Hammer blow: Aussie star sizzles in Kangaroos shut-out... but ...

Australian centres Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Trbojevic starred as a rusty Kangaroos outfit beat a brave Tonga side 18-0 in their Pacific Championships opener at Suncorp Stadium.

It was an underwhelming start to the tournament for the Kangaroos, with plenty of room for improvement according to Corey Parker.

“They’re a work in progress,” Parker said.

MATCH CENTRE: Australia vs Tonga teams, live scores, videos, updates

Watch every game of the 2024 Pacific Championships with expert analysis LIVE with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

“You can well and truly see that they’ve only spent a short amount of time together.

“It’s a new spine, they’re trying to get some combinations (going) and some cohesion.

“They defended very well… but with the ball, 16 errors and only completed at 65 per cent.

“Underwhelming. I’m not sure what to think of that. Defensively, I was very excited with what I saw – the passion and commitment – but with the ball they’ve got some work to do.”

Tabuai-Fidow was a highlight for the Aussies finishing with 133 metres, three tackle busts and a try, while Trbojevic finished with 211 metres, three tackle busts, a linebreak assist, a try assist and a try in a superb return to Test footy.

Tom Dearden also scored on debut, finishing with 69 run metres, five tackle busts, a linebreak and a four-pointer on the bell.

It was a mixed bag from Australia’s new halfback Mitchell Moses, who looked rusty after a long lay-off and his kicking game was below its best.

However, it was also a frustrating night for Tonga halves Isaiya Katoa and Tuimoala Lolohea, who were guilty of two kick-offs out on the full and five 20 metre restarts from their poor kicking game.

Lehi Hopoate had a mixed bag on debut, after he was sin-binned despite running for 140 metres from the back and surely clubmate Tolutau Koula will come into contention for their clash with the Kiwis in a fortnight.

A spine tingling Sipi Tau from Tonga set the scene for a mouth-watering battle.

Haumaole Olakau’atu came up with a bone rattling hit on Lindsay Collins as Tonga had all the running early.

But against the run of play Tom Trbojevic pounced with a freak intercept of Tuimoala Lolohea’s pass and raced away to score a 65 metre try.

Australia completed just 10 sets in a sloppy first half with a missed field goal form Zac Lomax on the bell making it 6-0 at half-time.

Tabuai-Fidow backed up his strong defence with a brilliant slicing run down the left edge to beat multiple Tongan defenders including Paul Alamoti to score.

Tongan fullback Lehi Hopoate was sin-binned for a professional foul after a break from Cameron Murray and a snipe from Harry Grant off the ensuing tackle, allowing Lomax to make it 14-0.

Keaon Koloamatangi looked to have pounced on a kick form Lolohea to score but the Bunker denied him after replays showed a knock-on in the put down.

Dearden produced a brilliant show and go to score on debut and seal a 18-0 victory for the Kangaroos over a brave Tongan outfit.

RELIVE THE ACTION IN OUR BLOG BELOW. CAN’T SEE IT? CLICK HERE.

MATCH PREVIEW

Isaah Yeo will captain a new look Australian Kangaroos side featuring six debutants for their Pacific Championships opener against Tonga at Suncorp Stadium.

Both sides are 1-17 with Ben Hunt Australia’s 18th man and Tolu Koula the reserve for Tonga.

Dylan Edwards will debut at fullback, with a rookie halves combination of Tom Dearden and Mitchell Moses with the old guard of James Tedesco and Daly Cherry-Evans dropped and Cameron Munster injured.

Australia also boast a rookie wing pair of Xavier Coates and Zac Lomax, while bench forwards Mitch Barnett and Hudson Young also make their kangaroos bows.

For Tonga Panthers grand final hero Paul Alamoti has been handed his Test debut while Manly pair Lehi Hopoate and Taniela Paseka make their first appearance for their country.

Huddersfield’s Tui Lolohea is the only member of the squad returning from the Super League and joins Dolphins gun Isaiya Katoa in the halves.

The last time these two sides met Tonga beat the Kangaroos for the very first time in their history in a 16-12 boilover.

Given each team only has two games before the finals, every match counts so both sides will be desperate for a victory to open their campaigns.

TEAMS

Kangaroos team: 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. Cameron Murray 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Matt Burton 15. Mitch Barnett 16. Reuben Cotter 17. Hudson Young. 18th man: 18. Ben Hunt

Tonga team: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Daniel Tupou 3 Mosese 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. Eliese Katoa 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Soni Luke 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Taniela Paseka 17. Keaon Koloamatangi. 18th man: 18. Tolutau Koula