Rugby League: Six set for Kangaroos debuts

Mal Meninga has handed debuts to six players as the Kangaroos prepare to face Tonga in their opening Pacific Championships Cup clash.

The Australia coach made sweeping changes to his squad in light of the defeat to New Zealand in the final last year.

The starting side now has a fresh look to it, with four debutantes in the 13, while two more are on the bench.

Despite the changes, the side still looks extremely strong, highlighting the embarrassment of riches that Meninga has available to him.

However the Tonga side does not look too shabby either, with a number of top NRL stars set to figure.

Tonga have stunned the Kangaroos in the past, and will be out to do the same again on Friday night.

. What: Australia v Tonga
. Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
. When: 19:10 (AEST) Friday 18th October, 2024
. How to watch: Channel 9, Foxtel, Kayo
. Odds: Australia 1.15, Tonga 5.50

New-look Kangaroos eye winning start

The Kangaroos will be keen to get their Pacific Championships campaign off to a winning start when they face Tonga at Suncorp Stadium.

Meninga’s new look side have the chance to make a statement from the off, but it will not be easy against a strong Tonga team.

The last time the two sides met was in 2019, when Tonga pulled off a shock 16-12 victory.

Two completely different sides will take to the park in Brisbane, but the Aussies will be aware there can be no room for complacency.

As expected, with no Nathan Cleary due to injury, the Kangaroos will field a new-look halves pairing of Tom Dearden and Mitchell Moses.

Debuts will also be handed to Zac Lomax and Xavier Coates, who will both start on the wings.

Coates and Lomax are both priced at 7.00 to score the first try of the game, and 1.55 to score a try at anytime.

If all goes according to plan, the Kangaroos should run out comfortable winners, and are priced at 1.53 to win by 13+ points.

Tonga out to upset the odds

Tonga have stunned Australia once, and will be out to do the same again at Suncorp.

Kristian Woolf’s side have nothing to lose as the underdogs and can play without fear, making them dangerous opponents.

They can be backed at 13.00 to stun the Kangaroos and win by 1-5 points.

There is plenty of talent in the Tonga side, with players that are capable of hurting Australia.

Sione Katoa is one such player. With 113 appearances and 76 tries for the Cronulla Sharks in the NRL, the winger has done it at the highest level.

Katoa can be backed at 2.45 to score a try at anytime.