All Blacks v Tonga

[Bovidae]

Some background info on the Tongan team.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/125615499/international-men-of-mystery--just-who-are-these-tongans-facing-the-all-blacks

[Nepia]

Not to be confused with the Australian-born, former Melbourne Rebels player Sione Tuipulotu, who was last month called into the Scotland squad. Formerely with Manawatū, now Auckland in the NPC, the former Wesley College pupil was, before now, eligible for three countries, having represented both Tonga and Samoa at Under-20 level, and also being called into the NZ U20 squad.

Sheesh, he's covered his bases.

[nostrildamus]

I'm looking forward to viewing a badly coached, ill-prepared and relatively inexperienced team do battle.

As for the other team, I also hope Tonga do well.

[nostrildamus]

Saw Jordie in the crowd watching, along with his 12 year old cousin. Oh, no, that's DMac.

[Tim]

Best hope's for this game:

No injuries.

Some combinations look better than expected.

[Nepia]

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks v Tonga:

Saw Jordie in the crowd watching, along with his 12 year old cousin. Oh, no, that's DMac.

I liked when in SRA he tried to run over his 12 year old cousin but got layed out.

[nostrildamus]

@nepia said in All Blacks v Tonga:

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks v Tonga:

Saw Jordie in the crowd watching, along with his 12 year old cousin. Oh, no, that's DMac.

I liked when in SRA he tried to run over his 12 year old cousin but got layed out.

DMac's mullet must have builtin "ground effect".

[Chris B.]

I always enjoy these sort of stressless Harlem Globe Trotters tests. Take them for what they are - entertainment.

[TJ]

Looks like a really poor crowd. This doesn't bode well for the Moana Pacifica team surely.

[KiwiMurph]

This tiny crowd perfectly sums up what a farce this game is.

I can't remember a smaller crowd for an AB home 'test'.

[antipodean]

This game shouldn't have Test status.

[Stargazer]

I've seen a lot of comments on social media that for many Pasifika families the ticket prices were (still) too high.

[Mackerzzzz]

What is the point of the all blacks playing a side full of just club players...

[Mackerzzzz]

@mackerzzzz said in All Blacks v Tonga:

What is the point of the all blacks playing a side full of just club players...

They would be better of playing the maori

[raznomore]

1. It's Tonga
2. It's severely depleted COVID Tonga.
3. This is MT Smart. If it was at Eden Park more people would have turned up.
4. Tongans have shifted their focus to League.
5. If Abs fans can't turn up to see a cricket score the Tongan fans aren't going to turn up to see their team on the wrong end of it.

[Stargazer]

I read somewhere that NZR offered this game to Samoa, but that Samoa declined and preferred to play the Maori All Blacks, because they saw that as a better preparation of their RWC qualifiers. So basically, because Samoa got the MABs, Tonga could only get this game.

[KiwiMurph]

Slow renditions of nz anthem is torture.

[Machpants]

Can I add pose hard singers to shit commentators on my grumpy old guy list. FFS

[Mackerzzzz]

Faaaaaar to slow....

[Stockcar86]

@kiwimurph said in All Blacks v Tonga:

Slow renditions of nz anthem is torture.