Rugby League - Kiwis
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@SBW1 said in Rugby League - Kiwis:
We could make a play for Katoa
Is he eligible? What's the residency requirement? He only came to NZ late high school IIRC and left when he was 22 - does that count?
Would be funny if we poached an actual Tongan after they poached all our NZ Tongans.
After Warbrick's effort last night now sure if I want him in the Kiwis. We might as well select DWZ if we want wingers coming off their wing and leaving huge openings.
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Kiwis Squad announcement tomorrow.
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@Nepia said in Rugby League - Kiwis:
@SBW1 said in Rugby League - Kiwis:
We could make a play for Katoa
Is he eligible? What's the residency requirement? He only came to NZ late high school IIRC and left when he was 22 - does that count?
Would be funny if we poached an actual Tongan after they poached all our NZ Tongans.
After Warbrick's effort last night now sure if I want him in the Kiwis. We might as well select DWZ if we want wingers coming off their wing and leaving huge openings.
Warbrick is probably a better athlete than he is a footballer at this point in time if that makes sense . Big , strong, fast with a good leap. I think he’s still a bit raw .
But he is in a good place with Bellamy coaching him , he has been manufacturing nobodies into pretty good centres /wingers for years now , but yeah warbrick at this stage of his career can have a few rocks diamonds type games, nz league media might be getting a little carried away.
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Interesting stat from an article about the number of injured unavailable Kiwis from the Final
"After 35 minutes of the first half the Channel 9 statistics team revealed the ball had been in play for more than 33 minutes, a ridiculous ratio for a collision sport."
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The Kiwis’ Pacific Championship squad is:
Erin Clark, Phoenix Crossland, James Fisher-Harris (capt), Peta Hiku, Jahrome Hughes, Jamayne Isaako, Keano Kini, Casey McLean, Griffin Neame, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Kodi Nikorima, Marata Niukore, Isaiah Papali’i, Jordan Riki, Scott Sorensen, Joseph Tapine, Leo Thompson, Matt Timoko, Trent Toelau, Will Warbrick, Naufahu Whyte. -
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fucking scraping the barrel here aren't we?
Peta Hiku? Was cooked 12 months ago when every Cowboys supporter celebrated his departure.
More than one fringe first grader
Griffin Neame has had a terrible season.
Oh and a dude who is Cheese's coke mate.We're going to get pounded.
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Tonga have named a pretty descent squad. They start the tournament against Oz.
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Wow thats an ordinary squad. Surely CNK plays centre?
Warriors supporters get to have a better look at Erin Clarke, who only probably made this squad because of that announcement. -
@SBW1 said in Rugby League - Kiwis:
Interesting the number of Kiwis pledging to play Origin is only getting bigger. Origin will be stacked with Kiwis the way it is going. The Maroons are going that way as it is. Can't see Leota in the squad.
When's the Samoan team named? I'll be pissed off if he's defected.
What's Toelau's background? He was born in Oz right?
This Championship is essentially a who's left over for each of the three squads.
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@mariner4life said in Rugby League - Kiwis:
fucking scraping the barrel here aren't we?
Peta Hiku? Was cooked 12 months ago when every Cowboys supporter celebrated his departure.
More than one fringe first grader
Griffin Neame has had a terrible season.
Oh and a dude who is Cheese's coke mate.We're going to get pounded.
You said that last year to. I'm slightly more confident now.
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Leota is injured. Peter Hiku has gone quite well for the Kiwis in the past, he was part of the Stephen Kearney era in which we were very good. Not sure of his form in the UK. This should really be a Four team tournament. I do however expect the Aussies to dominate early and hopefully we can play ourselves into some form against Tonga. A few Kiwis with points to prove, like Riki who is from a gun team which has been underperforming. Hopefully at the very least we are competitive and build some depth for the future. Origin has cancelled out a number of options for us, hopefully we have picked up some good young guns from the Panthers to counter that. Samoa are playing the Poms this year.
.Panthers young guns receive shock New Zealand call-ups
Stacey Jones has named a new-look New Zealand side as he prepares to take charge of the national team for the first time since taking over from Michael Maguire.
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Liam Martin ruled out.
Kangaroos suffer brutal injury blow as star ruled out of Pacific Championships
Mal Meninga has copped a major blow ahead of Australia's Pacific Championships campaign with a Penrith star ruled out of the tournament.
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Samoan team is weak despite the fluffing headline:
'Domino effect': Luai to lead Samoa as more big names ponder switch
Jarome Luai will cap a remarkable season by captaining Samoa, as other stars prepare to join Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Jeremiah Nanai in switching allegiances ahead of RLWC2026.
Anthony Milford (Dolphins)
Blaize Talagi (Penrith Panthers)
Deine Mariner (Brisbane Broncos)
Francis Molo (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Gordon Chan Kum Tong (Manly Sea Eagles)
Izack Tago (Penrith Panthers)
Jake Tago (Parramatta Eels)
Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers)
Jazz Tevaga (Manly Sea Eagles)
Jeral Skelton (Wests Tigers)
Jeremiah Nanai (North Queensland Cowboys)
John Asiata (Leigh Leopards)
Josiah Pahulu (Gold Coast Titans)
Junior Pauga (Sydney Roosters)
Keenan Palasia (Leeds Rhinos)
Lazarus Vaalepu (Melbourne Storm)
Luciano Leilua (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Paul Roache (Warriors)
Ricky Leutele (Leigh Leopards)
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)
Shawn Blore (Melbourne Storm)
Simi Sasagi (Canberra Raiders)
Terrell May (Sydney Roosters) -
that's a real mix of the very good and the very average
Tonga squad confirmed for 2024 Pacific Championships
