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SYDNEY - Wallabies halfback Sam Cordingley made a strong return to representative rugby and young flyer Lachie Turner bagged a hat-trick of tries as Australia A thumped Tonga 60-15 in tonight's IRB Pacific Nations Cup rugby match at Aussie Stadium.
The home team fell behind 5-3 early on, but produced a strong second half showing and finished with eight tries to two.
Cordingley, who hadn't played a representative game for 10 months due to chronic foot problems, played with increasing confidence before being replaced in the 67th minute.
The Reds halfback looked a little rusty early on, but became progressively more assertive and was at the hub of Australia A's second half surge.
Up 13-8 at the break, the home team took control in the third quarter, piling up four tries and 26 points in 15 minutes.
Turner, who earlier this week was named Australian Super 14 Rookie of the Year scored all of his tries after the break and was denied a fourth when teammate Peter Hewat held on to the ball with his Waratahs teammate unmarked outside him close to Tonga's line.
Turner, who turned 20 two weeks ago, was joined on the try sheet by centre Ryan Cross -- who notched two five-pointers -- and fullback Hewat, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and winger Clinton Schifcofske.
Schifcofske finished with 23 points as he kicked six conversions and two penalties and together with fellow League convert Cross contributed over half of Australia A's points.
Tonga made a bright start with winger Seti Kiole crossing for a well constructed try in the seventh minute.
Tonga led 5-3, but rarely threatened to score again until centre Isileli Tupou crossed in the final five minutes.
It was Australia A's first game of the six team round robin tournament.
- AAP
