Tonga Isaiya Katoa on attack for Tonga XIII at Go Media Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand. Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Isaiya Katoa fielded a goal from 30 metres out with four minutes to go to give Tonga XIII a 25-24 win in the deciding Pacific Cup championship game at the Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday night.
Katoa lined up his shot deep inside the Kiwis territory after a late surge by the Tongans, as they looked doomed to give away their 24-6 halftime lead.
The Dolphins playmaker did not miss and fisted the air as the ball sailed over the crossbar.
Two minutes later Kiwis Jamayne Isaako missed a penalty attempt, and then a field goal attempt as well as time almost ended.
As the seconds ticked away captain Addin Fonua-Blake led his troops to slow the game down, almost to walking pace.
As the game ended the side, better known as Mate Ma'a Tonga, buried the Kiwis hopes of playing the Kangaroos in a return clash in Sydney next weekend.
Tonga XIII team photo with the Challenge Trophy cup. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
MMT will go to Sydney for the Pacific Cup final and the chance to avenge their 18-0 loss two weekends ago.
The Kiwis will probably meet the PNG Kumuls in the promotion relegation series, also next weekend.
As the thousands of Tongans fans celebrated and the sea of Red soaked in the victory, there was no denying the fact that there were some nervous moments, especially when the Tongans conceded a 24-6 halftime lead and could not match their first half performance.
What should have been another good second half turned into a nightmare for the Tongans, who were not able to show the same fire they had displayed in the first 40 minutes.
They fell of their tackles in the second 40, the Kiwis upped the tempo and took the game back at the Tongans.
Their kicking game was also questionable in the second half, with the ball being kicked far into the Kiwis territory with no chasers, instead of high up and unders that proved to work well for them in the first half.
The first half display was cause for celebration for around 6,000 fans who had turned up in Red to cheer their team.
MMT winger Sione Katoa took the last past in a backline move, stepped in and diver over to score. Tonga led 4-0 and halfback Isaiya Katoa converted from near the sideline as the visitors took an early 6-0 lead.
Tonga took the aking the game to the Kiwis early and forced a passing error in the 10th minute mark, as the sea of red fans cheered the side on.
"We knew if we got back to playing our game then we would get the win," Fonua-Blake said.
"We will enjoy the win and get back to work next week.
"MMT malo, malo," he added as he acknowledged the fans on the grandstand.
A penalty in the 12th minute after Jason Taumalolo was tripped as he went for a quick dump was converted by Isaiya from in front, giving Tonga an 8-0 cushion.
Big co-captains Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake made straight runs up the middle of the field a few times, dragging in Kiwi players, to try and create overlaps.
The Kiwis recovered from the early Tongan onslaught and slowly crept back into the game.
The Tongan defense were on tight alert until the 20th minute when Fonua-Blake was penalized for what the ref said was a late push on Kiwi playmaker Shaun Johnson.
Luckily the Kiwis spilled the ball on in a tackle on the line.
Fonua-Blake then ran through the Kiwis defense in the 24th minute to score under the crossbar, following a good counter run by Sione Katoa. Isaiya Katoa converted from in front as MMT shot ahead to 14-0.
Twenty eight minutes in veteran scrumhalf Siliva Havili dummed his way from close range, to give Tonga an 18-0 cushion. Isaiya Katoa missed the two pointers.
Tongan supporters cheer during the Pacific Championship against the Kiwis at the Mount Smart Stadium on 2 November. Photo: Photosport
Thirty three minutres in and Soni Luke dumped the ball over the line and close to the post, after another good drive by Taumalolo. Isaika Katoa got two points from in front and suddenly the MMT had 24 points to nil.
Isaiah Papali'i went over from a close rake to restore some respect for the home side, with three minutes to go before the break.
When the game resumed in the second spell, Tonga forced two goalline kick-offs after putting pressure on the Kiwis.
The Kiwis got first blood in the second half when fullback Keano Kini was on the receiving end of an overlap, running in to score. Jamayne Isaako converted to close the gap to 24-12 in favour of the MMT.
Then Phoenix Crossland received the last pass from Shau Johnson near the line to dive over, Isaako converting as the Kiwis bounced back to trail 24-18, with 19 minutes gone.
The Kiwis rushed up with their tackles in the second half, not allowing the Tongans to get any motion into place.
Tonga fell off tackles and were slowly tired as prop Joseph Tapine grubber kicked, chased, picked up and ran on to score. Isaako's conversion drew the scores level, with 12 minutes left.
But it was Katoa who had the last laugh with his field goal, sending fans celebrating on the grandstand.