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Australia Kangaroos vs Tonga XIII Tips - Tonga to keep it much closer in the final covering the large line on offer

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Last updated: 06 Nov 2024
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Ryan Tucker 06 Nov 2024
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  • Australia Kangaroos vs Tonga XIII expert predictions for Sunday’s Round Pacific Championships NRL game
  • Kick off is at 4:05 PM at Commbank Stadium
  • Australia won the initial match 18-0, but it was closely contested.
  • Tonga showed strong performance, defeating New Zealand 25-24 to reach the final.
  • Australia has struggled with errors; their strong defense remains a key strength.
Ryan gives his picks and reasoning why Tonga will cover the line.

Australia Kangaroos vs Tonga XIII, Pacific Championships 2024 - Expert Prediction


The 2024 Pacific Championships Final will be a rematch of the Round 1 game between Australia and Tonga with the Tongans expected to cover the large line on offer. 
  • Australia Kangaroos vs Tonga XIII, Pacific Championships 2024 - Expert Prediction
  • Head to Head 
  • Australia Kangaroos Form Analysis
  • Australia Kangaroos Team News
  • Australia Kangaroos Team List
  • Tonga XIII Form Analysis
  • Tonga XIII Team News
  • Tonga XIII Team List
  • Australia Kangaroos vs Tonga XIII 2024 Pacific Championships FAQ’s

It was an 18-0 victory to the Australian team in the first matchup between these nations which kicked off the 2024 Pacific Championships. The game though was much closer than the scoreline indicated.   

The first Australian try and only score in the first half came from an intercept with both teams prioritising defence. The Aussies were held up over the line a few times in the game with the Tongans even holding out their opponents with one man in the bin. A kick-chase try was taken off the 12-men Tongans with 15 minutes remaining following a knock on by Koloamatangi in the in-goal while the final Aussie try came with only 90 seconds left on the clock and with the game out of reach for the red and white. 

In my opinion this game could have been much higher scoring and the Tongans were unlucky to not post a couple tries throughout the match considering their 33 tackles inside the 20m zone of the Kangaroos. 

The difference in Run Metres in game 1 was significant with Australia gaining 1688 on 36 sets and Tonga 1327 on 42 sets but in the context of the game the significance was outweighed by strong kicking by Isaiya Katoa. 

Tonga are almost guaranteed to put some points on the board this time around bringing this margin all the more closer. Daniel Tupou is the highest scoring Tongan through history but is yet to cross for a try in this tournament. Need to back him in for the final!

  • 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 Kangaroos Form Analysis


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 Kangaroos 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 XIII Form Analysis


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 1 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 XIII 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 XIII 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

Australia Kangaroos vs Tonga XIII 2024 Pacific Championships FAQ’s

How to watch Australia Kangaroos vs Tonga XIII 2024 Pacific Championships?

The Pacific Cup will broadcast on free to air TV on Channel 9 while viewers can also catch the game via Fox League or a Kayo subscription. 

Verdict

Tonga are almost guaranteed to put some points on the board this time around bringing this margin all the more closer. Daniel Tupou is the highest scoring Tongan through history but is yet to cross for a try in this tournament. Need to back him in for the final!
Best Bet1: Tonga +18.5 Line $1.90 at dabble - 2 Units
Best Bet2: Under 42.50 Game Total $1.90 at dabble - 1 Unit
Best Bet3: D Tupou Anytime Tryscorer $3.25 at dabble - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: H Tabuai-Fidow Anytime Tryscorer $2.10 at dabble - 1 Unit
Tonga +18.5
Line
$1.90 - 2 Units
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Under 42.50
Game Total
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D Tupou
Anytime Tryscorer
$3.25 - 1 Unit
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H Tabuai-Fidow
Anytime Tryscorer
$2.10 - 1 Unit
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with referral code BETSAU

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Australia Kangaroos v Tonga XIII