Ronaldo Mulitalo banned for New Zealand’s World Cup semi-final against Tonga after Fiji red card

Ronaldo Mulitalo will miss New Zealand’s Rugby League World Cup semi-final against Tonga after accepting a one-match suspension for a high tackle during the victory over Fiji.

The winger was sent off during Saturday’s 78–0 win on the Gold Coast. New Zealand now face Tonga at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday 7 November, with kick-off at 9.05am GMT.

Ronaldo Mulitalo ban confirmed after early guilty plea

The NRL’s disciplinary update confirms an early guilty plea to a Grade 2 careless high tackle charge. An unsuccessful challenge would have brought a two-match suspension.

Mulitalo will be eligible for the final if New Zealand progress.

Two red cards overshadow New Zealand’s win over Fiji

The incident came in the 52nd minute at Cbus Super Stadium, with New Zealand already leading 48–0.

Mulitalo came in from his wing and caught Ronald Philitoga high. The Fiji winger left the field and did not return. Fiji half-back Brandon Wakeham then threw a punch at Mulitalo and was also sent off.

New Zealand scored five further tries after the dismissals, completing a 13-try victory that secured their place in the last four.

Casey McLean scored four times, taking his international tally to 15 tries in seven Tests. Full-back Keano Kini contributed two tries, 260 running metres and seven tackle breaks, while Jahrome Hughes supplied three try assists.

Before his dismissal, Mulitalo had helped create a try for captain James Fisher-Harris by tapping back a Hughes kick. The NRL’s match report details a performance which put New Zealand within one win of the final.

Tonga set up New Zealand semi-final with dramatic Samoa win

Tonga secured their meeting with the Kiwis by beating Samoa 20–18 at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, finishing top of the combined Pool B and Pool C standings.

Addin Fonua-Blake scored the decisive late try, powering over with Tonga trailing 18–14. Isaiya Katoa’s conversion restored their lead, and they survived two late Samoa attacks to see out the match.

Sua Fa’alogo went close in the corner but touched the sideline, before a forward pass ended Samoa’s final opportunity. A crowd of 29,411 watched Tonga complete an unbeaten group campaign.

Samoa also qualified, with their points difference keeping them ahead of England. Our report on England’s World Cup exit and Tonga’s win over Samoa explains how the final group match settled qualification.

The result sends Samoa into a semi-final against Australia in Sydney, while Tonga take on a New Zealand side chasing their first World Cup title since 2008.

New Zealand vs Tonga: semi-final date and UK kick-off time

New Zealand and Tonga meet in the first men’s semi-final on Saturday 7 November. Australia and Samoa play the following day, with both matches kicking off at 9.05am GMT.

Fixture	Date	Venue	UK kick-off
New Zealand vs Tonga	Saturday 7 November	McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle	9.05am GMT
Australia vs Samoa	Sunday 8 November	Allianz Stadium, Sydney	9.05am GMT

The International Rugby League fixture list gives both men’s semi-finals a local start time of 8.05pm. Newcastle and Sydney are 11 hours ahead of the UK in November.

Both fixtures form part of double-headers, with a women’s semi-final taking place at the same ground earlier in the evening. The times above are for the men’s matches.

Our Rugby League World Cup semi-finals guide has the venues and UK timings for the knockout stage.