Kiwis vs Tonga match to decide who tops Pool B

One of the most anticipated clashes of the Rugby League World Cup group stages rolls around this afternoon, with New Zealand and Tonga meeting to decide who tops Pool B.

With both teams comfortably unbeaten in their two World Cup games to date, everything points towards this match at Waikato Stadium living up to its pre‑tournament billing.

After demolishing Scotland 74‑6 last Saturday, the Kiwis have made a host of changes, headlined by the return of experienced campaigners Simon Mannering and Thomas Leuluai to the starting forward pack.

Tonga’s coach Kristian Woolf has opted for a settled approach, with Konrad Hurrell's return to the centres being the only change to their 17 which downed Samoa 32‑18 last week.

The loser of this game will play the Vodafone Fiji Bati in the quarters.

New Zealand will play Tonga at 5pm today, Samoa will take on Scotland at 8pm while Australia will face Lebanon at 10pm.