Pakistan, Nov. 8 -- "He's a tough character and he was so adamant he was playing." Kalyn Ponga, in the words of his head coach Stacey Jones, was never going to miss New Zealand's Rugby League World Cup semi-final. But it was a remarkable return to action for a player whose tournament turned from dream to nightmare just over three weeks ago. In the World Cup opener against Australia in Sydney on 15 October, Ponga seemed to be enjoying a perfect New Zealand debut. Then it all went wrong. The 28-year-old scored two second-half tries but was forced off late in the game - having played for 20 minutes with a broken left forearm sustained in a tackle with Cameron Munster. The Kiwis went on to lose 24-22; Ponga required surgery. Just 23 days late...