Australia demonstrated a relentless determination to surge ahead and fend off Tonga in a hard-fought 20-14 victory in the Pacific Cup final. The match, held at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, saw a crowd of 28,728 predominantly pro-Tongan supporters witness the Kangaroos' redemption after their historic defeat against New Zealand last year. Under the leadership of five-eighth Tom Dearden and bolstered by a two-try performance from Tom Trbojevic, Mal Meninga's team showcased a composed and mature approach, capitalizing on Tonga's mistakes to secure the win.
Tonga, coming off a recent upset win over the Kiwis, threatened to stage another shocker when they scored with just seven minutes remaining, narrowing the gap to six points. However, Kristian Woolf's team failed to maintain the same level of composure as their Australian counterparts, who had taken an early lead. Halfback Isaiya Katoa orchestrated his team's opening score, maneuvering across the field to set up Sione Katoa, whose effort sent the Tongan crowd into a frenzy. The missed conversion by the Tongan No 7 provided Australia with an opportunity to respond.
A last-tackle bomb was seized by Trbojevic, and the Kangaroos swiftly advanced up the field, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scoring in the corner. After Tonga winger Daniel Tupou had a try disallowed for obstruction, the Kangaroos regained their composure and extended their lead when Lehi Hopoate was dragged into his own in-goal area. On the subsequent set, Australia shifted to the left, with Dearden's lively play finding Xavier Coates in the corner.
Dearden's ingenuity was pivotal in Australia's next try, as the North Queensland Cowboys playmaker navigated through Taniela Paseka and Soni Luke in the midfield. Trbojevic, backing up in support, scored under the posts. Despite Tonga's resilient defense in the final two minutes of the first half, which limited the Kangaroos' lead to 14-4, any hope of a Tongan comeback was swiftly extinguished when centre Paul Alamoti suffered a dislocated elbow. Recognizing Alamoti's vulnerability, Dearden exploited the gap to send Trbojevic in for his second try.
Australia appeared poised to run away with the game until Tui Lolohea delivered a well-weighted in-goal grubber, which was touched down by Haumole Olakau'atu. Trailing by 10 points with 20 minutes remaining, Tonga resorted to brute strength in an attempt to breach the Australian defense. Eli Katoa's try in the 73rd minute reduced the Kangaroos' lead to six points, but Tonga could not deliver the final blow to force the game into golden point.
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