Australia’s Kangaroos defeated Mate Ma’a Tonga 34 – 16 in a hard earned victory at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland, tonight.

The Kangaroos scored five converted tries in the first half to lead Tonga 30 – 10. Mate Ma’a Tonga’s two tries were scored by Tevita Pangai in the 15^th minute and Daniel Tupou in 33rd minute.

The second-half was a different story with Mate Ma’a Tonga dominating possession and territory. Solomone Kata scored a try in the 50^th minute in what appeared to be the beginning of a familiar comeback by Mate Ma’a Tonga.

However, the Kangaroos held out, scoring a try in the 63^rd minute and staunchly defending their territory to holdout Tonga to a 34 -16 victory.

Tonga Try Scorers: Tevita Pangai Jnr, Daniel Tupou, Solomone Kata

Timeline
5^th minute – Tonga 0 – 6 Australia
10^th minute – Tonga 0 - 12  Australia
15^th min – Tonga 6 - 12 Australia (Tevita Pangai Jnr)
25^th min – Tonga 6 – 18 Australia
28^th min –  Tonga 6 –  24 Australia
33^rd min – Tonga 10 - 24 Australia ( Daniel Tupou)
40^th min – Tonga 10 - 30 Australia
HT: Australia 30 – 10 Tonga
50^th min – Aus 30 – 16 (Solomone Kata)
63^rd min – Aus 34 – 16
Fulltime: Australia 34 - 16 Tonga