Australia conquers bold Tonga to win the Pacific Championship final

SYDNEY (AP) — Tom Trbojevic and Tom Deardon combined for tries on either side of halftime which lifted Australia to a 20-14 win over Tonga in the final of rugby league's Pacific Championship on Sunday.

Trbojevic scored off Deardon's breaks in the 36th and 43rd minutes as the Kangaroos took control of the game after being rocked when Tonga scored first after only seven minutes.

The Parramatta Stadium in Sydney's west was colored red by the flags and apparel on Tonga fans who seemed and sounded in the majority, making the final almost a home game for Mate Ma'a Tonga, the Tongan team. The stadium rang throughout the match with their cheers and with their song.

Sione Katoa's try after seven minutes brought the Tonga fans to a fever pitch. But Australia wrestled its way back in the match and Trbojevic's double helped the Kangaroos to a 14-4 lead at halftime, then a 20-4 lead immediately afterwards.

The big winger also had two tries disallowed, the first in the 38th minute when he was held up over the line and again in the 48th minute for a forward pass.

After Katoa scored with an athletic dive into the right corner, Australia equalized through Hamiso Tabua-Fidow who finished the Kangaroo's first with similar elan.

Tonga went close in the 23rd but Daniel Tupou lost the ball over the goal line.

Deardon figured in a try in the 27th minute for Xavier Coates as Australia attacked on the last tackle, then Trbojevic and Deardon swung the match Australia's way. Deardon broke the defensive line and linked on the inside with Trbojevic for the first, then Deardon ran off a Harry Grant pass and fed Trbojevic close to the line.

Tonga looked stretched but rallied superbly to score through Haumole Olakau’atu in the 58th mintue and bring their fans back to life.

After Soni Luke lost the ball near the line in the 71st minute, Eli Katoa barged over to cut Australia's lead to six points with seven minutes remaining.

Coates came close to a spectacular second try in the 79th minute but lost the ball in an extravagant dive. Tonga had one last chance but lost the ball on its final possession.

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