{
  "id": 18741889,
  "title": "New Zealand beat Tonga to reach World Cup final",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/new-zealand-beat-tonga-to-reach-world-cup-final",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-07T15:47:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Sport",
    "slug": "bbc-sport",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/cq80z8l8zgzno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "New Zealand reached their first Rugby League World Cup final since 2013 after defeating Tonga 34-10 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, according to the New Straits Times. Despite being 10-6 down, New Zealand held a narrow 12-10 lead at the break before taking control in the second half. Scorers for the Kiwis included Briton Nikora, Dane Gagai, Casey McLean, Jahrome Hughes, Xavier Willison, and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. BBC Sport noted that Kalyn Ponga returned to inspire the victory.\n\nThe final is scheduled for November 15 in Brisbane, where New Zealand will face either Samoa or defending champions Australia. New Straits Times reported that New Zealand captain James Fisher-Harris stated the team had worked hard to reach the decider and would not take the achievement for granted.\n\nIn other sports news, Nigeria's Flamingos will face Japan in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, according to Punch. Nigeria is the first African country to reach the tournament's final, having recovered from an opening 2-1 defeat to Poland to win five subsequent matches. Japan, seeking their second title, is the first team in the competition's history to score 150 goals. Premium Times noted that Nigeria's ability to find new leaders depending on match demands could be a decisive advantage.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Olive Press",
        "title": "Spain could ‘pull out of 2030 World Cup’ if final given to Morocco",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/spain-could-pull-out-of-2030-world-cup-if-final-given-to-morocco",
        "published": "2026-11-07T07:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RNZ Pacific",
        "title": "Rugby League World Cup: Kiwis kick Tonga out on way to final",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/rugby-league-world-cup-kiwis-kick-tonga-out-on-way-to-final",
        "published": "2026-11-07T11:14:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "New Zealand sweep into Rugby League World Cup final",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/new-zealand-sweep-into-rugby-league-world-cup-final",
        "published": "2026-11-07T12:37:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}