Pre-RWC test matches
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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
ラグビーを世界一楽しもう！ラグビー日本代表のニュース・試合日程・結果およびイベント情報など最新情報が満載。ラグビーの普及・育成に関する情報やルール・観戦ガイド、デジタルアーカイブなど、ラグビーのあらゆる情報をお届けします。（公財）日本ラグビーフットボール協会の公式サイトです。
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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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Tongan squad to take on Samoa on Saturday, 27 July.
1 Paea Fa’anunu (Leimatu’a, Vava’u, & Tuanekivale)
2 Elvis Taione (Kolomotu’a & Ha’akio)
3 Ben Tameifuna (Pea)
4 Leva Fifita (Neiafu)
5 Sam Louisi* (Kanokupolu & Leimatu’a)
6 Onehunga Havili (Ha’ateiho)
7 Maama Vaipulu (Folaha)
8 Nasi Manu (C) (Vaini & Ha’ateiho)
9 Samisoni Fisilau (Longolongo & Leimatu’a)
10 James Faiva* (Ngele’ia & Kotu)
11 Viliami Lolohea (Navutoka & Niuatoputapu)
12 Cooper Vuna (Houma)
13 Malietoa Hingano* (Makaunga, Talafo’ou, Nukuleka, Holonga & Utuali’i)
14 Tevita Halaifonua (Fatumu & Houma)
15 Nafi Tu’itavake (Kolomotu’a & Malapo)16 Sefo Sakalia (Ma’ufanga & Nomuka)
17 Toma Taufa* (Angaha & Esia)
18 Ma’afu Fia (Ha’avakatolo, Holonga & Olo’ua)
19 Zane Kapeli (Taunga, Otungake, & Neiafu)
20 Fotu Lokotui (Longoteme & Mo’unga’one)
21 Sione Vailanu (Kolovai)
22 Leon Fukofuka (Ha’avakatolo, Fo’ui & Ha’alalo)
23 ‘Otumaka Mausia* (Ha’ateiho & Longomapu)Being named captain in the absence of regular leaders Siale Piutau and Sonatane Takulua, the inspirational number 8 headlines a solid group of new and returning faces coach Toutai Kefu has chosen to take on Samoa this coming weekend.
Alongside Manu, five players are in line to make their international debuts; Sam Lousi, James Faiva, Malietoa Hingano, Toma Taufa and Otumaka Mausia. In addition to the new faces the Ikale Tahi team will also welcome back experienced campaigners Maama Vaipulu, Cooper Vuna and Tevita Halaifonua for the clash against Samoa.
With so many debutants named, coach Toutai Kefu suggested he was still casting a keen eye for spots he was looking to fill for the Rugby World Cup, during this upcoming Pacific Nations Cup campaign.
We’re still looking at a few young guys, and its still quite open, in terms of vying for World Cup spots.
https://truoffical.com/manu-named-to-lead-tonga-completing-remarkable-comeback/
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Manu Samoa squad to take on Tonga:
1 Logovi’i Mulipola 2. Motu Matu’u (C) 3. Paul Alo Emile 4.Teofilo Paulo 5. Kane Leaupepe 6. Chris Vui 7. TJ Ioane 8. Afaesetiti Amosa 9. Auvasa Falealii 10. Ulupano Seutini 11. Belgium Tuatagaloa 12. Reynold Lee-Lo 13. Alapati Leiua 14. Johnny Vaili 15. Ahsee Tuala
Reserves: 16. Ray Niuia 17. Jordan Lay 18. Alofa’aga Sao 19. Vaito’asa Senio Toleafoa 20. Alamanda Motuga 21. Dwayne Polataivao 22. AJ Alatimu 23. JJ Taulagi
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Fiji squad to play Japan:
1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Sam Matavesi, 3 Manasa Saulo, 4 Albert Tuisue, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 7 Semi Kunatani, 8 Viliame Mata, 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Ben Volavola, 11 Patrick Osbourne, 12 Levani Botia, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 14 Filipo Nakosi, 15 Alivereti Veitokani
Reserves
16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Lee-Roy Atalifo, 19. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 20. Peceli Yato, 21. Henry Seniloli, 22. Jale Vatubua, 23. Josh Matavesi -
In NZ, Pacific Nations Cup games will be broadcast by Sky.
The World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup matches will be broadcast on television live, delayed-live and via dedicated highlights programming in select countries. Details of the licensed broadcasters by country are below - please check local listings for confirmation of timings and please check back to this page for updates as the content of the table below is subject to change. For fans who live in other countries or territories where broadcast coverage isn’t available, the fixtures are also be streamed live here on the World Rugby website. Streaming Availability: Live on worldrugby.org/pnc for all other countries. Broadcast Partners: TSN (Canada) NBC (USA) J Sports and NTV (Japan) Fiji TV (Fiji) Sky New Zealand (New Zealand) Samoa TV (Samoa) -
Just a reminder - for whoever is interested - that you can find all
- pre-RWC test matches,
- kick-off times,
- broadcast details,
- links to matchday squads, and
- results
in this blogpost (to be found via the Silver Fern homepage) :
https://www.thesilverfern.com/posts/stargazer/2019-09/pre-rwc-tests
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@Stargazer said in Pre-RWC test matches:
Fiji squad to play Japan:
1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Sam Matavesi, 3 Manasa Saulo, 4 Albert Tuisue, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 7 Semi Kunatani, 8 Viliame Mata, 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Ben Volavola, 11 Patrick Osbourne, 12 Levani Botia, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 14 Filipo Nakosi, 15 Alivereti Veitokani
Reserves
16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Lee-Roy Atalifo, 19. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 20. Peceli Yato, 21. Henry Seniloli, 22. Jale Vatubua, 23. Josh MatavesiIn comparison, here's the team that played the NZM in Suva. So that was close to their first-choice team.
1: Peni Ravai 2: Sam Matavesi 3: Manasa Saulo 4: Albert Tuise 5: Leone Nakarawa 6: Dominiko Waqaniburotu 7: Semi Kunatani 8: Viliame Mata 9: Frank Lomani 10: Ben Volavola 11: Eroni Sau 12: Lopani Botia 13: Waisea Nayacalevu 14: Josua Tuisova 15: Alvereti Veitokani
Reserves: Mesulame Dolokoto, Eroni Mawi, Kalivati Tawake, Apisalome Ratuniyaarawa, Nemani Nagusa, Henri Seniloli, Sefanaia Galala, Patrick Osborne
