Pacific Nations Cup General

[African Monkey]

@Fredsaua12 said in Pacific Nations Cup General:

Joel Lam has been playing Rugby League in Australia this season so it’s very interesting to see him selected. Shows there is a lack of depth in key positions

A bit like when they would pick Danny Tusitala last year after he'd been playing U85s for Ponsonby.

[Landers92]

@Fredsaua12 said in Pacific Nations Cup General:

Joel Lam has been playing Rugby League in Australia this season so it’s very interesting to see him selected. Shows there is a lack of depth in key positions

Yup. Played a cross code pre season game here, liked it and joined the league club they played. Had a handful of games for them before linking up with a team in Aus. He is now back playing club rugby in Christchurch

[cgrant]

No Abraham Papali'i (Castres Olympique) is a surprise to me. He is a huge Nr.8 (194 cm, 126 kg) and has been used all year long as a human bulldozer in the Top 14.

[mikedogz]

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/564626/nz-rugby-says-it-isn-t-blocking-pacific-heritage-players-from-representing-island-nations?fbclid=IwY2xjawLBpyBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFteXFqSFB6S29paFRYZkJuAR56NyEMbJglPh8JHezD5UiZWFzinqSq7lGKtEnZw7gBG7qj_1JSAk1fr3z-iA_aem_68M2REScQ7HYW99r7PWq9w

[gt12]

Fuck off Mick.
If a player is getting over their market amount to stay in NZ, on the basis that they make themselves eligible for the ABs, then wait in line or ask them to play for the Drua.
If these guys want to be paid as being eligible for Fiji, they should make that clear and we'll pay them accordingly.

[Nepia]

@gt12 said in Pacific Nations Cup General:

Fuck off Mick.
If a player is getting over their market amount to stay in NZ, on the basis that they make themselves eligible for the ABs, then wait in line or ask them to play for the Drua.
If these guys want to be paid as being eligible for Fiji, they should make that clear and we'll pay them accordingly.

It's a bit fucking rich to claim we pick players from multiple countries when one of the guys he's whining about is a born and bred NZer.

[ARHS]

Ezekiel Lindenmuth left Samoa for USA squad.

[booboo]

I fully expect that there is an incentive reflected in remuneration for players who remain eligible for NZ.

Mick is essentially asking players to take a pay cut to play for another country.

[Tim]

Samoa has been a shit show with admin and coaches in recent times.

[ARHS]

Charlie Lawrence from Hamilton BHS in Japan squad. No sign of Kaivelata yet, but they are clearing out their props, so I expect he will get picked once eligible.

[Bovidae]

@ARHS said in Pacific Nations Cup General:

Charlie Lawrence from Hamilton BHS in Japan squad.

That's not a name that I remember. I see he is a midfielder.

[African Monkey]

Willis Halahalo has been called up to the Tonga squad, making a switch from Wales.

[mikedogz]

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/567215/first-priority-should-be-samoa-or-tonga-pacific-rugby-players-choose-club-over-country?fbclid=IwY2xjawLlpJVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHlYGsxiyEz9ByJCP9qEi8QPBWyD7aY8y5PXAKWgvEsK-B1yK4BwmSMWnlWdu_aem_Tv-f8uHQv1FhmHMZY0fPYQ

[Bovidae]

Maliu Niuafe is also part of the USA squad along with Shilo Klein and Ezekiel Lindenmuth. Another prop that Auckland could do with now.

[Bovidae]

Results today:

[ARHS]

Geez that Canada result is a huge upset

[Mr Fish]

Two big upsets...

Potentially big ramifications for RWC qualification too.

[WoodysRFC]

That Tonga team steamrolled Samoa too, completely outmuscled and outplayed.

[ACT Crusader]

Samoa defence wasn’t too bad but their attack really struggled to string anything together.

Tonga didn’t have to do too much and just kept things tight.

Watched that UsA v Canada match and Canada were pretty impressive. Their 9/10 combo moved the ball swiftly and they had some big bodies getting past the gain line with relative ease.

[African Monkey]

@WoodysRFC said in Pacific Nations Cup General:

That Tonga team steamrolled Samoa too, completely outmuscled and outplayed.

They did. Samoa were dominated in contact, at breakdown and at set piece.