TONGA PUT TO TEST Roos provide big challenge
RUGBY LEAGUE: Everywhere I’ve gone this week people have asked me the same question: “Did you see the try that Sione Katoa scored against the Great Britain Lions last weekend?”
If you haven’t seen the try, it’s worth checking it out on YouTube, the ball passed through no fewer than 13 pairs of hands before Michael Jennings kicked ahead for Katoa to score.
While Tonga Invitational showed they can score a try from anywhere, it was their composure under pressure which would have pleased their coach the most.
The Tongan side came up with 12 errors and 46 missed tackles but still managed to get the job done, albeit against an underwhelming Great Britain side.
Tonga have now managed wins over tier one nations New Zealand and Great Britain and will be gunning to add Australia to their list of scalps at Eden Park this afternoon.
On the other side of the coin, Australia were clinical against New Zealand on Friday night in Wollongong.
Mal Meninga’s men controlled the game from the outset and never looked in danger against, again, an underwhelming Kiwi side.
There’s no question where the Tongan Invitational side’s strength lies and that’s in their pack.
Andrew Fifita, Siosiua Taukeiaho and Jason Taumalolo
will be called on to lead the way for Tonga Invitational but it’s imperative that when their bench men get out there, they have an impact as well.
Addin Fonua-Blake and John Asiata have both had strong seasons in the NRL but they’ll be coming up against one of the best Australian packs and benches that I’ve ever seen.
Josh Papaali, David Klemmer and Tyson Frizell were outstanding in the opening 20 minutes last week while Payne Haas was sublime off the bench on debut.
If the Tongan Invitational side don’t hold their own in the middle then it could get very ugly, very quickly for them.
Looking at both sides there’s no question Australia’s biggest strength is their halves.
Take nothing away from Tui Lolohea and Ata Hingano who have always given their all for the Tongan jersey, but they aren’t on the same level as Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Munster.
Cherry-Evans’s form in 2019 has been outstanding and he’s relished the extra responsibility that Meninga has given him to control this side.
The Kangaroos won’t give away as much ball as Great
Britain did last weekend but when the Tongan Invitational side get their chances they’ve got to take them.
It sounds like a contradiction but they need to be disciplined with their ad-lib footy. That means they need to pick and choose the right moment to slip an offload and when to take the ball to ground.
While I expect Australia to win this game, it’s imperative for not only Tongan Invitational but also for international rugby league as well that it’s a competitive game.
The key for Tonga Invitational is to compete for the full 80 minutes. Should they fall behind by a try or two it’s crucial they don’t drop their heads.
And if they find themselves in front, then they need to find the composure they displayed against the Great Britain last weekend.
Here’s hoping that we’re rushing to YouTube tomorrow morning to watch another miracle try from either the Tonga Invitational side or the Australians.
Don’t miss Australia v Tonga Invitational on Saturday at 4.40pm LIVE, adbreak free during play and in HD on FOX LEAGUE and streamed on Foxtel Now. Sign up at Foxtel.com