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Australia vs Tonga Tips - Tonga to keep Pacific Championship Final competitive

Ryan Tucker

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Last updated: 07 Nov 2024

Ryan Tucker 07 Nov 2024

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Australia Kangaroos vs Tonga XIII expert predictions for Sunday’s Pacific Championships Final
Australia previously won 18-0 against Tonga
Tonga's strong performance included 81 tackle busts

Expired

Can Tonga take it to the Kangaroos? (Getty)

Australia vs Tonga Predictions

Australia won 18-0 against Tonga in the opening game of the Pacific Championship and it was much closer than expected pre-game. I'm backing a similar scenario in Sunday's final with Tonga to cover with the +18.5 start.

Australia vs Tonga Predictions
Head to Head
Australia Form
Australia Team News
Australia Kangaroos Team List
Tonga Form
Tonga Team News
Tonga Team List

Tonga ran for 1588 metres and completed 32 of 35 sets in a 25-24 win over New Zealand last weekend to reach the final.
Australia made 16 errors against Tonga in round 1 together with 12 against New Zealand in round 2, the highest combined total of all three teams.
Tonga topped the division in Tackle Busts with a combined total of 81 over their two games.
Dating back to the 2010 season and excluding World Cup Games Australia have kept a team to nil in only 3 of 32 games played.

Head to Head

Australia beat Tonga 18-0 in their most recent matchup in Round 1 of the 2024 Pacific Championships

Australia Form

The Aussies went 2-0 through the pool stage of the Pacific Championships but it was no easy feat.

They were turned away multiple times on the goal line of the Tongans in game 1 with only one of their three tries realistically being because of their game play.

In their game against New Zealand they were able to convert more chances but were dominated in Possession and Territory by their opponent being held to only 1427 Run Metres.

Errors have plagued the Aussies this tournament and they come into the final having the most combined mishaps of all three teams with 28.

What has been solid for the Kangaroos is their goal line defence. They have allowed only 10 points in two games with their opposition having 71 Tackles inside their 20m zone, something Mal Meninga will be reminding them of come game time.

Australia Team News

Big injury news for the Kangaroos with Cam Murray being ruled out through injury. Hudson Young takes his place in the backrow with Lindsay Smith coming onto the bench to fill the gap.

Australia Kangaroos Team List

1. Dylan Edwards

2. Xavier Coates

3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

4. Tom Trbojevic

5. Zac Lomax

6. Tom Dearden

7. Mitchell Moses

8. Patrick Carrigan

9. Harry Grant

10. Lindsay Collins

11. Angus Crichton

12. Hudson Young

13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange

14. Matt Burton

15. Mitch Barnett

16. Reuben Cotter

17. Lindsay Smith

Reserves

18. Ben Hunt

19. Bradman Best

20. Reece Robson

Tonga Form

Some individual clutch brilliance from Isaiya Katoa led the Tongans to a 25-24 victory over the Kiwis last weekend booking this team a spot in the final against Australia.

Following a 18-0 shutout against the Aussies in game 1 there were some bright spots for the Tonga team to take into game 2 against New Zealand. The forwards were breaking tackles at a high rate with the team having the most Tackle Busts of all three squads at the completion of the group stage.

The Kicking of Katoa was also spectacular, getting out of danger or attacking the line he kept the defence guessing having a try disallowed off a kick in the game against Australia.

What led them to the win over New Zealand was their resilience. Despite scoring only one point in the second half they held out a fast finishing Kiwi team when it mattered to ensure they had a chance when the time came.

Tonga Team News

Tonga have named an unchanged side from the win last week over the Kiwis. Siua Wong has at least for now, kept his spot in the side following Keaon Koloamatangi’s return from the birth of a new baby.

Tonga Team List

1. Lehi Hopoate

2. Daniel Tupou

3. Moses Suli

4. Paul Alamoti

5. Sione Katoa

6. Tuimoala Lolohea

7. Isaiya Katoa

8. Addin Fonua-Blake

9. Siliva Havili

10. Felise Kaufusi

11. Haumole Olakau’atu

12. Eli Katoa

13. Jason Taumalolo

Interchange

14. Soni Luke

15. Sitili Tupouniua

16. Taniela Paseka

17. Siua Wong

Reserves

18. Tolutau Koula

19. Keaon Koloamatangi

20. Isaiah Iongi

21. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Verdict

Australia Kangaroos v Tonga XIII

Tonga can put some points on the board this time against Australia and that can bring the margin all the more closer.

Tonga +18.5

Line

@9/10 - 2 Units

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Under 42.5

Game Total

@9/10 - 1 Unit

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Daniel Tupou

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Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

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