Overview

• Australia's victory marked a strong start to the Pacific Championships, avoiding consecutive Test losses.
• The match drew a crowd of 33,000 at Suncorp Stadium, highlighting significant interest in international rugby league.
• Tom Trbojevic's intercept try gave Australia a crucial lead, despite Tonga's early dominance in possession.
• Tongan halfback Isaiya Katoa struggled with kicking accuracy, impacting Tonga's offensive opportunities.
• Australia's team featured six debutants, including Mitch Moses and Tom Dearden, who both made notable contributions.