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- What: 2024 Rugby League Pacific Championships
- Who: Australia vs. Tonga
- Date: Friday, October 18, 2024
- Location: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia
- Time: 6:10 a.m. ET
The third edition of the Rugby League Pacific Championships, the 2024 Rugby League Pacific Championships, gets started this week with six team’s participating in the men’s tournament. Those teams are divided into groups of three, with the Pacific Cup teams being Australia, New Zealand, and Tonga, and the Pacific Bowl teams being Cook Islands, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea. The event begins on Friday, October 18 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. The first two teams to meet are Australia and Tonga.
In 2023, Fiji defeated Papua New Guinea 32-12 in the Pacific Bowl final, while New Zealand downed Australia 30-0 in the Pacific Cup Final.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said of this year’s event, “This year we have raised the stakes by adding promotion and relegation across the men’s and women’s tournaments so there is a great deal at stake in the Pacific Championships. As the Pacific’s largest sport, Rugby League is fast becoming the language that unifies the region. The Pacific Championships is a powerful showcase and celebration of culture, connecting passionate Rugby League fans in each host city and nation into one pulsating sporting community.”
CommBank Stadium hosts the Pacific Championships finals on Sunday, November 10.
Before we look at the betting odds, picks, and prediction for the Australia vs. Tonga matchup at the 2024 Rugby League Pacific Championships, check out the top Rugby Betting Sites in 2024 and get all our Rugby Betting picks.
2024 Rugby League Pacific Championships: Australia vs. Tonga betting picks
| Teams |  |  |  |
| Tonga | +450 | +392 | +489 |
| Australia | -650 | -667 | -769 |
Australia betting breakdown
Australia enters this event as the No. 1 ranked team in the world; however, the team has seen some shakeups in the lineup for this event as eight players will debut for the Kangaroos. Isaiah Yeo will captain the team, while Harry Grant will serve as vice-captain. Dylan Edwards has replaced James Tedesco as the team’s fullback. Meanwhile, Cam Munster was ruled out due to an injury, resulting in Tom Dearden taking his spot. Mitch Moses also serves as a replacement with Nathan Cleary out with an injury.
Here is the full team lineup for Australia: Dylan Edwards, Xavier Coates, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Tom Trbojevic, Zac Lomax, Tom Dearden, Mitchell Moses, Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Cameron Murray, Isaah Yeo, Matt Burton, Mitch Barnett, Reuben Cotter, Hudson Young, Ben Hunt, Lindsay Smith, Reece Robson, and Bradman Best.
Australia coach Mal Meninga said of the matchup against Tonga, “The last time we played against the Tongans they beat us, way back in 2019. It’s been a long time since the World Cup in 2017 when we last played at Suncorp. We’re coming ready to play and we’ll worry about ourselves.”
Tonga betting breakdown
Tonga is currently ranked fifth in the world behind Australia, New Zealand, England, and Samoa, heading into the 2024 Rugby League Pacific Championships. In 2019, Tonga pulled off a surprise upset win over Australia in a game played in Auckland. However, only five players remain from the Tonga team that won that game: Fonua-Blake, Taumalolo, Tui Lolohea, Siliva Havili and Daniel Tupou. Lolohea is the only player on the team returning from the Super League.
Here is the full roster for Tonga: Lehi Hopoate, Daniel Tupou, Mosese Suli, Paul Alamoti, Sione Katoa, Tuimoala Lolohea, Isaiya Katoa, Addin Fonua-Blake, Siliva Havili, Felise Kaufusi, Haumole Olakau’atu, Eliese Katoa, Jason Taumalolo, Soni Luke, Sitili Tupouniua, Taniela Paseka, Keaon Koloamatangi, Tolutau Koula, Siua Wong, saiah Iongi, and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
Tonga’s star player Jason Taumalolo got some attention in the press ahead of this matchup. He said Tonga has no fear of the Australian team, “Not really, to be honest. They’ve got a great team, but so do we. It’s what we do on Friday that matters the most. Competition at the international level, not just from Australia and Tonga, but also the other nations have definitely improved over the last few years. It makes for a greater game of footy.”
Best bets: 2024 Rugby League Pacific Championships: Australia vs. Tonga
Expect an exciting game between Australia and Tonga on Friday.
The betting pick is Australia to beat Tonga in the opening game of the 2024 Rugby League Pacific Championship.
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