Incredible act of respect from Tongan crowd amazes fans

The historic clash between Australia and Tonga had it all, with over 50 points on the scoreboard, a controversial eight-point try and a near sell-out crowd. But one thing everyone seemed to agree on was the incredible atmosphere produced by the underdog’s fans – and they even produced an incredible moment of respect by singing the Australian national anthem as well. The 26,214 strong crowd at Mt Smart Stadium was an overwhelming sea of red and white, and the infectious harmony they produced had people talking. As Australia held off an inspired Tongan side, rugby league fans took to Twitter to express their utter amazement at the singing that was broadcast for much of the match:

At times, it was difficult to hear the commentators over the blaring chorus – one could only imagine what the players could hear. Australia prevailed 34-16 over a resilient Tongan outfit, but their singing fans would be proud of their efforts regardless – and it certainly didn’t go unnoticed from either side. “What a crowd,” Australian skipper Boyd Cordner said after the match. “It’s all about growing the game and look at this. This is what rugby league is all about, it was a pleasure to play in front of all of you tonight. “It is an experience we haven’t experienced before.” When the post-match commentator noted the Tongan supporters had even sung the Australian national anthem as well, Cordner said it was incredibly humbling.

Tonga fightback falls short against Roos

Kangaroos proved why they are world champions by overcoming a determined second half Tongan push to prevail 34-16 in their historic Test match. The Mate Ma'a were behind by 20 and had forced the Kangaroos into a fourth straight line dropout when the sellout Mt Smart Stadium crowd broke into hymns. And their prayers were answered when Solomone Kata crossed, instantly reviving memories of that near upset of England in their World Cup semi-final last year.However,
that was as close as the rising powerhouse got as James Tedesco restored the Kangaroos' lead in the 64th minute and effectively sealed victory. It was the contest Tonga - led by former Kangaroo Andrew Fifita - had been calling for since just falling short of a World Cup final on the same ground in 2017. And the fans turned out in their droves, with thousands lining up hours before kick-off to produce a sea of red and create a memorable atmosphere in Auckland. Unfortunately for the Tongan throng, their side started slowly.

Kangaroos v Mate Ma'a Tonga preview

For the Kangaroos to win: We wrote in our preview last week that if the Kangaroos' new-look spine clicked that should be enough to get them over the line. It did not, and the highly-impressive Kiwis were good enough to make them pay. It's the same again this week; Tonga will look to blow the Roos away
through the forwards but Australia unquestionably have more class in the playmaking options. However Daly Cherry-Evans, James Tedesco and Damien Cook will all need improvement from last week.For the Mata Ma'a to win: The forward pack is where they can get them. The Kangaroos pack was OK against New Zealand but the Kiwis pack was better. If Taumalolo, Fifita, Taukeiaho, Addin Fonua-Blake, Pangai jnr and co can get a roll on then the Aussies won't be able to dictate how they want to play. If this happens Tonga have enough strike in the backs to capitalise.

Mate Ma’a Tonga v Australia Kangaroos at Mt Smart Stadium, 5.45pm AEST

Tonga: 1. Will Hopoate, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Solomone Kata, 5. David Fusitu’a, 6. Tuimoala Lolohea, 7. Ata Hingano, 8. Andrew Fifita, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Sio Siua Taukaiaho, 11. Tevita Pangai Jr, 12. Sika Manu, 13. Jason Taumalolo

Interchange: 14. Sione Katoa, 15. Addin Fonua-Blake, 16. Joe Ofahengaue, 17. Peni Terepo

Reserves: 18. Konrad Hurrell, 19. Leivaha Pulu, 20. Robert Jennings, 21 Ben Murdoch-Masila

Kangaroos: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Dane Gagai, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Tom Trbojevic, 5. Valentine Holmes, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (vc), 8. David Klemmer, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Boyd Cordner (c), 12. Felise Kaufusi, 13. Josh McGuire

Interchange: 14. Ben Hunt, 15. Jake Trbojevic, 16. Tyson Frizell, 17. Aaron Woods, 18. Tyrone Peachey, 19. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

The talking point: Outspoken Tonga forward Andrew Fifita comes up against his Sharks teammates Valentine Holmes and Aaron Woods after being critical of his club not acknowledging his representative accomplishments with the Mate Ma’a.

The Fox Sports Lab stat: The last time Australia tasted consecutive defeats was against the Kiwis in the 2014 Four Nations final and the 2015 mid-year Test.

The odds (courtesy of Sportsbet): Tonga $3.55, Australia $1.30

Our prediction: Australia by 8

Centre: Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic v Michael Jennings and Solomone Kata

Mitchell finished the year as a grand final and Origin-winning centre and arguably the best in his position in the NRL. Trbojevic was huge on the wing for the Blues and at fullback for Manly but has relatively few starts at centre at the top level.

