Tonga’s Rugby League Nine’s team has progressed to the semi-finals after winning over the Cook Islands 8-4 in rainy conditions yesterday, 8 July, at Apia Park Stadium, Samoa.

However, the team started off slow losing to top seeds Papua New Guinea (PNG) 10-0 and to Samoa 10-8.

Other countries through to the semi-finals are Samoa, and Fiji who lost to PNG 10-4 but edged out Samoa 14-12, reports the Games News Service.

The Cook Islands, Tokelau and the Solomon Islands have dropped out of medal contention having lost their ranking round matches.

The stadium was filled with supporters from the eight countries competing in both the men’s and women’s events.

Today’s semi-finals will see PNG play Tonga and Fiji face Samoa with the winners of each game progressing to the gold medal match while the losers play for bronze.

The game kicks off at 2pm today.