LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a thrilling Rugby League match, the Kiwi Ferns emerged victorious with a 28-10 win over Tonga.
The game took a turn when Tonga's Ilaisaane Taufa was sent off for a hip-drop style tackle, leaving her team a player down for the last half hour of the game.
This unfortunate incident also saw Kiwi Ferns player Amelia Pasikala being taken off the field with a suspected broken leg.
Despite Tonga trailing by just four points at halftime, the sending off seemed to dash their hopes of an upset victory.
The Kiwi Ferns capitalized on their advantage, scoring three more tries to secure a comfortable win.
However, Tonga can take solace in their improved performance compared to previous matches.
The game started strongly for New Zealand with Abigail Roache scoring two tries within the first 11 minutes.
But a series of errors and penalties allowed Tonga to get back into the game.
One crucial mistake was made by Shanice Parker, who failed to clear a loose ball from the in-goal area, leading to a try for Tiana Penitani.
This narrowed the gap to just four points at halftime after Cassey Tohi-Hiku successfully converted the try.