Pacific Championships 2024 as it happened: Kangaroos secure victory against Tonga, Jillaroos put 84 points on PNG

That’s full-time of the Pacific Championships, where the Kangaroos have secured a 18-0 win over Tonga.

Tom Trbojevic was the first to crack open the Tongan defence, with an intercept try in the 12th minute, before Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Dearden added to the tally.

Tonga were in the contest for the full 80 minutes, even when young fullback Lehi Hopoate was sent to the sin bin. But the Kangaroos goal-line defence proved too good for Tonga tonight.

Earlier, the Jillaroos had an 84-0 victory over Papua New Guinea, with winger Julia Robinson scoring six of Australia’s 17 tries, while Jakiya Whitfeld scored five.

With 70 seconds left on the clock, Tom Dearden runs the ball and scores a try in the right corner.

That’s a try on debut for Dearden, and secures a healthy victory for the Kangaroos.

Australia 18, Tonga 0

We’re inside the final five minutes at Suncorp Stadium, and Tonga are still hunting their first points.

They’re so close, but another from Keon Koloamatangi, this time a forward pass to Felise Kaufusi.

The Kangaroos are let off the hook and get a scrum feed in front of their posts. Looks like they’ll hold on this time.

Kangaroos 14, Tonga 0 with four minutes to go

Tonga score with 12 men on the field, and the contest is very much alive at Suncorp Stadium with just under 15 minutes to go.

But the bunker decides to take a second look, and the replay shows Keon Koloamatangi knocks the ball on while he’s trying to ground it.

They might not have points, but that’s impressive stuff from Tonga considering they’re a man down.

Kangaroos 14, Tonga 0 with 14 minutes to go

Uh oh, Isaiya Katoa has his second incorrect restart of the night.

Australia gets the ball back on Tonga’s 20-metre line and have an extra man on the field, but they’re unable to find points.

Kangaroos 14, Tonga 0 with 18 minutes to go

Oh no, Lehi Hopoate saves a Harry Grant try, but he goes to the bin in the process.

Grant went for a quick play-the-ball, and Hopoate tackles Grant before he bothered to get back on side.

Hopoate just couldn’t help himself, but it will likely be costly. The game has been so close, but even just one more try could be enough to seal the deal for the Kangaroos.

Australia opt to take the penalty kick to push out their lead.

Kangaroos 14, Tonga 0 with 20 minutes to go

Australia are starting to get a little more adventurous with their attack now they have a 12-point buffer.

They’re spreading the ball a lot more and are trying to find space down the touch lines again — searching for cracks and openings in the Tongan defence.

Kangaroos 12, Tonga 0 with 24 minutes to go

Finally, someone has broken through to crack this game open, and of course it’s Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

The Hammer gets past Paul Alamoti down the left touch line and fends off Lehi Hopoate and Sione Katoa. He uses perfect precision to place the ball down and find some more points for the Kangaroos.

Zac Lomax nails the kick from the sideline to make it two converted tries the difference.

Kangaroos 12, Tonga 0 with 26 minutes to go

Tom Trbojevic surges over the line, but he’s held up by Sea Eagles teammate Lehi Hopoate and Tuimoala Lolohea.

A very impressive scramble from the Tongan duo – Trbojevic looked certain to score his second try of the night.

Kangaroos 6, Tonga 0 with 34 minutes to go

We’re down to the final 40 minutes at Suncorp Stadium.

The Kangaroos start with the ball, and Isaah Yeo earns a penalty straight away.

Something to note – the Kangaroos completion rate is terrible. They’ve completing at just 58 per cent, and lucky Tonga haven’t yet capitalised on all their errors.