SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs)
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The Mako Nation is playing Cook Islands tomorrow at 1 pm. The Ta$man High Performance XV is named on this site and the game is to be livestreamed here as well. (Can't cut and paste the team - the file is too big and I can't be arsed reducing it) - but, good to see Jack Grooby back.
Other significant point of interest might be Campbell Parata at 1st five.
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@machpants said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):
@daffy-jaffy said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):
In the opening round of the Rugby Africa Cup, a competition that makes up part of the Rugby World Cup 2023 qualifying process, the Ivory Coast registered a 24-13 victory over Namibia, whilst Senegal defeated Kenya 20-19. It was a late converted try for Senegal that ultimately proved decisive as they claimed victory over a side more than 20 places above them in the World Rugby Rankings.
Oh gawd imagine having Ivory Coast or Senegal in your pool. 102-0 … but at half time!
Africa 1 is on our pool for 2023.
I was thinking it would be good to have a different African qualifier for first time in 20 odd years, but, yeah, nah, not this time please.
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Tonga scrambling to make up the numbers for Cook Islands clash
Tonga is struggling to find enough players to take on the Cook Islands in Saturday's Rugby World Cup qualifying match in Auckland.
The 'Ikale Tahi capped 17 new players during tests against the All Blacks and Samoa this month, with most of their European based stars unavailable because of Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Thirty players were in camp ahead of last weekend's second test against Samoa - a World Cup qualifier - in Hamilton, but injuries and unavailability have depleted their squad further, with just 27 players in the mix to play on Saturday afternoon.
Hooker Siua Maile, lock Harrison Mataele and number eight Nasi Manu picked up a knock during Saturday's 37-15 defeat in Kirikiriroa, joining Solomone Funaki and Zane Kapeli on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Maama Vaipulu has returned to his day job as a builder, Kali Hala has a family bereavement and Aisea Halo is back with the North Harbour NPC team.There is some good news, however. Tonga's only fit lock, Don Lolo, who also had to return to work this week, will rejoin the camp on Thursday and is available to play on Saturday.
Former Tonga Under-20s lock Kelemete Finau and ex New Zealand Under 20s number eight Tovo Faleafa have joined the squad this week, while Waikato Development centre Paula Mahe and Bay of Plenty based lock Semisi Paea have been elevated to the full squad after training with the team in recent weeks.
Waikato Development hooker Anton Milnes is also training with the squad in Cambridge.
While it's not good that they have to scrape the barrel in NZ to find enough players, they're only playing the Cook Islands, who also have to rely on club rugby players. -
@stargazer said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):
ex New Zealand Under 20s number eight Tovo Faleafa
Think he was playing for Grammar TEC last year, and in the Auckland wider training group. Any idea who he's playing for now?
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@stargazer said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):
Waikato Development hooker Anton Milnes is also training with the squad in Cambridge.
He's Tongan? Who knew.
I am surprised that Sekope Lopeti-Moli wasn't asked. Unless he was, and declined.
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@machpants said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):
@daffy-jaffy said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):
In the opening round of the Rugby Africa Cup, a competition that makes up part of the Rugby World Cup 2023 qualifying process, the Ivory Coast registered a 24-13 victory over Namibia, whilst Senegal defeated Kenya 20-19. It was a late converted try for Senegal that ultimately proved decisive as they claimed victory over a side more than 20 places above them in the World Rugby Rankings.
Oh gawd imagine having Ivory Coast or Senegal in your pool. 102-0 … but at half time!
But if they're better than Nambia why wish for Namibia?
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South Africa and Sale Sharks to lose injured Faf de Klerk
South Africa have received a major blow to their Autumn Series prospects with the news that Faf de Klerk is facing five months out injured.
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Reports: Michael Cheika tipped to replace Mario Ledesma as Los Pumas boss
Former Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika is reportedly set to replace Mario Ledesma as Los Pumas boss according to multiple reports.
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Australia A to participate in Pacific Nations Cup in July
Rugby Australia has committed to sending an Australia A squad to Fiji to participate in the Pacific Nations Cup this July.
At the invitation of World Rugby, Rugby Australia has committed to sending an Australia A squad to Fiji to participate in the Pacific Nations Cup this July.
The development squad will play three matches against Samoa on 2 July in Suva, Fiji on 9 July in Lautoka, before completing their tournament against Tonga on 16 July – also in Lautoka.
All three Pacific Island nations will field their Test teams.
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World Rugby media release about the Pacific Nations Cup:
Pacific Nations Cup returns in July for its 15th edition | World Rugby
The World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 2022 is returning after a three-year absence and will feature four teams from the Pacific region in Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Australia A.
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By the way, I hope that Tau Koloamatangi has official clearance from World Rugby to play for Tonga, as he has played for Hong Kong in Nov/December 2019 (so the 3-year stand-down period for changing Nations has not been completed, yet). That is only possible if World Rugby has officially stated that Koloamatangi wasn't eligible to play for Hong Kong, when he did.
Tonga has to play a RWC qualfier in July and, obviously, fielding an ineligible player would have terrible consequences, as Spain has again experienced, recently.
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@Stargazer I was going to ask where Charles Piutau was, but figured out that he was Salesi Piutau.
Not a bad team. On paper, that backline looks pretty lethal. I'm skeptical if they'll actually be that good on attack though, because there aren't many noted passers in the backline.
Now I'm interested to see who Samoa select.
