sixth Test match win over Samoa from six meetings.

Forwards Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (14 runs for 157m), Pat Carrigan (17 runs for 163m) and Jacob Preston (96 run metres, 7 tackle breaks, 1 try) were magnificent as the Kangaroos went up a gear at precisely the right time.

They now head to Brisbane to face their Trans-Tasman rivals in a rematch of their Round 1 blockbuster in Sydney and a repeat of the 2013, 2008 and 2000 World Cup Finals.

That decider at Suncorp Stadium in 2008 produced one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history when the Benji Marshall-inspired Kiwis got home 34-20.

That emotion-charged 2008 triumph remains New Zealand's only World Cup title and they will be hell bent on adding a second this Sunday while Australia chase their fourth straight success and 13th overall.

The ultimate showdown for World Cup supremacy kicks off at 7.35pm AEDT at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

Judiciary

James Fisher-Harris (New Zealand) - Grade 1 Dangerous Contact
Early plea - Warning. Guilty at panel - 1 match ban.

New Zealand v Tonga, Saturday 8.05pm AEDT at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle