Pre-RWC test matches
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Manu Samoa head coach Steve Jackson has named a 33-man squad for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup, three months ahead of the World Cup in Japan.Jackson conceded that this was not the strongest squad he could have selected for the pre-World Cup tournament, but said all players in the squad will have the opportunity to push their case for the global showpiece event, which kicks off in September. “There’s obviously some visible people that aren’t named in this Pacific Nations Cup squad which will be available for the World Cup,” he said. “But it was a decision made by the coaches for us to make sure that when we go to Rugby World Cup we know that we’ve got 40-plus players that can play at international level and will be ready for Rugby World Cup.The former Blues assistant coach and North Harbour head coach said other players with dual nationality, such as Worcester-bound Blues fullback Melani Nanai and Leicester-bound Crusaders flanker Jordan Taufua, both of whom represented Samoa at U20 level and have spent time training with the All Blacks, remain on the radar for World Cup selection. “There’s certain players that have to make decisions because they are dual eligibility and we’ve made contact with a few players in regards to that,” Jackson said. “But we don’t have to name a Rugby World Cup squad until I think it’s September the 3rd so we’ve still got plenty of time for some of the players that we’ve communicated to that we’d like to have them on board.
Samoa name first squad of the year three months out from World Cup
Manu Samoa head coach Steve Jackson has named a 33-man squad, featuring eight new caps, for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup.
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@Stargazer said in Pre-RWC test matches:
33 Belgium TUATAGALOA – Valence Romans (FRANCE), Samatau/Falelatai/Sapapalii
I was reading that he will lose his French club contract by accepting to play for Samoa. Good work WR!
Full story here:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup/113870008/rugby-world-cup-2019-belgium-tuatagaloa-told-to-choose-between-club-and-country -
@Bovidae Yeah, the Rugbypass article already has him like this in their list: Belgium Tuatagaloa (unattached)*
Also from that article:
Some players were unavailable for the Pacific Nations Cup due to club commitments, while one unnamed player, who has previously represented Samoa at a World Cup, has already ruled himself out of contention. “To be honest we’ve had one player, to look after his financial security, turn the opportunity down to go to a Rugby World Cup purely because the financial benefit to him is just what he needs to do for him and his family,” Jackson said. “I can understand that. He’s already been to a World Cup with Manu Samoa and you can only support these players with the decision that they make and it’s an opportunity for someone else to step in and take his opportunity.”This really shouldn't happen, but that's what you get in competitions without central contracting and where clubs have too much power. The money will be too good to turn down for some players. Obviously not for Belgium Tuatagaloa, but maybe that's because he was playing for a club that has just been promoted to the Pro D2 division. I hope he can earn a contract somewhere else by playing the PNC and RWC. There will always be clubs in need of injury cover.
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The only way to stop this is to have no professional games during the entire RWC training and games window. Otherwise I can see the clubs point, I wouldn't pay a player who wasn't going to be there - release them, but pay them? No. And I'd prioritse players that will be there. They're businesses, most running at massive losses, and having to pay for a replacement player whilst still paying for someone in a RWC squad? Nope.
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@Machpants said in Pre-RWC test matches:
The only way to stop this is to have no professional games during the entire RWC training and games window. Otherwise I can see the clubs point, I wouldn't pay a player who wasn't going to be there - release them, but pay them? No.
The point is that this is a tactic used by all European clubs, not just those in the lower levels. If English/French clubs release their own players for a RWC they should also be compelled to release players from other nations. PI players don't have any leverage.
WR could use some of their money to compensate the clubs/pay the players instead of providing money for development purposes which are then wasted by the suits.
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@Bovidae said in Pre-RWC test matches:
@Machpants said in Pre-RWC test matches:
The only way to stop this is to have no professional games during the entire RWC training and games window. Otherwise I can see the clubs point, I wouldn't pay a player who wasn't going to be there - release them, but pay them? No.
The point is that this is a tactic used by all European clubs, not just those in the lower levels. If English/French clubs release their own players for a RWC they should also be compelled to release players from other nations. PI players don't have any leverage.
WR could use some of their money to compensate the clubs/pay the players instead of providing money for development purposes which are then wasted by the suits.
