Opinion: Tonga vs Kangaroos player ratings

OPINION: The Kangaroos came out on top in a historic rugby league test against Tonga on Saturday night, winning 34-16 in Auckland.

The world champions outscored Tonga six tries to three in front of 26,000 fans at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium.

It was the first time the two nations had played each other in a test match, and it was a truly amazing game of rugby league.

Here's how the players rated from both teams in the historic clash.

TONGA

 

Tongan coach Kristian Woolf.
Tongan coach Kristian Woolf. Photo credit: Getty Images

1. Will Hopoate  5

It wasn't the greatest performance from the 2011 Premiership winner. Missed a few tackles which led to tries, but did have a strong running game with 137m. Help set-up Solomone Kata's try in the second half.

2. Daniel Tupou  5

Scored a try and carried the ball well, but wasn't involved in much else.

3. Michael Jennings  4

Some poor decision making from the veteran centre put his team under pressure and killed momentum the team was building.

4. Solomone Kata  6

Scored Tonga's third try off a nice run back in-field to catch the Aussie defenders napping. Ran the ball well, but did have one loose carry, giving the Aussies good field position which they turned into points in the first half.

The Aussies turned a poor attempted offload into points through Holmes. But Kata showed good footwork to beat Keary and Cordner and score the Tongans' third try.

5. David Fusitu'a  7

Led the Tongan backs in run metres, with 139 off 13 carries. As usual, he was outstanding under the high-ball but did make two errors when carrying.

6. Tuimoala Lolohea  8

Was one of Tonga's best out on the park. Helped set-up Tupou's try and was impressive running the ball, while his kicking game was flawless - forcing two dropouts. Showed what he is capable of when given an opportunity in the halves.

Tui Lolohea.
Tui Lolohea. Photo credit: Photosport

7. Ata Hingano  3

Came off injured in the first half with a shoulder injury, but he did deliver the final pass to Tevita Pangai Jr for Tonga's first try.

8. Andrew Fifita  5

Was strong running with the ball as usual, but a couple of sloppy mistakes - one after they had just built some momentum - along with a couple of penalties hindered his performance. Excellent job leading the pre-match Sipi Tau.

9. Siliva Havili  5

Made a couple of handling errors, one of which led to Daly Cherry-Evans' try.

10. Sio Siua Taukaiaho  9

The Roosters prop was Tonga's best out on the park with an outstanding game on both sides of the ball. He ran a game-high 200m and made 23 tackles in 56 minutes. It was good to see his NRL form carried over to the international game.

11. Tevita Pangai Jr  8

Scored Tonga's first try and was involved in the lead up to Tupou's try. He did give away a rare and questionable eight-point try to the Aussies just before half-time. Gave away two penalties.

12. Sika Manu  7

Provided a typical captain's knock. He completed the most tackles for his side, with 38.

13. Jason Taumalolo  8

Another great performance by the former New Zealand international. Did his best to inspire the players from the middle of the park with some powerful runs.

Jason Taumalolo.
Jason Taumalolo. Photo credit: Photosport

Interchange:

14. Sione Katoa  5

Played out of position when he came on for Hingano and did well and forced two dropouts off just two kicks.

15. Addin Fonua-Blake  7

The former Kiwi ran for 155m in only 37 minutes, which is just incredible.

16. Joe Ofahengaue  6

Another Tongan who made quite the impact off the bench, with over 100 running metres. Came close to scoring in the second half.

21. Ben Murdoch-Masila  5

Good impact of the bench. He replaced Peni Terepo in the line-up as he was ruled out just before kick-off.

KANGAROOS

James Tedesco.
James Tedesco. Photo credit: Photosport

1. James Tedesco  9

The fullback was a deserving winner of the man-of-the-match award. The Roosters star made some excellent tackles and led the 'Roos in tackle breaks with 10, and run metres with 171. He set up Trbojevic's first try and scored one of his own in the second half.

2. Dane Gagai  5

Had another quiet night out on the wing. His tackle on Andrew Fifita to dislodge the ball after Tonga scored their first try was a big play. He set up Trbojevic's second try also.

3. Tom Trbojevic  8

Scored a brace of tries and looked much more comfortable playing in an unfamiliar position in the centres.

Tom Trbojevic  scored two tries for Australia.
Tom Trbojevic scored two tries for Australia. Photo credit: Photosport

4. Latrell Mitchell  7

The young centre had another solid game wearing the green and gold. He grew in confidence as the game progressed and made some plays on both sides of the ball.

5. Valentine Holmes  7

The winger had to work hard to score both his tries by stepping in-field past numerous Tongan defenders. Kicked four conversions and a penalty goal for a total haul of 18 points - more than the Tongan team combined.

6. Luke Keary  4

The five-eighth is struggling to find the same form he had during the Roosters' premiership run. His all-round game was off and struggled to make an impact on attack. Made two errors with the ball also.

7. Daly Cherry-Evans  8

He opened the scoring with the game's opening try off a Tonga mistake, and was effective running the ball and also making tackles with a total haul of 35. He was a much-improved player compared to last week's effort against the Kiwis.

Daly Cherry-Evans
Daly Cherry-Evans Photo credit: Photosport

8. David Klemmer  7

Led all Kangaroos forwards with 128 running metres and was a physical force up front.

9. Damien Cook 6

The Bunnies hooker was quiet running the ball for the second consecutive week, but was impactful as ever on defence, making a game-high 42 tackles.  Was sent to the sin-bin late in the match.

10. Jordan McLean  6

A steady performance by the Cowboys enforcer as he was involved in plenty during his 45 minutes on the field.

11. Boyd Cordner (c)  8

The skipper led from the front and provided another classic captain's knock. He made his presence felt with some crunching tackles and strong runs.

12. Felise Kaufusi  6

Like Cherry-Evans, Kaufusi was more impactful against Tonga. Was involved in the lead-up to a couple of tries.

 13. Josh McGuire  7

Held down the middle of the park well during his 52 minutes out on the field, but did make a couple of handling errors.

Interchange:

14. Ben Hunt  4

Didn't make much of an impact during his time out on the paddock, however, his touch finder midway through the second-half was a beauty.

15. Jake Trbojevic  6

A typical Jake Trbojevic-like performance as he got involved in anything and everything. Was the only Aussie forward to run more than 100m off the bench.

16. Tyson Frizell  5

Had little opportunity to do his thing on offence, but was a workhorse on defence.

17. Aaron Woods  5

Made a strong impact running the ball off the bench.

Ben Francis is a digital sports producer for Newshub.