SYDNEY (AP) — Tom Trbojevic and Tom Deardon combined for tries either side of halftime, leading Australia to a 20-14 victory over Tonga in the Pacific Rugby League Championship final on Sunday .

Trbojevic scored on Deardon’s breaks in the 36th and 43rd minutes as the Kangaroos took control of the game after being rocked when Tonga scored first after just seven minutes.

Parramatta Stadium in western Sydney was dyed red by the flags and clothing of the majority looking and sounding Tongan fans, making the final almost a home game for Mate Ma’a Tonga, the team from Tonga. The stadium resonated throughout the game with their cheers and singing.

Sione Katoa’s try after seven minutes infuriated the Tongan fans. But Australia fought back in the match and Trbojevic’s double helped the Kangaroos take a 14-4 lead at halftime, and then a 20-4 lead immediately afterwards.

The big winger also had two attempts disallowed, the first in the 38th minute when he was held on the line and again in the 48th minute for a forward pass.

After Katoa scored with an athletic dive into the right corner, Australia equalized through Hamiso Tabua-Fidow, who finished the Kangaroos’ first with similar gusto.

Tonga came close in the 23rd minute, but Daniel Tupou fumbled the ball over the goal line.

Deardon was involved in a 27th minute try for Xavier Coates as Australia attacked in the final innings, then Trbojevic and Deardon turned the match towards Australia. Deardon broke the defensive line and connected inside with Trbojevic for the first, then Deardon ran on a pass from Harry Grant and fed Trbojevic near the line.

Tonga looked stretched but recovered magnificently to score through Haumole Olakau’atu in the 58th minute and bring their fans back to life.

After Soni Luke lost the ball near the line in the 71st minute, Eli Katoa burst in to cut Australia’s lead to six points with seven minutes remaining.

Coates came close to making a spectacular second attempt in the 79th minute, but lost the ball in an extravagant shot. Tonga had one last chance but fumbled on their final possession.

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