Pre-RWC test matches
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@Siam said in Pre-RWC test matches:
A bit late but I watched a bit of that England v Ireland game and have been worrisome ever since.
If us kiwis got all excited by the performance in Bled 2, then the English must be beside themselves, because I for one thought they (the English) looked frikken incredible!!!
A performance better than ours I'd say! gulp
Can someone please offer a reason not to be bloody fearful at what Eddie the stats man has compiled in Old Blighty a month before the big dance?
Shit they looked good....
I assume England further ahead in their prep as they need to be at peak for pool match 2 in pool if death.
Ireland probably prepping for quarter final.
Even in these pre RWC tests, Eng are 1 match further along .
But ....... Eng look good.
Ireland however, should be rightly concerned at their trajectory since last November.
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If Ireland beat Wales B this weekend by more than 15 they go to number 1.
Would you stake your money on England or Ireland in a rematch....?
I’m intrigued to see how this match plays out tbh. Schmidt has all but changed the whole team.
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New Zealand Heartland XV Coach Mark Rutene has named his side to face Manu Samoa in their historic clash at Eden Park this weekend.
The Pasifika Challenge II will see an international double header, with the New Zealand Heartland XV taking on Manu Samoa (kick off 2pm) followed by Tonga v Fiji.
The New Zealand Heartland XV is:
- Carl Carmichael (King Country)
- Troy Tauwhare (West Coast)
- Scott Cameron (Horowhenua Kapiti)
- Josh Clark (North Otago)
- Campbell Hart (Wanganui)
- Brett Ranga – captain (Thames Valley)
- Seta Koritamana (Mid Canterbury)
- Jeff Lepa (Buller)
- William Wright (South Canterbury)
- James Lash (Buller)
- Willie Paiaaua (Horowhenua Kapiti)
- Sione Holani (West Coast)
- Peni Nabainvalu (Wanganui)
- Harry Lafituanai (Thames Valley)
- Craig Clare (Wanganui)
- Glen McIntrye (Thames Valley)
- Ralph Darling (North Otago)
- Meli Kolinisau (North Otago)
- James Goodger (Wairarapa Bush)
- Aaron Lahmert (Horowhenua Kapiti)
- Lindsay Horrocks (Wanganui)
- Timoci Serawalu (Horowhenua Kapiti)
- Kalavini Leatigaga (South Canterbury)
The squad assembled in Auckland on Monday after the opening round of the Mitre 10 Heartland Championship last weekend.
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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.
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@Stargazer That number 17 for the 'Ikale Tahi looks to be a familiar name. Any oil on who it is thanks?
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@MiketheSnow said in Pre-RWC test matches:
Navidi set to get the captain's armband for Wales v Ireland this Saturday
The son of an Iranian wrestler who is now set to captain Wales
Josh Navidi is set to be handed the honour of captaining Wales
That’s very cool.
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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.
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.
