As Australia looks to bounce back from its worst ever loss by blooding six debutants for the first time in a generation, it poses a question.
Are we on the cusp of a new world order in international rugby league?
The Kangaroos host Tonga on Friday night in their first game since copping their biggest defeat in history, a 30-0 shellacking by New Zealand last November.
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Mal Meninga’s men also lost their last clash against Tonga back in 2019 when Mate Ma’a pulled off a 16-12 upset in Auckland.
But this clash at Suncorp Stadium will be the first time in history the nations play on Australian soil, in a match that will feature some fascinating one-on-one battles.
The Kangaroos have historically dominated international rugby league but Tonga star Jason Taumalolo suggested this week the Aussies no longer carry an aura.
Cowboys veteran Taumalolo will start at lock and has a huge task in trying to shut down his opposite number in Panthers skipper Isaah Yeo.
The battle of the fullbacks, centres, wingers and props also shape up as outstanding contests.
Here foxsports.com.au breaks down the five best positional battles when Australia host Tonga on Friday night.
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FULLBACK
Dylan Edwards v Lehi Hopoate
You’d be hard pressed finding two more different players in what shapes as a fascinating between a conservative veteran and a teen livewire.
Edwards doesn’t have the most exciting highlights reel but he’s one of the most reliable players in the NRL who gets through his work and almost never has a bad game.
The Panthers No. 1 debuted in 2016 and has played in the past five grand finals, winning four, while also being named the 2022 Clive Churchill Medal winner.
Edwards, 28, made his Kangaroos debut 12 months ago before this year unseating NSW veteran James Tedesco as the Blues fullback.
Hopoate on the other hand only made his NRL debut this year, 14 appearances for the Sea Eagles and scoring some spectacular tries en route to his season tally of nine.
Hopoate, 19, has speed to burn and isn’t afraid to chance his arm trying to come up with a big play – no matter the opposition.
The son of a gun enjoyed a purple patch in the back end of the season when he scored in six straight games, which included two doubles.
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WINGERS
Zac Lomax v Daniel Tupou
Here we’ve got debutant Lomax coming off his breakout season taking on the old bull Tupou who will be playing his 20th Test match.
Lomax was absolutely filthy when this time last year new Dragons coach Shane Flanagan told him he’d be shifting from centre to the wing.
So filthy that he successfully negotiated an early release from his contract, but the move proved a masterstroke as Lomax delivered the best year of his career.
The 25-year-old’s red-hot form earned him a New South Wales debut before Australia’s coach Mal Meninga came calling with a green and gold jersey.
Tupou looked like he was heading into his final NRL season this year but strong form saw him sign a two-year extension in July that will take him through to the end of 2026.
The 33-year-old played his first Test for Tonga back in 2013 and also made a single appearance for the Kangaroos in 2014.
Tupou enjoys a six centimetre height advantage over Lomax but the latter is prolific in the air in what will be a fascinating battle under the high ball.
CENTRES
Tom Trbojevic v Paul Alamoti
With Dylan Edwards filling the No.1 jersey, Tom Trbojevic has been named in the centres, setting up a tasty clash with a player on the rise in Paul Alamoti.
The 20-year-old, who is set to make his Test debut for Tonga against Australia, enjoyed a stunning campaign with the Panthers, scoring a premiership-sealing try against the Storm in the grand final.
He became a lock in the four-time premier’s backline, only 12 months after he was deemed surplus to requirements at the Bulldogs and his career was hanging by a thread.
Alamoti’s manager was forced to email all other 16 NRL clubs in a bid to get his client a deal for 2025, and lucky for him the Panthers came knocking.
The gun centre’s defence was the biggest issue in his game at the Bulldogs, but as Penrith’s coaching staff seem to do, Alamoti became a machine on the left edge.
However, he faces a tough assignment coming up against arguably one of the game’s most destructive attacking players in Trbojevic.
The 2021 Dally M Medallist spent time on the sidelines with shoulder and hamstring injuries this year, which ruled him out of the Origin series.
The 28-year-old could also be given a license to roam the field under Meninga, similar to the way he swept around in attack under Brad Fittler for NSW in years gone by.
Regardless, he’s near impossible to tackle one-on-one and there’s not many tougher assignments in rugby league than negating the impact of ‘Turbo’ in full flight.
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LOCKS
Isaah Yeo v Jason Taumalolo
These two have had opposite career trajectories.
Yeo, 29, arrived in the NRL in 20104 as an unassuming centre (despite standing 195cm tall) and nobody could have predicted the heights his career would reach.
After debuting in 2014 and spending his first two seasons in and out of the Panthers side, Yeo shifted in the second row in around 2015.
But it was move to lock in 2019 that ultimately helped set up Penrith’s dynasty with Yeo the side’s linchpin as they played in five straight grand finals.
It’s a career in stark contrast to Taumalolo who was a teenage prodigy who became the youngest Cowboys player in history when he debuted at 17 in 2010.
International honours came while still a teenager in 2013 when he made his first appearance for Tonga and 12 months later Taumalolo was picked for New Zealand.
Then at the height of his powers in 2017, Taumalolo signed a historic 10-year deal until the end of 2027 worth a whopping $9 million.
But the ruck rule changes ahead of the 2022 season significantly limited the lock’s impact on games and he’s struggled to replicate the form of his peak.
PROPS
Pat Carrigan v Addin Fonua-Blake
What happens when an unstoppable force crashes into an immovable object?
Scientists are yet to settle on an answer to the paradox, but we could get a solution when Pat Carrigan and Addin Fonua-Blake meet on Friday night.
Carrigan, who is a lock for the Broncos and Queensland, has been named at prop for the Kangaroos, with the hallmark of his game his non-stop engine.
The 26-year-old made the 27th most tackles of any player to go with the 27th most running metres and 21st most offloads.
Carrigan is a true workhorse, and in the past few seasons has emerged as one of rugby league’s best middle forwards, carrying Brisbane amid a tumultuous 2024 campaign.
Fonua-Blake, meanwhile, does a mountain of work but his attacking ability is where he shines, scoring more tries than any other front rower in 2024.
He’s set to make the move to the Sharks next season, having emerged as one of the game’s premier props during his time at the Warriors.
So when Carrigan and Fonua-Blake go toe-to-toe, it’s sure to be some tasty viewing and could set-up an interesting NRL duel in 2025.
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