Kangaroos hang on to win Pacific Champs final after gutsy performance from Tonga
The year started with a historic double-header in Las Vegas, then we saw Michael Maguire’s Blues produce an epic comeback to defeat the Maroons, before the Panthers completed an improbable four-peat.
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MATCH CENTRE: Australia Kangaroos vs Tonga live scores, news, teams
But after one of the best years we’ve seen, this was rugby league’s red-letter day as Australia’s sheer brilliance proved too strong for Tonga’s passion as the Kangaroos proved their status as the best team in the world with a 20-14 win to clinch the Pacific Cup.
CommBank Stadium was a sea of red on Sunday as Tongan supporters flooded Parramatta to see their team produce a second upset in as many weeks following their epic win over New Zealand.
The greatest fairy tale of 2024 almost produced a Disney ending with Tonga taking a shock early lead when Sione Katoa finished off some beautiful work on his inside by Isaiya Katoa.
The Kangaroos quickly took control to establish a 20-4 lead, but no one told the Tongan fans or players that it was over, with back-rowers Haumole Olakau’atu and Eliese Katoa crossing to set up a grandstand finish.
“They never stopped fighting, they never stopped trying,” coach Kristian Woolf said, with questions now over whether he will remain in charge once he takes over at the Dolphins.
“We’re only going to get better, and they’re going to get better together so the future is bright.”
They then had to survive a Xavier Coates Superman dive that wasn’t quite as effective as his absurd effort against the Warriors, but they couldn’t take advantage of one final opportunity as the hosts held on to avenge last year’s embarrassing loss to the Kiwis in the final.
‘They just don’t fear Australia anymore’ | 01:05
TOMMY TIME
It’s a good thing Jerry wasn’t around because the Toms were scheming up a storm on Sunday as Dearden and Trbojevic tortured Tonga down both edges.
Dearden has become the main man at the Cowboys and will one day be Queensland’s chief playmaker, and this was his greatest day in green and gold as the five-eighth proved unstoppable with three try assists.
It was his break that got the Kangaroos back on level terms when he set up Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, before be broke through again to set up Tom Trbojevic for his first of the afternoon.
The Sea Eagles superstar had a couple of tries disallowed either side of half-time, but he wouldn’t be denied a third time when Dearden busted a tackle and linked up with Trbojevic who strolled over two minutes into the second half.
“I feel that his confidence has grown over three games,” Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga replied when asked about Dearden.
“It’s his belief that he belongs in this arena and that he belongs in that six jersey. It probably took him three games to get to where he was today, but he was outstanding.”
Tonga’s INTENSE Sipi Tau v Australia | 02:33
RED ARMY
Thank you Tonga for making international rugby league great again.
It started with Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita in 2017 when they decided to represent Tonga at the World Cup, and that gesture sparked a revolution which led to the incredible scenes in Sydney on Sunday.
A thunderous Sipi Tau before the game set the tone for a magical afternoon before Addin Fonua-Blake carried four defenders with his charge from the kick-off.
The hymns were sung proudly and the flags were waved furiously, with most of the 28,728 fans there to see Tonga shock the world.
And they very nearly did it, with Eliesa Katoa dropping one over the line while they had another try ruled out for obstruction.
They’ll learn from those costly errors over the next few years, with their forward pack and a gifted halfback more than enough for them to challenge Australia at the World Cup in a couple of years.
“I think it’s almost become a competition with which city can bring the most red flags,” Taumalolo said.
“I think it’s fair that Sydney had a pass mark from me. To all the Tongans back in Auckland, pick up your game next year.
“Any time we get to represent our country is a massive honour, and we know what the responsibility is when we put on this jersey.”
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