
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Tino's perfect debut in the green and gold
RUGBY LEAGUE: It was the perfect national debut for our Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, who scored two tries in the junior Australian Kangaroos' 40-24 win over the junior New Zealand Kiwis on Saturday afternoon.
The Kiwis were unable to contain the charging second rower from Gympie or his Aussie team-mates despite playing on their home turf.
Snaring his first victory in the green and gold, the 18-year-old's power and strength in possession proved unstoppable.
When Fa'asuamaleaui came onto the field, the commentators remarked on his size and the shadow he cast over the Kiwi forwards.
With one of his first touches, Fa'asuamaleaui charged from 10 metres out and streamrolled over the line for his first try.
After an entertaining first half in the Trans-Tasman clash, the Kangaroos went to the shed with a narrow 24-16 buffer.
The talented juniors backed up a solid first half with some brilliance in the second.
Trailing by 10 points in crunch time, the Kiwis were desperate in the attempts to defend their line.
The New Zealanders managed to prevent the Australian offensive onslaught, but Fa'asuamaleaui was the one to break the wall by penetrating the line and completing his double.
Clocking a total of 122 metres, 11 hit-ups and seven tackle breaks in 53 minutes on the field, Fa'asuamaleaui caused headaches for his opponents.
There were worrying signs in the dying minutes as he came from the field with a hit to his nose, leaving a hole in the Aussies' defensive line.
Australia went on to attack the Kiwi defence again without their star man, crossing for their seventh try and completing the 16-point triumph in style.
