Australia claimed a Pacific Cup double with their women and men each successful the match.
The Kangaroos held off Tonga, who upset title holders New Zealand to achieve the lads’s last, to safe a 20-14 victory whereas Australia’s girls beat New Zealand 24-14.
Manly Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic grabbed two tries because the Kangaroos received the Pacific Cup for the primary time.
Tonga, backed by a sea of followers in pink at Sydney’s Parramatta Stadium, took a shock early lead when Sione Katoa crossed.
However Australia asserted themselves and went 20-4 forward earlier than their opponents fought again.
Haumole Olakau’atu diminished the deficit after getting on the top of a Tuimoala Lolohea grubber kick after which Eliesa Katoa put them inside six factors – however the hosts held on.
Victory for Australia’s girls avenged a 12-6 loss to the Kiwi Ferns in final yr’s last. The Jillaroos’ tries have been scored by Julia Robinson, Isabelle Kelly, Tiana Penitani, Tamika Upton and Tarryn Aiken.
Elsewhere, New Zealand beat Papua New Guinea 54-12 in a play-off to stay within the males’s high tier, whereas Samoa’s girls thumped Papua New Guinea 34-12 to earn promotion to the highest flight.
