Australia v Tonga betting tips & predictions | Pacific Cup 2024

Australia v Tonga best bets

Pacific Cup 2024: Australia v Tonga preview

Australia are red-hot favourites to beat Tonga in the opening match of the 2024 Pacific Championships on Friday night in Brisbane.

Despite losing 30-0 to New Zealand last November in their most recent outing, the Kangaroos are paying just $1.15 for the win at Bet365. The Tongans are $5.75 outsiders, while the match line is set at a hefty 17.5 points.

These two nations have met only twice, and their most recent clash finished in a famous four-point victory for Tonga at Eden Park in Auckland back in 2019.

Aussie coach Mel Meninga has made several changes since the Kangaroos last took the field. Dylan Edwards will start at fullback, with Xavier Coates on the wing and Zac Lomax making his international debut. Tom Trbojevic lines up in the centres, with Tom Dearden and Mitchell Moses making their Test debuts in the halves.

In the forwards, Pat Carrigan will start in the front row with fellow Queenslander Lindsay Collins, while Blues teammates Angus Crichton and Cameron Murray are named in the second row. Matt Burton, Mitchell Barnett and Hudson Young will all make their international debuts from the bench.

Kristian Woolf has made several changes to his Tongan side after losing their three-match series to England last year. Woolf has named Lehi Hopoate at fullback, Paul Alamoti starts in the centres, and Sitili Tupouniua and Taniela Paseka are set to make their international debuts from the interchange.

Australia v Tonga team lists

Australia

1. Dylan Edwards
2. Xavier Coates
3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
4. Tom Trbojevic
5. Zac Lomax
6. Tom Dearden
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Patrick Carrigan
9. Harry Grant
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
12. Cameron Murray
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Matt Burton
15. Mitchell Barnett
16. Reuben Cotter
17. Hudson Young
18. Ben Hunt
19. Lindsay Smith
20. Reece Robson
21. Bradman Best

Tonga

1. Lehi Hopoate
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Mosese Suli
4. Paul Alamoti
5. Sione Katoa
6. Tuimoala Lolohea
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Siliva Havili
10. Felise Kaufusi
11. Haumole Olakau’atu
12. Eliesa Katoa
13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Soni Luke
15. Sitili Tupouniua
16. Taniela Paseka
17. Keaon Koloamatangi
18. Tolutau Koula
19. Siua Wong
20. Isaiah Iongi
21. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Australia v Tonga betting predictions

Tonga have lost each of their last four matches, while the Kangaroos have won eight of their past nine. With several new faces in the Aussie squad, they could struggle to put together combinations, so there is great value in the $3.45 quote for the Kangaroos to win by 12 points or less.

Cowboy Tom Dearden was named at five-eighth in the Dally M Team of the Year following an incredible NRL 2024 season that included nine tries from countless line breaks and tackle breaks. Against a Tongan side with young half Isaiya Katoa and the new defensive players around him, there is more great value on offer for Dearden to score a try at $3.15 with top rugby league bookies.

Not only are there new combinations across the park for the Kangaroos, but also for Tonga. In their first hit-out for the Pacific Championships, points could be hard to come by as teams sort out their attacking structures. Expect this to be a low-scoring affair with less than 47.5 points scored, which is paying $1.90 with Marantelli Bet.

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