Australia
34
Match Complete
Tonga
16
| J. Tedesco |  | 63 | ||
| 51 |  | T. Lolohea | ||
| 49 | | S. Kata | ||
| V. Holmes |  | 39 | ||
| V. Holmes | | 39 | ||
| 33 | | D. Tupou | ||
| V. Holmes | | 29 | ||
| T. Trbojevic | | 28 | ||
| V. Holmes | | 26 | ||
| V. Holmes | | 25 | ||
| 16 | | S. Taukeiaho | ||
| 15 | | T. P. Junior | ||
| V. Holmes | | 11 | ||
| T. Trbojevic | | 10 | ||
| V. Holmes | | 6 | ||
| D. Cherry-Evans | | 5 |
| 6 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
In their first-ever clash with Australia, will Tonga prove themselves worthy of a tier-one status or will the challenge prove too difficult? Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 5:45pm (AEST).
While Mate Ma’a appear to only getting better, last week’s 26-24 loss to New Zealand has seen many question whether the Kangaroos are set for a steady decline on the international stage.
It was their first game without key quartet Billy Slater, Jonathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith and the Australians appeared to lack any real direction or game plan outside of giving early ball to Latrell Mitchell.
In saying that, the Kangaroos were dominated up front with David Klemmer offering the most impact despite only playing half of the game.
And their big men will have an even greater challenge this week against the ferocious Tongan pack led by outspoken Cronulla prop Andrew Fifita.
Passion is something Mate Ma’a won’t be lacking on Saturday night as they finally get their chance to prove themselves on the international stage against the Kangaroos.
Tonga almost qualified for an unlikely World Cup final against the Australians last year, only to suffer a two-point loss to England in the semi-finals.
With Jason Taumalolo, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Addin Fonua-Blake and Tevita Pangai Junior joining Andrew Fifita up front, the Kangaroos appear vulnerable through the middle.
However, it will be interesting to see if inexperienced halves pairing Tui Lolohea and Ata Hingano will be able to take opportunities when they come.
Prediction
Despite having the advantage up front, Tonga’s spine has nowhere near the talent or experience that the Kangaroos have.
Australia by eight.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 5:45pm (AEST).
Game info
Kick-off: 5:45pm (AEDT)
Venue: Mt. Smart Stadium
TV: Live, Nine Network, Fox League
Online: 9Now, Foxtel Go, Foxtel Now
Betting: Australia $1.30, Tonga $3.55
Overall record: Never played before
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Australia
1. James Tedesco 2. Dane Gagai 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Luke Keary 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. David Klemmer 9. Damien Cook 10. Jordan McLean 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Felise Kaufusi 13. Josh Mcguire 14. Ben Hunt 15. Jake Trbojevic 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Aaron Woods 18. Tyrone Peachey 19. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Tonga
1. William Hopoate 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Solomone Kata 5. David Fusitua 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Ata Hingano 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Siliva Havili 10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 11. Tevita Pangai Junior 12. Sika Manu 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Sione Katoa 15. Addin Fonua-blake 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Peni Terepo 18. Konrad Hurrell 19. Leivaha Pulu 20. Robert Jennings 21. Ben Murdoch-Masila
Emcie
Roar Guru
What kind of genuine utility can only cover 3 spots? Halves like DCE, Munster and Morgan have worked in the past as utilities because they can cover the spine, the back line and second row (where they've traditionally been inserted if not needed for injury). So Hunt's not there to cover injury. But if he's there for impact then why take him off with ten to go aginst tired bodies? Dedicating a spot on the bench purely to give your starting 9 a 20min rest seems completely redundant, especially one that's survived an entire origin campaign playing the full 80 every game
farqueue
Roar Rookie
So being able to cover 3 of the 4 most important positions in the game isn't being a utility... brilliant stuff... please give us some more insights.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Wow, great game of footy and that’s the best you can come up with
Emcie
Roar Guru
Can't remember Smith ever having a rest in a serious game. And hunts no utility, he only covers 6 (at a stretch), 7 or 9 and if he finds himself in the halves something has seriously gone wrong
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
Even Cameron Smith needed a rest from time to time, who ever they picked probably would have had a hard time playing the full 80. Dedicating 2 spots to the 9 position would have been picking another hooker on the bench, not a utility. Could have been an easy night where Cook played 80 and Hunt came on as a third half to carve up, but they weren't playing France tonight...
Zozza
Guest
Jennings had a shocker.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Why select him if there's doubts he can handle the workload? Dedicating two spots to the number nine position seems like a waste
Kris Swales
Expert
Too much dropped ball from Tonga in the first half proved the difference. Their halves were also responsible for most of our tries with poor reads and sloppy D, though they did warm to the task with the ball late. TPJ is fun to watch. Teddy clear MOTM. Bring on Kiwis v Poms!
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
In the NRL, yeah, but defending in the middle against that Tongan pack might be a different story...
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
FULL TIME - Australia 34 defeat Tonga 16 Australia answer their critics with an 18-point win over a determined Tonga side who kept on trying. James Tedesco a clear man-of-the-match for mine. Tonga's pack was immense but they lacked experience and execution in attack. What did you make of that Roarers?
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
80' - Tonga drop the ball and that will be all here at Mt Smart. AUSTRALIA - 34 TONGA - 16
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
79' - AUSTRALIA SIN BIN DAMIEN COOK Valentine Holmes up to the 40 before Jake Trbojevic works it over halfway. Aaron Woods into the Tonga half and he drops the ball. Tonga with one final chance to send their fans away cheering. David Fusitua bursts through and James Tedesco, who, again, has been incredible, comes up with a pearler of a tackle. Damien Cook holds him down and is binned. AUSTRALIA - 34 TONGA - 16
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Woods nearly got through 80 without a brain explosion. Baby steps.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
78' - Australia 20 out on the last after a slicing run by James Tedesco. Daly Cherry-Evans with the grubber but William Hopoate pounces on it and Tonga work it out from inside their own half. Just under three minutes to go. Tuimoala Lolohea rushes a kick on the last and Tedesco is under it, he brings it back to the 30. AUSTRALIA - 34 TONGA - 16
Emcie
Roar Guru
Cooks back on? Why replace him in the first place? The guy can play for 80
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
76' - Addin Fonua-blake up to the 30 on the first play before Andrew Fifita works it up to the 20, no offload this time. Fonua-blake with another carry before a shift right sees Jason Taumalolo swarmed on and pulled up 10 out. Daly Cherry-Evans or Damien Cook looks to have knocked down the Tonga offload there but the play continues, Australia have it back and they get a penalty too on the following play. AUSTRALIA - 34 TONGA - 16
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
74' - Addin Fonua-blake and Jason Taumalolo with the first runs of this set and Tonga are just 15 out now. Andrew Fifita sends it to Tevita Pangai Junior who offloads for Solomone Kata and they've lost ground but are still in a similar position. Australia still standing tall in defence though. Sione Katoa stabs through the grubber and James Tedesco grounds it. AUSTRALIA - 34 TONGA - 16
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Just over 26,000 - not sure of the official number yet.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
73' - They tap. Jason Taumalolo with the first run before Siliva Havili gives a crash ball to Addin Fonua-blake who is wrapped up five out. Tevita Pangai Junior offloads and Tonga spread it left and Andrew Fifita surges towards the line before being denied. Tuimoala Lolohea now kicks through a loose ball - it hits the post - James Tedesco, who has been brilliant, saves it before being dragged in-goal. AUSTRALIA - 34 TONGA - 16
drazen miljanovic
Guest
official crowd number