Pre-RWC test matches
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@Higgins said in Pre-RWC test matches:
@Stargazer That number 17 for the 'Ikale Tahi looks to be a familiar name. Any oil on who it is thanks?
Tonga's no. 17 is prop Vunipola Fifita. He's 23 years old and was part of the 2019 Brumbies squad. He didn't get much game time for the Brumbies (1 game, 8 minutes), but it was only his first year. He has also played NRC for the Canberra Vikings. He attended Newington College in Sydney on a scholarship. He moved to Australia from Tonga at the age of 15.
He has played for Australian Schoolboys in 2014, for Tonga U20 during the 2015 WR U20 Trophy and for Australia U20 during the 2016 JWC (the same squad as Tyrell Lomax).
He is related to Mako and Billy Vunipola.
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@Billy-Tell said in Pre-RWC test matches:
If Ireland beat Wales B this weekend by more than 15 they go to number 1.
A lot of people went WTF after the ABs smashed Bled 2 and lost the number 1, this weekend it may well be another team in #1 having just lost by a biggest margin!
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Fiji Airways Flying Fijians squad for Tonga
1 Campese Ma’afu, 2 Sam Matavesi, 3 Kalivati Tawake, 4 Tevita Cavubati, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 7 Semi Kunatani, 8 Peceli Yato, 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Ben Volavola, 11 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Levani Botia, 13 Semi Radradra, 14 Josua Tuisova, 15 Alivereti Veitokani
Reserves
16 Ratu Veremalua Vugakoto, 17. Eroni Mawi, 18. Peni Ravai, 19. Tevita Ratuva, 20. Viliame Mata, 21. Nikola Matawalu, 22. Joshua Matavesi, 23. Waisea Nayacalevu -
If Wales and Ireland draw or Irelans win by less than 15, then the ABs will be top of the world rankings again.
The potential huge shift in the world rugby rankings after Wales v Ireland
Wales are currently top of the world rankings but that could change significantly if they lose to Ireland
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An average France side destroying our pool opponents. We have the weakest pool by far. Apart from SA, just dross.
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I'm surprised at the lack of inter tier games in the NH warmups. Only T1 v T2 games is Scotland v Georgia x2 and Italy v Russia.
Some of the British teams, Ireand and Wales for example , are spending the month before the world cup absolutely battering themselves.
Very different from the SH warmups.
Obviously different seasons need different approaches.
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Fiji 17 - 12 Tonga at half time at Eden Park. It's been a cracking watch so far.
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@sparky said in Pre-RWC test matches:
France Vs Italy, including an appalling decision by the referee Carley:
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I hope to christ Japanese immigration have denied the visa applications for the two commentators. My ears were bleeding by the end of that.
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Definitely a penalty and a yellow. Not convinced about penalty try. That was no Irish 'Shoulder to shoulder'. The defender knew exactly what he was doing.
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Can World Rugby please start disallowing tries for substitutes entering the field of play to celebrate with the actual players on the pitch. Sinbin them too. If you want to warm up get on a stationary bike or go do laps somewhere else.
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French really dropping the hip into their backline passes, coming from depth too. Could really be the answer to rush defences.
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@MiketheSnow Agree on points 1 and 3.
Point 2 Not much in that IMHO and the Frenchman dives like a soccer player. I don't like this culture of looking for cards.
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@sparky said in Pre-RWC test matches:
@MiketheSnow Agree on points 1 and 3.
Point 2 Not much in that IMHO and the Frenchman dives like a soccer player. I don't like this culture of looking for cards.
If he'd dived and gone down fair enough but his (Huget) eye was still on the prize. Took him off stride.
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@MiketheSnow said in Pre-RWC test matches:
looks like a brilliant game, good to see the Heartland playing in Black
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@MiketheSnow said in Pre-RWC test matches:
WALES TEAM TO FACE IRELAND, SATURDAY AUGUST 31 (KO 14.30, CHANNEL 4)
- Hallam Amos (Cardiff Blues)
- Owen Lane (Cardiff Blues)*
- Scott Williams (Ospreys)
- Owen Watkin (Ospreys)
- Steff Evans (Scarlets)
- Jarrod Evans (Cardiff Blues)
- Aled Davies (Ospreys)
- Rhys Carre (Saracens)*
- Ryan Elias (Scarlets)
- Samson Lee (Scarlets)
- Adam Beard (Ospreys)
- Bradley Davies (Ospreys)
- Aaron Shingler (Scarlets)
- James Davies (Scarlets)
- Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues) (CAPT)
Replacements:
- Elliot Dee (Dragons)
- Rob Evans (Scarlets)
- Leon Brown (Dragons)
- Jake Ball (Scarlets)
- Ross Moriarty (Dragons)
- Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues)
- Rhys Patchell (Scarlets)
- Jonah Holmes (Leicester Tigers)
*Uncapped
Make or break time for youngsters and seasoned pros alike.
Christ knows how this match is going to pan out, let's just have a feast please.
No Jones? Gotta be a first.
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@mofitzy_ said in Pre-RWC test matches:
@MiketheSnow said in Pre-RWC test matches:
WALES TEAM TO FACE IRELAND, SATURDAY AUGUST 31 (KO 14.30, CHANNEL 4)
- Hallam Amos (Cardiff Blues)
- Owen Lane (Cardiff Blues)*
- Scott Williams (Ospreys)
- Owen Watkin (Ospreys)
- Steff Evans (Scarlets)
- Jarrod Evans (Cardiff Blues)
- Aled Davies (Ospreys)
- Rhys Carre (Saracens)*
- Ryan Elias (Scarlets)
- Samson Lee (Scarlets)
- Adam Beard (Ospreys)
- Bradley Davies (Ospreys)
- Aaron Shingler (Scarlets)
- James Davies (Scarlets)
- Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues) (CAPT)
Replacements:
- Elliot Dee (Dragons)
- Rob Evans (Scarlets)
- Leon Brown (Dragons)
- Jake Ball (Scarlets)
- Ross Moriarty (Dragons)
- Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues)
- Rhys Patchell (Scarlets)
- Jonah Holmes (Leicester Tigers)
*Uncapped
Make or break time for youngsters and seasoned pros alike.
Christ knows how this match is going to pan out, let's just have a feast please.
No Jones? Gotta be a first.
Evans above!!!
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@sparky said in Pre-RWC test matches:
Wales 3 Ireland 15 after 35 minutes. Two tries to Stockdale. Ireland on the cusp of topping the world rankings.
Bloody handing it to the Irish. Literally.
Terrible ball retention and aimless kicking.
