Kiwis reap rewards of gamble on 'freak of nature' Ponga

Playing with black protective bandaging taped to his left forearm, Ponga was directly involved in four of New Zealand's six tries. His fancy footwork and slick handling setting up scores for Briton Nikora, Casey McLean and Xavier Willison.

He largely dominated the contest with opposite number Lehi Hopoate, notably clearing out the full-back as he fumbled a grubber kick in Tonga's in-goal area for New Zealand's second try, scored by Dane Gagai.

In defence, a bruising try-saving block on Demitric Vaimauga indicated no cause for concern about his wounded wing.

"Obviously a freak of a player," said Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris. "The defensive mindset he had tonight, he saved a couple of tries. That's what I love about KP.