AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Australia crushed the hopes of a nation — and its watching king — when it beat Tonga 34-16 Saturday in their first rugby league test encounter. Reality set in when try scoring doubles by Tom Trbojevic and Valentine Holmes gave Australia a 30-10 lead by halftime. Tonga struck back with a try to Tevita Pangai Junior but Australia surged further ahead with tries to Trbojevic and Valentine Holmes. A try to Daniel Tupou kept Tonga in the match, though Australia ended the first half clearly on top with a second try to Holmes. ——Australia 34 (Tom Trbojevic 2, Valentine Holmes 2, Daly Cherry-Evans, James Tedesco tries; Valentine Holmes 5 goals), Tonga 16 (Tevita Pangai Junior, Daniel Tupou, Solomone Kata tries; Sio Siua Taukaiaho 2 goals).

Source: National Post October 20, 2018 09:22 UTC