Ronaldo Mulitalo of New Zealand celebrates scoring his sides first try against Fiji in their quarter final clash at the Rugby League World Cup. Photo: Will Palmer / www.photosport.nz
The Kiwis have survived a big scare in the quarterfinals at the Rugby League World Cup in England.
New Zealand edged Fiji out 24-18 in Hull on Sunday morning (NZ time) to set-up a semifinal against perennial tournament favourites Australia.
But, for a large part of the match, a repeat of Fiji's upset win over the Kiwis at the same stage of the 2017 World Cup looked on the cards.
The inspired Fijians led 12-0 early and then 18-6 early in the second half after scoring their third try of the match.
As the game wore on, though, the hectic pace began to take its toll and New Zealand hit back with two tries to eventually level the score at 18-18 with just quarter of an hour left to play.
A Jordan Rapana penalty then gave the Kiwis a two-point led, before he scored a try on the stroke of fulltime to seal their place in the final four.
New Zealand and Australia's semifinal was set to be played in Leeds on Saturday next week.
Earlier on Sunday, England eased past Papua New Guinea 46-6 in their quarterfinal.
And the English were lined up to play the winner of Monday's fourth and last quarterfinal between Tonga and Samoa.
Large numbers of fans gather in Auckland
Police in south Auckland said a large number of people congregated in public places last night to follow the world cup games being played overnight in the UK.
The Counties Manukau West Area Commander said cordons were put in place in the Māngere town centre and Ōtāhuhu to help disperse crowds.
Inspector Matt Srhoj said the measures were used because earlier in the weekend there were problems with supporters walking on streets, fights breaking out, and bonnet surfing on cars.
He said that sort of behaviour was not acceptable and more police had been on patrol to monitor the crowds.