Incoming Sharks prop Addin Fonua-Blake inspired Tonga to an unforgettable 25-24 victory over New Zealand on Saturday night to set up a Pacific Cup final clash with Australia this weekend.
Tonga co-captain Fonua-Blake, who officially became a Shark on November 1, produced a sublime prop's performance with 224 metres and a barnstorming try.
AFB speaks after historic Tonga win
Fellow Cronulla representative Sione Katoa also made his mark on the riveting match at Go Media Stadium in Auckland, the winger scoring the opening four-pointer in the second minute while registering two line breaks and 166 metres.
Sione Katoa Try
After racing to a stunning 24-0 lead, Tonga withstood a fierce comeback from the Kiwis, who levelled the scores at 24-all in the 67th minute. Young Dolphins playmaker Isaiya Katoa slotted the decisive field goal in the 75th minute.
Tonga will be out to avenge an 18-0 loss to the Kangaroos in week one of the Pacific Championships when they meet in Sunday's decider at CommBank Stadium.
In other Tests involving Sharks players across the weekend, the Talei Holmes-led Fiji Bulikula went down 16-12 to Fetu Samoa in women's Pacific Bowl final.
Samoa fought back from a 12-4 half-time deficit in Auckland to earn a place in the 2026 women's Rugby League World Cup. Fiji second-rower Holmes typically gave her all and led the way with 43 tackles, while her Sharks NRLW teammate Cassie Staples notched up a game-high 208 metres and 24 runs at fullback.
Luisa Yaranamua, who turned out for Cronulla's Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership team in 2024, played five-eighth for Fiji and busted four tackles.
Meanwhile, the NZ Kiwi Ferns booked a place in the Pacific Cup final against the Jillaroos with a crushing 36-0 win over the PNG Orchids in Port Moresby.
Sharks forward Brooke Anderson lined up at hooker for New Zealand, recording 31 tackles, two line-break assists and a try assist in an accomplished 70-minute effort. Fellow Cronulla star Annessa Biddle was rested but is set to return against an Australian squad containing Sharks duo Tiana Penitani and Quincy Dodd.
Brooke Anderson strong in D
The Jillaroos ran out 14-0 victors against the Kiwi Ferns two weekends ago.
