NRL 2019
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Does Jesse have an "I'll only play if you pick my brother clause" in his contract? Otherwise, how is he starting?
Not a bad lineup really. Stoked for Benji, he really deserved more caps over the past few years, hopefully his old man body is up to it.
Crazy that we can select a team with a fit Foran (in decent form) available and he can't make the 17.NAS isn't going anywhere:
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No idea why Kenny is starting, James Fisher-Harris is the better secondrower to take on the Tongans when it comes to the smash and bash stuff.
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@Sneakdefreak Maybe they want Fisher-Harris to come on fresh and rattle some cages with his hard defence?
Fifita is suspended so will miss the match.
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Kiwis up 16-4 at halftime. Smith scored an awesome try and Johnson scored the exact same try twice. Kata managed to catch the ball and score for Tonga.
Kiwis halves are clearly a step above Tonga's. Maumalo has been carting the ball up well and the Kiwi props Bromwich and JWH have been matching the Tongan's - who are all having a decent match. Kiwis seem to be running at Taumalolo trying to get him making tackles.
Great halftime show by Fox, the longest ads ever, then they talked about Origin and then Fiji.
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Looks like the NRL ref has got a brief to keep it competitive. All 50/50s have gone Tonga's way and it's a 6-0 penalty count against the Kiwis.
Kiwis looking like they're ready to blow up.
Johnson mouthed off to the ref at least twice; the last one was a penalty
Yeah, he should keep his mouth shut - I should have said they're already blown up.
Yay, we finally got a penalty.
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Pretty strong kiwi team this one , hope it’s as strong as this when we play the Aussies later in the year
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@kiwiinmelb said in NRL 2019:
Pretty strong kiwi team this one , hope it’s as strong as this when we play the Aussies later in the year
Contained the much vaunted Tongan pack pretty easily and too much attacking firepower.
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@kiwiinmelb said in NRL 2019:
Pretty strong kiwi team this one , hope it’s as strong as this when we play the Aussies later in the year
Contained the much vaunted Tongan pack pretty easily and too much attacking firepower.
Tonga Have a similar problem to us usually , no shortage of muscle , lack some creativity,
All of a sudden we aren’t lacking there
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Score line was what I thought it would be as the Kiwis playmakers are several steps above what Tonga has. Brandon Smith looks to continue on the Smith legacy in Melbourne for years to come, he's the real deal.
Tonga would be better off bringing Will Hopoate into the halves because the Lolohea/Asiata combo couldn't do much.
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I don't know why Benji should be embarrassed. He was proud to be back in black. What a legend
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I don't know why Benji should be embarrassed. He was proud to be back in black. What a legend
Agree, a massive legend, great to see so much pride in ones country.
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I don't know why Benji should be embarrassed. He was proud to be back in black. What a legend
Agree, a massive legend, great to see so much pride in ones country.
.....not only that just seems such a likeable fellow too and what a player in his day. I often wonder what would have happened had he and DC switched lives, I’ve got no doubt they would have been sensational in either code at their peak.
It’s a pretty sad indictment on league as a sport that this game gets mentioned in an NRL thread rather than have its own when every single Super match has a thread.
Are people on here a bit high brow to support it I wonder or is it a reflection on it in NZ in general ?
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@MN5 I don't think there's that many league fans on here, and even on the league forums it gets little mention (and that's mostly from non Kiwis who love the Tongan rise) - NRL and Origin dominate the sport to a startlingly stupid degree.
Anyway, good to see a coach finally have the sense to pick Benji and not come up with stupid reasons not to pick him. And he didn't overplay his hand, directed the team around mostly while allowing SJ to show a bit of flair when needed.
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I think the mature Benji is the perfect foil for Johnson ,
Where as the younger Benji , and Johnson together may have been a bit much of the same , or maybe that was the thinking at the time when it was decided he wasnt needed,
No doubt Benji is a kiwi great though, and as far as halves go , is up there with our best from my time of watching kiwi league , Ken Stirling , Shane Varley , Clayton Friend ,Gary freeman , Stacy jones , Benji
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Solomone Kata confirmed to be joining Melbourne Storm effective immediately. Good news for the Warriors as he was rubbish. All the best for him with the Storm though.
King, Kata and Grant sign with Storm
Melbourne Storm can confirm four changes to our NRL squad ahead of the June 30 signing deadline.
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@Sneakdefreak said in NRL 2019:
Solomone Kata confirmed to be joining Melbourne Storm effective immediately. Good news for the Warriors as he was rubbish. All the best for him with the Storm though.
King, Kata and Grant sign with Storm
Melbourne Storm can confirm four changes to our NRL squad ahead of the June 30 signing deadline.
If they turn him into a player I won't be surprised
