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‘Biggest danger’: Kimmorley backs Tonga for RLWC title
Sport Nation • October 19th, 2026 2:27 pm
Haumole Olakau’atu celebrates a try with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Robert Toia during the Rugby League World Cup match against England | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
Tonga’s emphatic win over England has put them firmly in the Rugby League World Cup title conversation, and former Australia halfback Brett Kimmorley believes they could become the team to beat, especially if Kalyn Ponga can’t return for New Zealand.
Australia kicked off the World Cup with a two point victory 22-24 over New Zealand where the Kiwis fullback sustained a broken arm and has since undergone surgery.
Tonga then opened their campaign with a dominant 30-12 victory over England in Perth and will face Lebanon in Sydney on Friday.
"Tonga, I think are the biggest danger now (to Australia) with Kalyn Ponga probably ruled out," he told Sport Nation Afternoons.
Can NZ still win World Cup without Kalyn Ponga? | Sport Nation
Kimmorley said Tonga’s opening performance had gone as he expected.
“The game went as what I thought it might have against England. I thought Tonga would win.
“Isaiya Katoa, he is the superstar of our game already for the Dolphins, and only a couple of years into his NRL career. This world stage will show that he is one of the best halfbacks in the world.
He said he was impressed with Katoa's kicking game - despite not usually fulfilling the role and being successful in 7/8 conversions and penalties.
“I thought with the fact of Izzy Katoa, the right foot, he doesn't do a lot of goal-kicking for the Dolphins because Jamayne Isaako does that very, very well on the wing for New Zealand, so he had to step up.
“Kicking game was first-class, ball-playing, just has got so much time and players like running off him and creates opportunities and that will be very, very dangerous in this tournament.”
Isaiya Katoa and Stefano Utoikamanu celebrate a try | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
Kimmorley also pointed to the form of Roosters centre Robert Toia and the influence of Tonga captain Jason Taumalolo.
“Robert Toia, obviously he had an unbelievable year and a great series with the Roosters into that grand final.
“The other gentleman that I think we should all say thank you to and the growth of players choosing home nations second nations and ability to go and walk away from the New Zealand Test side is Jason Taumalolo.
“He was the first big name player to not play for New Zealand and say I'm going to play for Tonga and start the dream for these players to all go and play for the Pacifica nations and he was wonderful as a big enforcer and their leader over there in Perth as well.”
Kalyn Ponga | Photo: James Gourley/Photosport
However, he insisted Ponga's return could come sooner than many think.
"Jahrome Hughes and Blayke Brailey returned to play football three weeks after breaking their arms.
"I think Kalyn Ponga had surgery on Friday night, so quickly into surgery, and will stay in camp.
"New Zealand technically are carrying a player short if Kalyn can't play, but they're obviously going to give him enough time to see if that heals."
Listen to the full interview below:
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