SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs)
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@Stargazer he seems to think NZR have magic powers and unlimited funds.
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Not sure why anyone would want this.
“If we can’t get a full TRC (Rugby Championship) because of the travel restrictions then we are looking at other things that we could do, a Wallabies versus Anzac invitation team. Something to be creative.”
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You'd think it's either Wallabies v All Blacks, or ANZAC XV v another country than Australia and New Zealand.
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Snippets from the article below (which is behind the NZH paywall):
Vern Cotter is keen to lure several Super Rugby prospects and has assembled a quality New Zealand-led coaching team as he prepares to guide Fiji in a potentially daunting eight nations tournament later this year.
The former Bay of Plenty head coach and Crusaders assistant has been impressed by several Fiji-eligible prospects including Blues No 8 Hoskins Sotutu, loose head prop Alex Hodgman, who played under 20s for New Zealand and Fiji, Chiefs No 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, Crusaders prop George Bower and wing Manasa Mataele, who is yet to return from injury. "There's guys that have shown really good form," Cotter told the Herald . "Alex Hodgman from the Blues has gone really well. Sowakula is also playing well. "There's some really good players we'd love to be able to access. The guy we'd love to get is Hoskins Sotutu, but I think Ian Foster has probably got his eye on him. If Fozzie doesn't pick him, he is welcome to come and play for Fiji."
Since accepting the Fijian job in January, Cotter has recruited highly-regarded Crusaders forwards coach Jason Ryan, former Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson, Glen Jackson, who retired from refereeing last year, and Richie Gray to his coaching team. Gibson will lead Fiji's backline and attack; Ryan the forward pack, Jackson skills and kicking while Gray, who worked with the Springboks from 2014-16 and Cotter at Scotland and Montpellier, will oversee the contact area.
Following the Pacific Nations Cup in October, Fiji are expected to compete alongside Japan against the traditional Six Nations powers from November 17 to December 5, with teams to be split into two pools of four. The eight-team tournament will this year replace the traditional northern-hosted November tours, with the Sanzaar nations instead hoping to stage the Rugby Championship in New Zealand during this window. Cotter is less enthused about the prospect of returning to Europe amid the pandemic, and having to quarantine for two weeks upon returning home, than he is the chance to assess where Fiji is at after their disappointing World Cup campaign last year. "The tournament is still not 100 per cent confirmed in November in Europe. It changes daily which is only natural because it's an uncertain landscape. We'll be delighted to be involved but we're waiting for the boxes to be ticked. "The concept itself is fascinating and would be really good for Fiji rugby considering there's probably 35 professional rugby players in Europe at the moment you could call on to play for Fiji.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12352101
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@Stargazer said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):
The former Bay of Plenty head coach and Crusaders assistant has been impressed by several Fiji-eligible prospects including Blues No 8 Hoskins Sotutu, loose head prop Alex Hodgman, who played under 20s for New Zealand and Fiji, Chiefs No 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, Crusaders prop George Bower and wing Manasa Mataele, who is yet to return from injury.
Well at least he identified some that were born in Fiji.
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Krusty's back.
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Although they'll play in the NH, they're still a SH team, so posting it here.
2020 Flying Fijians squad announced for Autumn Nations Cup
Fiji Rugby’s 15s Head Coach Vern Cotter has named a powerful Flying Fijians touring squad to prepare for the upcoming Autumn Nations Cup in Europe later this month.
The 32 member squad will march into camp on 25 October in preparation to face France on 15 November, Italy on 21 November and Scotland 7 days later on 29 November at BT Murrayfield.
Flying Fijians will also play Portugal on 6 November as a warm up to the Autumn Nations Cup.
The touring squad welcomes 9 local based players Tevita Ikanivere, Samuela Tawake, Jone Koroiduadua, Chris Minimbi, Manueli Ratuniyarawa, Peni Matawalu, Simione Kuruvoli, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Serupepeli Vularika, who are part of the Skipper Cup and have been training together under the Fiji Rugby Academy.
New Zealand based Waikato prop Haereiti Hetet, Northland forward Temo Mayanavanua and France based Kitione Kamikamica and Lekima Tagitagivalu are also expected to earn their first cap during the tour.
“Haereiti is an unknown player but his father isn’t, he’s the son of Joeli Veitayaki, somebody who is very well known,” Cotter mentioned.
“Haereiti has really impressed us with his performance as he can play both sides, left and right, and he is very excited about this opportunity,” Cotter added.
LOOSEHEAD PROP
Eroni Mawi, Peni Ravai, Haereiti HetetHOOKER
Mesulame Dolokoto, Sam Matavesi, Tevita Ikanivere,TIGHTHEAD PROP
Samuela Tawake, Mesake Doge, Jone Koroiduadua,SECOND ROW
Tevita Ratuva, Leone Nakarawa, Temo Mayanavanua, Chris Minimbi,BACK ROW / UTILITY
Mesulame Kunavula, Kitione Kamikamica, Johnny Dyer, Albert Tuisue, Manueli Ratuniyarawa, Lekima Tagitagivalu,HALFBACK
Frank Lomani, Peni Matawalu, Simione Kuruvoli,FLYHALF
Ben Volavola, Tuidraki SamusamuvodreCENTER
Semi Radradra, Lepani Botia, Serupepeli Vularika, Jale Vatubua, Waisea NayacalevuWINGER
Nemani Nadolo, Josua Tuisova,FULLBACK
Kini Murimurivalu
Interesting to see Haereiti Hetet in that list. He played against Fiji, last year, in his first and only game for the Maori All Blacks.
No Peceli Yato. Injured?
And Nemani Nadolo is back!
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@Stargazer said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):
Although they'll play in the NH, they're still a SH team, so posting it here.
Interesting to see Haereiti Hetet in that list. He played against Fiji, last year, in his first and only game for the Maori All Blacks.
He is Joe Veitayaki's son
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@Higgins said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):
@Stargazer said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):
Although they'll play in the NH, they're still a SH team, so posting it here.
Interesting to see Haereiti Hetet in that list. He played against Fiji, last year, in his first and only game for the Maori All Blacks.
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He is Joe Veitayaki's son
Was this publicised when he made the Maori team?
Edit: Yep
https://www.teaomaori.news/next-generation-players-against-their-fathers-team