Australia beat Tonga after series of errors in tight Test match

A mid-air tackle proved costly and came in for heavy criticism in Tonga’s spirited loss to Australia in their rugby league Test match

Australia has held off an impressive Tongan outfit in a tight, physical Test match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

The Kangaroos were playing their first match since a humiliating 30-0 loss to New Zealand just under 12 months ago and while the hosts didn’t have it all their own way, they did enough to secure an 18-0 win to start this year’s Pacific Championships.

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After a rousing Sipi Tau war dance before kick-off, the Tongan side came in with a much heavier forward pack than Australia and aiming to bring a physical approach to the game.

They did exactly that, while they also showed more than a touch of skill as the Aussies led just 6-0 at halftime thanks to a 12th minute Tom Trbojevic intercept try.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow then grabbed Australia’s second try in the 51st minute and Zac Lomax added two conversions and a penalty to stretch the lead to 14-0.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow celebrates his second-half try. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Tonga had a load of opportunities, with the Mate Ma’a showing they will be no pushovers in this year’s competition.

But some costly errors prevented Tonga getting on the scoreboard, with Tom Dearden crossing for Australia’s third and final try in the 78th minute.

The visitors showed some of their best attacking intent when Lehi Hopoate was sin-binned with 22 minutes remaining.

Two tries went begging when they were a man down, with Australia ultimately running out the match.

Second-rower Sitili Tupouniua also came in for some stinging criticism when he blew some perfect field position for the Tongans just under 10 minutes into the second half.

After a “wonderful set of six”, as described by commentator Dan Ginnane, halfback Isaiya Katoa put up a bomb that was fielded just outside his own tryline by Australian fullback Dylan Edwards.

The crowd loved the Tongan Sipi Tau pre-match war dance. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

But Tupouniua got an unfortunate rush of blood, tackling the Aussie custodian in mid-air to give away a senseless penalty and let the Kangaroos off the hook.

“What a shame that Tupouniua didn’t time it fractionally better,” league great Greg Alexander said.

“All he had to do was wait until Edwards hit the ground, but he just couldn’t control himself.

“He’s just given up 30 metres.

“Absolutely pointless there that tackle to do it mid-air.”

“Gained nothing,” Ginnane replied. “In fact, quite costly.”

Australia turned the ball over from its subsequent set of six before Tonga narrowly missed a 40-20 chance.

The following set, Lomax popped a pass to Xavier Coates who galloped down the field.

Halfback Mitch Moses found Trbojevic, who then hit Tabuai-Fidow out wide and he couldn’t be stopped, brushing off two attempted tackles to score in the corner.

Dylan Edwards getting tackled in the air.

Tonga brought its trademark physicality to the game. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“If you don’t get ‘Hammer’ the first time, you don’t get him,” Alexander yelled.

“Really big moment in a game that’s been hard yakka for Australia for most of it,” Ginnane added.

Hopoate was then sin-binned for a tackle from an off-side position on his own tryline, putting his side under the pump, although Tonga came closest to scoring without its fullback.

A knock on over the line proved their best chance before Dearden grabbed Australia’s third late on.

After the match, the commentators had plenty of admiration for a Tongan side that produced too many errors.

“Australia here, it’s been gift-wrapped for them, really,” Ginnane stated.

“I think this game will certainly get some attention, it’s been a very willing contest.

“And Tonga have been highly impressive in parts, but Australia’s class wins out in the end.”

Australia’s thoughts now turn to next week’s highly anticipated clash with New Zealand in Christchurch, with Tonga’s next fixture also against the Kiwis on November 2.

Originally published as Australia beat Tonga after series of errors in tight Test match