They are compelled to release the players, what they are not compelled to do is offer those players contracts/equal contracts. If WR offered compensation it would be good, but that is rugby dev money going to clubs then - it's not 'suits' that waste them, but corrupt national set ups (yay let's make the PM head of RU!). Really stopping all comps during RWC is the only option to stop this. I don't like it but I feel on the clubs side- they can't and won't tear up a contract, but it is part of negotiations, how many games are you likely to be on the field? Same reason makes ex-ABs are so valuable, they are not going to get called up.
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@Stargazer said in Pre-RWC test matches:
@Bovidae Yeah, the Rugbypass article already has him like this in their list: Belgium Tuatagaloa (unattached)*
Also from that article:
Some players were unavailable for the Pacific Nations Cup due to club commitments, while one unnamed player, who has previously represented Samoa at a World Cup, has already ruled himself out of contention. “To be honest we’ve had one player, to look after his financial security, turn the opportunity down to go to a Rugby World Cup purely because the financial benefit to him is just what he needs to do for him and his family,” Jackson said. “I can understand that. He’s already been to a World Cup with Manu Samoa and you can only support these players with the decision that they make and it’s an opportunity for someone else to step in and take his opportunity.”This really shouldn't happen, but that's what you get in competitions without central contracting and where clubs have too much power. The money will be too good to turn down for some players. Obviously not for Belgium Tuatagaloa, but maybe that's because he was playing for a club that has just been promoted to the Pro D2 division. I hope he can earn a contract somewhere else by playing the PNC and RWC. There will always be clubs in need of injury cover.
It also happens in competitions with central contracting though. Tumua Manu & Melani Nanai won't be going to the world cup this year. Because economic conditions make it more desirable for them to sit it out and not pin their colours to a non-black mast (yet, maybe ever). Or Sowakula, or phantom capped Pauliasi Manu etc.
Central contracting steals their youth. Nod, nod, wink, wink attitudes to international release from European clubs steals their experience.
But if a national sporting team is a reflection of the national character and and influences. Then Samoa seem pretty accurate reflection. Pressure to provide to the church, village, family outweighs lesser paid international sporting representation.
However, dont think this means i think nothing can or should be done. I liked Nicholls suggestion in the media a few days ago re: WR directly paying player tournament appearance fee . It could address part of one side of the equation (the attractiveness of making yourself available).
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Tonga name squad for the Pacific Nations Cup:
FORWARDS
Paea Fa’anunu (Castres, FR),
Siegfried Fisi’ihoi (Stade Francais, FR),
Toma Taufa (Bayonne, FR),
Paul Ngauamo (Agen, FR),
Elvis Taione (Exeter Chiefs, UK),
Sefo Sakalia (Asia Pacific Dragons, SG),
Ma’afu Fia (Ospreys, UK),
Siua Halanukonuka (Glasgow Warriors, UK),
Ben Tameifuna (Racing 92),
Leva Fifita (Grenoble, FR),
Onehunga Havili (Exeter Chiefs, UK),
Sam Lousi (Hurricanes, NZ),
Steve Mafi (Castres, FR),
Zane Kapeli (Bay of Plenty, NZ),
Fotu Lokotui (Kagifa Samoa, WS),
Nasi Manu (Benetton Treviso, IT),
Sione Vailanu (Saracens, UK),
Ma’ama Vaipulu (Castres, FR)BACKS
Sami Fisilau (Auckland Marist, NZ),
Leon Fukofuka (Kagifa Samoa, WS),
Tane Takulua (Newcastle Falcons, UK),
Otumaka Mausia (Auckland, NZ),
Siale Piutau (Bristol Bears, UK),
Nafi Tuitavake (Northampton Saints, UK),
Viliami Lolohea (Papatoetoe, NZ),
Afa Pakalani (Eastwood, AU),
Cooper Vuna (Bath, UK),
Tevita Halaifonua (Coventry, UK),
Fetuli Paea ( Ta$man, NZ)Awesome to see Nasi Manu back in the squad after his battle with cancer!
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@dogmeat said in Pre-RWC test matches:
@Stargazer 18/11 split?
And many of those 11 unknown club rugby players.
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Japanese squad for the Pacific Nations Cup
日本代表「ワールドラグビー パシフィック・ネーションズカップ2019」メンバーのお知らせ｜日本ラグビーフットボール協会
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@Stargazer Can you hunt out Stephen Jones' comments on this squad please. Will be interesting to see if they have included any interpreters in their official backroom staff.
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