Australia have answered their critics with a hard-fought 34-16 win over a determined Tonga outfit at Mt Smart Stadium.
Saturday night’s game was one of the most highly-anticipated international fixtures in recent history as Tonga looked to prove themselves against world champions Australia.
And the highlights began before the game started, with a sea of red and white in raptures as the Tongan side performed the Sipi Tau.
Many expected that the Mate Ma’a may have too much passion and emotion for the Australians, yet it seemed to be working against the away side early as they struggled to settle into to the contest.
Tonga completed just 58% of their sets in the first half and found themselves trailing 30-10 at the break, a disappointing result given the hype around Saturday’s game.
The Kangaroos were first to score in the fifth minute after Daly Cherry-Evans scooped up a loose Tongan offload and raced away to score.
Minutes later, fellow Sea Eagles teammate Tom Trbojevic crossed over out wide to extend Australia’s lead to 12.
Despite having limited first-grade experience, Raiders halfback Ata Hingano was Tonga’s most dangerous early as he put Tevita Pangai Junior through a gaping hole in the 15th minute to reduce the deficit to six.
Unfortunately, he would be later taken off with a shoulder injury.
Just as Tonga looked to be turning the tide, Andrew Fifita came up with an error off the restart and momentum was lost.
10 minutes later, Australia proceeded to score back-to-back tries through Valentine Holmes and Trbojevic.
Tonga hit back after a left-side raid saw Daniel Tupou slice over out wide but a last-gasp try to Holmes meant that the Kangaroos took a commanding 20-point lead into the break.
Kristian Woolf’s side enjoyed five-straight sets on the Kangaroos’ line and eventually capitalised in the 50th minute when Solomone Kata surged over off a lovely tip on pass from Will Hopoate.
But the Kangaroos eventually sealed the victory in the 64th minute when James Tedesco shaped to pass before taking on the line himself and slicing over in the corner.
Tedesco proved Australia’s best in both attack and defence, coming up with a try-saving tackle in the final moments on Tongan winger David Fusitua.
Despite their efforts, Tonga couldn’t break Australia’s brick wall defence as the Kangaroos held on for an eighteen-point win.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
It lost the likes of stars Slater, Smith and Thurston in one fell swoop.Take away three of your best players from any team, and it suffers. Also give some credit for NZ and Tonga ,their p[layers are hardly novices. Population has little to do with it, in the end.It's the "cattle" available on the day. Matter of fact quite a few rl people ,would rather have a more competitive International scene, than lay down certainties year after year.
Republican
Guest
.......Ozzie League is either on the wane or mediocre from the GR up, when you consider its status, profile, resources respective populations, et el, of opposing nations NZ & Tonga.......
Not Bernie
Roar Rookie
This comment has been removed for breaching The Roar's comments policy.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Our mate obviously did not hear the singing prior, during or after. In fact the loudspeakers played apparently Methodist hymns, in addition to their uninitiated singing. Bernie obviously has little idea of a CC final. I think it's time for Bernie to seek another alias, he lacks substance or facts under the current one.,
steveng
Roar Rookie
It doesn't mater if there is one second to go, Tedesco deserved the 10 min bin. So, in your book, if there is 90 seconds to go, anything goes and the rule book is thrown out the window? Tedesco had a second go and impeded an attacking player, that could have scored, that is why he got the bin!
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Any bites yet?
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Keep fishing.
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
The Tongan music came thru the loudspeakers so it wasn't crowd inspired - that wouldn't happen at Challenge Cup final. I think Sutton will have to ref all the games to make them interesting...
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
So you cant refute what I wrote ?
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Tedesco made some great runs thru the middle of the park where he didn't get the ball but he's always looking for the chance to join in. Holmes is another standout player. There were some brave tackling efforts by the Australians on some big strong Tongans and they all stood up well I thought. The Turbo brothers look right at home at rep level to me and Tom is maturing at a rapid pace. DCE and the Cookie monster don't quite look at home yet but showed some good signs.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
We don’t even get local news on 9 down here. We get the Victorian version.
db
Guest
The Channel 9 news at 6 o'clock on a Saturday night has such importance that it cannot be displaced.
Paul
Roar Guru
Completely agree with your comment about reducing the length of the season. Personally, I'd have each team play each other once and perhaps a couple of extra local derby rounds that attract the patrons, so the season would be around 16 - 18 games. Plenty of time for rep footy, now that sides like Samoa, etc are showing they can be competitive
Paul
Roar Guru
I think you nailed it Justin.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Very strange decision and it affected the viewership. Fox was up 50000 on last weeks numbers so 9 really did drop the ball on this one.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
why was this game on GEM? Nine really dropped the ball on this one, should have been on the main channel. I had Nine on ready for it but lots of casual viewers wouldn't have even known the game was on, let alone a 5.30pm kick off (which I actually like)
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Well said CC!
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Tedesco certainly left his mark.Amazing atmosphere, spine chilling pre amble war cry before the game, great open game of attacking rugby league. Refs to be commended ,players from both sides to be commended, crowd to be applauded ,and International rugby league to be boosted. Been to Wembley for a Challenge Cup final, this atmosphere and singing more than matched that. Now it's up to the RLIF two get off their backsides, and use this as a platform for the growth in the Pacific Islands, and more competition in the Northern Hemisphere.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Tedesco was outstanding last night, clear man of the match. You can tell he has been studying Billy... his getting better every time he plays and elements of Slater are coming into his play. I have been saying it for the best part of a decade.... we need to reduce the length of the NRL season and have more internationals. The positive impact on not only the NRL but rugby league itself will be massive if this was to occur.
Paul
Roar Guru
You don't like Rugby League if you didn't enjoy this game. Some great attack resulted in some excellent tries (none from high kicks) and there's going to be some very sore boys this morning, after some of the hits they wore. The trick now is to weave these games into the NRL season so we can see what the international sides are fully fit and have a larger roster of players to chose from. The issue is getting them together long enough to establish combinations. Perhaps a break along the lines of SOO, but where does it fit in a season that already stretches from March till the end of September?