The third round of matches in the 2024 NRL Pacific Championship get underway with a mouth-watering clash between two of International Rugby League's biggest rivals in recent years. It's a match in which the hits could be felt across all corners of Oceania, as the New Zealand Kiwis host Mate Ma'a Tonga in front of what's expected to be a packed crowd in Auckland.
This match shapes up to be a straight shoot-out for a place in the 2024 Pacific Cup Final, with both of these sides having played one and lost one in this year's Championship so far. Australia, meanwhile, are through to the decider with two wins from two so far, and the winner of this game will see them face off against the Kangaroos once more in the final.
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The Sporting News is on hand to bring you all the latest TV schedule information, live streaming and start times for this must see 2024 NRL Pacific Championships match, as Auckland is split down the middle and the cultures of New Zealand and Tonga renew hostilities once again with a place in the Pacific Cup Final at stake.
How to watch New Zealand Kiwis vs. Tonga XIII: Free-to-air channel, free live stream
TV channel: –
Live stream: Kayo, Foxtel, Nine Now, Gem
This New Zealand Kiwis vs. Mate Ma'a Tonga XIII NRL Pacific Championships match is not available on free-to-air or cable TV in Australia, but that doesn't mean Rugby League fans on this side of the Tasman won't be able to catch the action.
Four live streaming options are available to watch the match from Auckland, with Kayo Sports, Nine Now, Foxtel and Gem all showing the match live.
This match, and every single one across the 2024 Men's and Women's Pacific Cup and Pacific Bowl, will be available both via live streaming and on replay with Kayo.
New users to Kayo can currently sign up to a FREE trial.
Kiwis vs. Tonga XIII NRL Pacific Championships start time
This NRL Pacific Championships Week 3 clash takes place at Go Media Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand and kicks off on Saturday, November 2 2024, at 8:05 p.m. local time (NZDT).
Here's how that time translates to different Australian time zones:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Australian Eastern Daylight Time | Saturday, November 2 | 6:05 p.m. |
| Australian Central Daylight Time | Saturday, November 2 | 5:35 p.m. |
| Australian Western Standard Time | Saturday, November 2 | 3:05 p.m. |
Kiwis vs. Tonga XIII team lists for NRL Pacific Cup match
| New Zealand Kiwis team list | Tonga XIII team list |
|
1. Keano Kini 14. Kodi Nikorima 18. Erin Clark |
1. Lehi Hopoate 14. Soni Luke 18. Tolutau Koula |
Kiwis vs. Tonga XIII NRL Pacific Cup match preview
All three of the teams in this year's Pacific Cup are much-changed from last year's tournament, but unlike Australia in both rounds so far, neither the Kiwis nor Tonga XIII have been able to click into gear and get a victory on the board. Tonga lost 18-0 to the Kangaroos at Suncorp Stadium in Week 1, and the Kiwis did likewise by 22 points to 10 on home soil last weekend.
As is expected these days, Tonga took on the Aussies with a full-strength squad, but just weren't able to break down the stoic, State of Origin-tested defence of the Roos at Suncorp, being hit with two sucker-punch tries early in both halves before Tom Dearden rounded off the scoring to seal an 18-0 win.
The new-look Kiwis put up more of a fight at a sold-out Rugby League Park in Christchurch last time out, hitting back from early Australian tries in each half with two superb finishes from Jamayne Isaako and debutant Will Warbrick on either flank, but a double from Zac Lomax and Mitchell Moses' late breakaway score sent the Kangaroos into the decider with a 22-10 victory.