The Vaine Moana led for most of the first half but could not hold off a strong Tonga finish, going down 36-24 at St Marys Stadium in Sydney on Saturday.
Ava Glassie and Anastasia Sekene each scored twice as the Moana went to half-time 20-10 ahead. Tonga took control after the break, outscoring the Moana 26-4 in the second half, with second-rower China Polata scoring a double.
Maruia Willie also scored off the bench. Tyler Birch and Kere Matua shared the goal-kicking.
Moana team
Kiana Takairangi, Ava Glassie, Anastasia Sekene, Tyler Birch, Tiare-Anne Leauga, Lydia Turua-Quedley, Memory Paitai, Porche John, Pearl Tuitama, Ashley Marsters, Keira Rangi, Maeva Atatoa-Carr, Roimata Amosa-Tiro. Interchange: Jodeci Joseph, April Ngatupuna, Kere Matua, Maruia Willie. Reserve: Akeliana-Faith Leauga. Coach: Shar Atai.
Both nations funded the match themselves to keep their women’s programmes playing international football while the Pacific Championships pause for the World Cup. It was a rematch of last year’s Pacific Bowl decider, which the Moana won 42-24.
