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A pre-match drama involving forward Eliesa Katoa could attract further scrutiny after Tonga bowed out of the Pacific Championships with a 40-14 loss to New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland, on Sunday.
The result means the Kiwis will meet Samoa in the tournament decider at CommBank Stadium next Sunday.
Tonga were already behind the eight-ball before the game kicked off, after a 34-6 thrashing from Samoa seven days earlier left them needing to beat the Kiwis by at least 18 points to reach the final.
Those hopes appeared to have suffered a major setback during the pre-game warm-up, when Katoa copped an accidental shoulder flush to the head from teammate Lehi Hopoate.
The Storm back-rower appeared dazed, but he took his place for the national anthems and in the starting line-up for kick-off.
“It would be interesting if he actually went through an HIA,” Nine commentator Brad Fittler said.
Tonga forward Eliesa Katoa receives treatment before leaving the field.Credit: Getty Images
The incident came a week after the controversy surrounding a high shot by Frank Molo that left Tonga’s Stefano Utoikomanu concussed, yet resulted in only a $390 fine and no sin-binning for the Samoa forward.
Ten minutes into the game, Katoa had to leave the field for treatment after a stray elbow from teammate Will Penisini left him with a facial wound. Again he returned to the fray, but was unable to prevent the home side from racing to a 24-2 half-time lead.
He was eventually benched midway through the second half, with blood tricking down his face.
Running on fresh legs after a week off, New Zealand struck first in the 18th minute when fullback Keano Kini started and finished a long-range try.
New Zealand’s pre-match haka.Credit: Getty Images
Newcastle-bound Dylan Brown then scored after spearing straight through the middle of the ruck, before turning provider for centre Casey McLean five minutes later with a pinpoint chip kick.
The Penrith tyro has now scored seven tries in just three Tests.
When Kiwis centre Matt Timoko scored in the 37th minute, it was 24-0 and a cricket score appeared on the cards.
Then New Zealand lost Erin Clark to the sin-bin on the stroke of half-time, allowing Tonga to put two points on the board, through Isaiya Katoa.
Keano Kini streaks away for New Zealand.Credit: Getty Images
New Zealand winger Jamayne Isaako restored the 24-point margin with a penalty goal early in the second half.
Tonga finally cracked the Kiwis open the 49th minute, when replacement forward Demitric Vaimauga crashed over from short range.
But then Tonga allowed the kick-off to go dead, providing New Zealand with another attacking opportunity, which they duly converted into a Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad try.
A second Brown try in the 66th minute was a good sign for the Knights, as they await his arrival to start a 10-year contract.
His future Newcastle teammate Phoenix Crossland was next to join the scoring procession after a clever pass from Te Maire Martin.
There was plenty of Tongan support in the crowd.Credit: Getty Images
As it the case so often when these two nations clash, the bumper Eden Park crowd of 38,914 was dominated by Tongan fans.
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Veteran winger Daniel Tupou gave them reason to cheer with a 76th-minute consolation try.
Kiwis coach Stacey Jones warned the Mate Ma’a in a pre-match interview: “This is our backyard.”
Clearly, it still is.
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