Tonga shut out Lebanon 36–0 to maintain perfect World Cup start

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Tonga beat Lebanon 36–0 in Sydney on Friday to record their second successive victory at the men’s Rugby League World Cup, with Sione Katoa and Jojo Fifita each scoring two tries.

The seven-try win at CommBank Stadium followed Tonga’s opening 30–12 defeat of England. It leaves Kristian Woolf’s side unbeaten ahead of their final group match against Samoa on 1 November, with a place in the semi-finals still to be secured.

Lebanon remained competitive for long spells, particularly in the first half, but could not find a way through Tonga’s defence. Katoa and Paul Alamoti supplied the first two tries before Tolutau Koula intervened at a crucial point shortly before the interval.

With Lebanon threatening through a kick towards Jason Saab, Koula collected the ball after it was knocked back infield and ran clear to score at the other end. Tonga went into the break 14–0 ahead, having turned a potential Lebanon scoring opportunity into another four points.

Fifita added the fourth try soon after the restart. Lebanon then kept Tonga out for an extended spell before Leka Halasima crossed late in the second half. Further tries from Fifita and Katoa completed the scoring, while Alamoti and Tui Lolohea contributed four conversions between them.

Tonga achieved the result without first-choice halfback Isaiya Katoa, who was absent with an ankle injury. Lolohea took on the organising role alongside Latu Fainu, and the NRL reported that Katoa is expected back for the Samoa fixture.

The crowd of 25,065 watched Lebanon suffer a second defeat after their opening loss to Papua New Guinea. The Cedars face France on 1 November, while Tonga now have more than a week to prepare for a match that could settle their progress into the last four.

Sources

• NRL: Tonga outclass Lebanon to set up Samoa showdown (2026-10-23)
• BBC Sport: Rugby League World Cup — Tonga 36–0 Lebanon
• International Rugby League: Tonga v Lebanon match details and report
• NRL: World Cup fixture and ticket information