He made 18 tackles with none missed last week to suggest the increased defensive work won't trouble him but is still feeling his way in attack. Former Kangaroo Jennings remains a world-class centre and had a fantastic 2017 but like plenty of his Eels teammates had a tough 2018. Kata is hard to handle but can still produce worrying defensive reads.

Verdict: the form of Mitchell swings this to the Kangaroos.

Kangaroos v Mate Ma'a Tonga preview

The anticipation for this first-ever meeting between the might of Australia and the emerging power of Tonga is palpable. Neutral fans have been in awe of the passion and intensity frequently on show when the Mate Ma'a have clashed with Toa Samoa in recent years but Tonga's powerful surge into the final four of the last World Cup – and agonising two-point loss to England denying them a berth in the final – convinced everyone it's time for Tonga to get more chances against the 'big three'. No doubt the defections from Australia and New Zealand of stars like Andrew Fifita, Jason Taumalolo, Siosiua
Taukeiaho and David Fusitu'a boosted the little island's strength as a rugby league force and the result now is one of the most impressive forward packs in Test rugby league. Their squad is boosted by the inclusion of veteran and spiritual leader Sika Manu who was in doubt with a knee injury. The only additions to the squad from the team that soundly beat Samoa back in June are Tevita Pangai jnr plus World Cup squad members Ben Murdoch-Masila and Solomone Kata. Manu Ma'u is missing – he has not played since a nasty facial fracture suffered in that very game – and Rabbitohs prop Tevita Tatola is not selected. The Aussies will have few changes from the team that lost to New Zealand on Saturday; Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Tyrone Peachey are the two unused squad members who may get a chance while Mal Meninga will be hoping to have Luke Keary for more than the 16 minutes he got in a concussion-reduced debut.

Kangaroos-Tonga Test already sold out

Australia's historic first rugby league Test against Tonga will attract a sell-out crowd, with the final tickets for the match being sold on Wednesday morning. After less than 13,000 fans attended New Zealand's defeat of the Kangaroos last weekend, the NRL has confirmed the same 30,000-seat stadium is already booked out. "The level of interest in this game has been staggering, so it will be great to see the house full sign up outside Mt Smart Stadium this Saturday," NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said.

"Many people worked very hard to make this game a reality and the result will be no doubt a real highlight for the international game and for the game overall." It follows on from the sold-out crowd of 30,003 for last year's World Cup semi-final between Tonga and England in Auckland. The announcement of the sell out comes after the New Zealand Rugby League were originally coy on hosting the Tonga Test, reportedly amid fears it would overshadow the promotion of their own match.

The one change the Kangaroos must make against Tonga to avoid ugly 40-year first

Defeat against Tonga will deliver Australia their first back-to-back international rugby league defeats in 40 years. And the Kangaroos know a repeat performance of the one against New Zealand last week will also leave them susceptible to one of the biggest upsets in league history. The historic clash with Tonga in Auckland is one of the most fiercely anticipated Tests in years, following Andrew Fifita and Jason Taumalolo's efforts to revolutionise the Mate Ma'a in the past 12 months.

The rejuvenated Tongans showed their potential by reaching the finals of last year's World Cup, but it's not all going according to plan for the Kangaroos. The world champions suffered a humbling 26-24 loss to New Zealand last weekend where they had just 43 per cent of the ball. Australia completed 73 per cent of their sets against the Kiwis in their first match since the retirements of anchors Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk. "The biggest thing for us is just holding the ball," prop Aaron Woods said. "We put ourselves under the pump too much and had to make too many tackles. Walking off at half-time the possession was 69 per cent to 31.

Mate Ma'a Tonga squad to face Australia on the 20th of October

MATE MA'A TONGA SQUAD

AUSTRALIA v TONGA Test Match

20th October 2018 - Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland

Andrew Fifita – Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Addin Fonua-Blake – Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

David Fusitu'a – Warriors

Siliva Havilli – Canberra Raiders

Ata Hingano – Canberra Raiders

Will Hopoate – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Konileti Hurrell – Gold Coast Titans

Michael Jennings – Parramatta Eels

Solomone Kata – Warriors

Sione Katoa – Penrith Panthers

Tuimoala Lolohea – Wests Tigers

Sika Manu – Hull FC

Ben Murdoch-Masilla – Warrington Wolves

Joe Ofahengaue – Brisbane Broncos

Tevita Pangai Junior – Brisbane Broncos

Jason Taumalolo – North Qld Cowboys

Sio Siua Taukeiaho – Sydney Roosters

Peni Terepo – Parramatta Eels

Daniel Tupou – Sydney Roosters