No fear as Tonga eye back-to-back wins over Kangaroos

The sides meet in Brisbane in Friday's Pacific Championships opener, their first encounter since Tonga's famous 16-12 triumph in Auckland five years ago.

Australia are coming off a historic 30-0 drubbing from New Zealand in November's Pacific Cup final.

Not since 2014-15 have Australia lost consecutive Tests to the same nation, when three straight defeats to New Zealand triggered a review that prompted Tim Sheens to step down as coach.

France's back-to-back wins in Australia's 1978 European tour was the last time the Kangaroos had lost two consecutive games to the same team.

But Tonga, at Suncorp Stadium and then New Zealand on October 27 in Christchurch, will get their chance against an Australian side that's responded to that Kiwis loss by naming six debutants in Friday's side.

Papua New Guinea-born Xavier Coates and Zac Lomax are on the wings and Tom Dearden and Mitch Moses will both debut as a new halves pairing.

Hudson Young and Mitch Barnett will come off the bench as the other debutants while coach Mal Meninga has opted for Matt Burton ahead of Ben Hunt as his bench utility.

"Not really to be honest," Taumalolo said when asked if facing the Kangaroos still carried a fear factor.

"They've got a great team, but so do we.

"Oppositions, not just Australia but the other nations, have definitely improved over the last few years, and it makes for a better game of footy."

Meninga welcomed Taumalolo's confidence.

"We don't fear them either," he said.

"It's a battle for international status ... it's been a long time (since 2019) and we're coming ready to play."

Taumalolo's commitment to Mate Ma'a ahead of New Zealand in 2018 came after he had led the Kiwis to the 2017 World Cup semi-finals.

It inspired others to follow the North Queensland star's lead, their ensuing defeat of Australia shaking up international rugby league.

Coach Kristian Woolf has been at the Tonga helm throughout, the side now boasting a world-class line-up and arguably the best forward pack in Test rugby league.

"A lot of the (2019) squad have moved on, but there's some good memories, the atmosphere made it so special," Taumalolo said of their last Kangaroos clash.

"That was a special team we had in 2019, and we have a special group in camp here that can do special things too.

"We know what we're capable of."

Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa and Huddersfield's Tuimoala Lolohea form a dangerous play-making pair, while Eliesa Katoa, Keaon Koloamatangi, Haumole Olakau'atu, Felise Kaufusi, Taniela Paseka and Taumalolo will offer Woolf plenty up front.

"A lot of us have played together in the past, we have that chemistry," Taumalolo said, confident they can match Australia's forwards on Friday.

"And guys like Paseka, he's already found his feet."

KANGAROOS (1-17): Dylan Edwards, Xavier Coates, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Tom Trbojevic, Zac Lomax, Tom Dearden, Mitch Moses, Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Cam Murray, Isaah Yeo, Matt Burton, Mitch Barnett, Reuben Cotter, Hudson Young.

TONGA: Lehi Hopoate, Daniel Tupou, Moses Suli, Paul Alamoti, Sione Katoa, Tuimoala Lolohea, Isaiya Katoa, Addin Fonua-Blake, Siliva Havili, Felise Kaufusi, Haumole Olakau'atu, Eliesa Katoa, Jason Taumalolo, Soni Luke, Sitili Tupouniua, Taniela Paseka, Keaon Koloamatangi.

- AAP