Tonga fans fill the streets in Otahuhu ahead of tonight’s Rugby League World Cup semi-final between Tonga and England.
Tonga are looking to continue their historic run while England are hoping to spoil the party in tonight's Rugby League World Cup semi-final in Auckland.
The match is a sell-out with a crowd of 30,000 expected at Mt Smart Stadium which is set to be the biggest attendance for a rugby league game at the Penrose venue since 1995, when the Warriors attracted huge crowds in their inaugural season in the NRL.
Follow all the build-up from 4.00pm and the match from 6.00pm in our live blog.
The sudden-death clash will decide which team goes through to face reigning champions Australia in next week's tournament final in Brisbane, after the Kangaroos maintained their unbeaten run with last night's emphatic 54-6 win over Fiji.
It's Tonga's first time in a World cup semi-final while England have made the final four at the past four World Cups, winning one and losing three. Their last win was in 1995 when they defeated Wales 25-10 to advance to the final.
Tonga are set to enjoy a home game atmosphere with the vast majority of the crowd expected to be clad in red, although a small but vocal contingent of England supporters are sure to make themselves heard.
The match is also the first full international between the two nations with an England A side previously winning two matches against Tonga – first in the round robin stage and again in the final of the 2006 Federation Shield.
Andrew Fifita of Tonga fends off Travis Robinson of Lebanon during the RLWC Quarter Final. Photo / Photosport
The game is England's first at Mt Smart while Tonga were beaten 56-8 by the Kiwis in their only test there in 2008.
Tonga have grown in confidence throughout their unbeaten four-game run that included a historic win over the Kiwis, but are seeking improvement after last week's narrow 24-22 quarter-final victory over Lebanon.
England began their campaign with a tight defeat to Australia but have gone untroubled since without playing to their full potential in wins over Lebanon, France, and in last week's quarter-final against Papua New Guinea.
Both sides have shown a willingness to move the football out wide but the result is expected to hinge on the highly anticipated forward battle between a Tongan pack featuring Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita and an England side led by veteran forwards Sam Burgess, James Graham and captain Sean O'Loughlin.
Tonga are aiming to maintain their ball control and execution having completed at a minimum of 80 per cent of their sets in their last three games, but need to improve their discipline after conceding a string of costly penalties against Lebanon.
Ryan Hall scores a try during the England Vs Papua New Guinea Rugby League World Cup Quarter Final match. Photo / Photosport
Young halves Ata Hingano and Tui Lolohea looked out of sorts behind a Tongan pack that lacked go-forward against the Cedars, so expect a sharpened effort from their big men.
England have had no trouble sniffing out tries scoring 14 in their last two games and their defence has been solid, although sloppy handling saw them complete just 57 per cent of sets against the Kumuls.
England coach Wayne Bennett has retained the same side that accounted for Papua New Guinea, while Tonga welcome back front-rower Sio Siua Taukeiaho from a knee injury that kept him sidelined last week.
Tonga: 1. William Hopoate 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Konrad Hurrell 5. David Fusitua 6.Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Ata Hingano 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Siliva Havili 10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 11.Manu Ma'u 12. Sika Manu 13. Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 14. Sione Katoa 15. Peni Terepo 16. Tevita Pangai Junior 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila. Reserves: 18. Sam Moa 19. Manu Vatuvei
England: 1. Gareth Widdop 2. Jermaine McGillvary 3. Kallum Watkins 4. John Bateman 5. Ryan Hall 6.Kevin Brown 7. Luke Gale 8. Chris Hill 9. Josh Hodgson 10. James Graham 11. Sam Burgess 12. Elliot Whitehead 13. Sean O'Loughlin. Interchange: 14. Alex Walmsley 15. Thomas Burgess 16. Ben Currie 17. James Roby. Reserves: 18. Jonny Lomax 19. Chris Heighington
