Australia v Tonga: Pacific Championships Final preview

Australia are expected to win the Pacific Championship final on Saturday, but there can be no room for complacency against a Tonga side out to make history.

The Kangaroos are the hot fancies to lift the trophy, but Tonga showed what they are capable of, when stunning New Zealand to book their spot in the final and now want to finish the job.

Australia v Tonga betting preview

Kangaroos must stay focused

Australia have already beaten Tonga in this tournament, when running out 18-0 winners last month.

However, that game has to be consigned to the history books and there can be no room for complacency when the two sides clash at CommBank Stadium on Saturday.

Tonga will be on a high after beating New Zealand to set up this showdown, and they will have also learnt a lot from the previous clash.

The Kangaroos are well aware that Tonga’s forward pack will be a big threat, and it is something they will need to combat if they are to come out on top.

Tonga are likely to have a size advantage in that area, but Kangaroos star Reuben Cotter said this weekend that he believes they have what it takes to win the forward battle.

Australia head into the match in good form, after beating Tonga to nil and then backing that up with a 22-10 win over New Zealand.

Once again coach Mal Meninga has an embarrassment of riches available to him, and even the loss of Cameron Murray will not hurt them too much.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs skipper is out injured, but either Cotter or Hudson Young are ready to jump in and fill the void.

Tonga out to make history

Tonga stunned the Kiwis last week, as a late field goal by Isaiya Katoa earned them a 25-24 victory, and now they face the ultimate test against the Kangaroos.

Despite their 18-0 defeat last month, the Pacific Islanders took plenty of positives from that performance, and now have revenge on their mind.

Tonga have already stunned the Kangaroos once, beating them 16-12 in New Zealand back in 2019, but a win in Sydney on Saturday would be an even bigger achievement.

They will be backed by a sea of red, with a huge number of Tonga followers set to embark on the CommBank Stadium.

Powerhouse forwards Jason Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake will be crucial for Kristian Woolf’s men, who should also be boosted by the return of Keaon Koloamatangi.

Koloamatangi missed the win over New Zealand, as his partner was giving birth to their child, and will add even more power to an already strong Tonga pack.

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Australia v Tonga odds

Australia - 1.10
Tonga - 7.00

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.