NZ's Ponga back in World Cup contention after broken arm

New Zealand call Kalyn Ponga and Phoenix Crossland into their extended squad for their 2026 Rugby League World Cup semi-final against Tonga. Kalyn Ponga trained this week with a black bandage around his recently broken left arm New Zealand have named Kalyn Ponga on the reserve list for their Rugby League World Cup semi-final against Tonga – just three weeks after he broke his forearm. And hooker Phoenix Crossland has also been included on the reserve list after completing a four-match ban imposed for the tackle that ruled Nathan Cleary out of the World Cup. Ponga suffered a broken arm on 15 October during the opening game of the tournament, which New Zealand lost to Australia in a thrilling encounter.

The full-back played on for around 20 minutes with the injury as Australia narrowly triumphed 24-22, before having to go for surgery. But even at the time, head coach Stacey Jones expressed hope that Ponga would be fit for the final on 15 November if New Zealand got there. Crossland, meanwhile, is back available after missing the entire group stage as he served his suspension. The Newcastle Knights hooker was sent off for a 'hip-drop' tackle on Australia's Nathan Cleary while playing against Penrith Panthers in the NRL play-offs on 27 September. It left Cleary with a compound fracture and