Jacob Laban Is Out of the World Cup, and Phoenix Crossland Joins the Kiwis for Saturday’s Semi-Final Against Tonga

New Zealand have lost second rower Jacob Laban for the rest of the World Cup, and Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland has been called into the squad to replace him, RNZ reported on Tuesday.

The Kiwis play Tonga in the first semi-final at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday at 8.05pm AEDT, so Crossland could make his World Cup debut on his home ground.

A lower leg injury

Laban, 22, missed training last week and scans confirmed a lower leg injury. “It’s really disappointing for Jake and for us after the outstanding year he has had,” coach Stacey Jones said.

Crossland’s ban is done

Crossland was banned for four matches for the preliminary final tackle that broke Nathan Cleary’s leg. As we reported in October, the NRL let New Zealand’s three pool games count towards it, which left him free from 1 November. He had joined the Kiwis camp without being in the squad.

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He made his Test debut in 2024 and has played six Tests. His last was the 36-14 win over Samoa in the Pacific Championships final in Sydney last year.

Mulitalo misses out too

Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo will also miss the semi-final. He accepted a one-match ban for the high tackle on Ronald Philitoga that got him sent off in the 78-0 win over Fiji, 7NEWS reported. Fiji’s Brandon Wakeham, sent off for punching Mulitalo after the tackle, got one match too, though Fiji are out.

Ponga and Crossland on the bench

When the Kiwis named their team on Tuesday, Keano Kini kept the fullback spot and both Kalyn Ponga and Crossland were on the extended bench, the Guardian and Fox Sports reported. Ponga broke his forearm 22 days earlier in the opener against Australia, and Fox Sports said he trained at fullback on Tuesday. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad replaces Mulitalo on the wing. Kini scored two tries against Fiji, as our New Zealand v Fiji report covers.

The winner plays Australia or Samoa in the final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday 15 November. The World Cup table has the final pool standings, and our Newcastle World Cup guide covers the venue.