All Blacks vs Tonga
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The Pacific Legends have unveiled a squad stacked with fire-power and big names from the recent past for their clash against the New Zealand Barbarians in Hamilton on Saturday 7 September.
Coached by Tana Umaga, the Pacific Legends squad features former internationals from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia, recently retired sevens stars, and even a former rugby league star in the form of Lesley ‘The Volcano’ Vainikolo.Pacific Legends Squad:
Inoke Afeaki, Tomasi Cama, Graham Dewes, DJ Forbes, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, Frank Halai, Jeff Ierome, Roy Kinikinilau, Nili Latu, Filipo Levi, Lua Lokotui, Laisa Maasi, Deacon Manu, Seilala Mapusua, Onehunga Mata’uiau, Luke Mealamu, Mikaele Pesamino, Junior Poluleuigaga, John Senio, Semo Sititi, Hale T Pole, Justin Va’a, To’o Vaega, Samiu Vahafolau, Lesley Vainikolo, Silao Vaisola-Sefo, Tanner Vili, Gavin Williams, Radike Samo
Coach: Tana Umaga
The all-star clash will kick off at 12.10pm at FMG Stadium Waikato prior to the All Blacks vs Tonga match at 2.35pm. Get your TICKETS HERE.The driving force behind the curtain raiser is the MaiBody, MaiFuture health project launched by the Pacific Rugby Players (PRP) last year that sees high profile rugby players role modelling healthier lifestyles to fight obesity and diabetes.
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"We won't risk anyone who's 50-50, or even 80-20," Hansen told a press conference in Hamilton.
"If we could play all 31 members in the weekend, that's what we'd do. But we're only allowed to play 23. So we're going to have to make some hard decisions, because not all of them can play."
@sparky said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
"We won't risk anyone who's 50-50, or even 80-20," Hansen told a press conference in Hamilton.
"If we could play all 31 members in the weekend, that's what we'd do. But we're only allowed to play 23. So we're going to have to make some hard decisions, because not all of them can play."
More great insight coming from Steve...
I don’t think Whitelock will start or perhaps even play.
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It's a gamble playing any player that is a starter v SA IMO. Honestly throwing J Barrett in at 10 might not be the worst idea if there is any possibility of him playing there during the RWC (not an endorsement of him playing there just being pragmatic).
With respect to Tonga I doubt we will gain much from playing our top team unless we are injury free and can comfortably sub key players early.
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Reading through the thread, does anyone actually think this test is a good idea? It seems like a good way of turning the 100% fit players into 50:50s if you ask me. And I’m not sure a test vs Tonga in The Tron will prepare any undercooked players for a World Cup test vs the Springboks in Tokyo. No offence to Tonga.
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Reading through the thread, does anyone actually think this test is a good idea? It seems like a good way of turning the 100% fit players into 50:50s if you ask me. And I’m not sure a test vs Tonga in The Tron will prepare any undercooked players for a World Cup test vs the Springboks in Tokyo. No offence to Tonga.
@JC said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Reading through the thread, does anyone actually think this test is a good idea? It seems like a good way of turning the 100% fit players into 50:50s if you ask me. And I’m not sure a test vs Tonga in The Tron will prepare any undercooked players for a World Cup test vs the Springboks in Tokyo. No offence to Tonga.
It's a survival exercise
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Reading through the thread, does anyone actually think this test is a good idea? It seems like a good way of turning the 100% fit players into 50:50s if you ask me. And I’m not sure a test vs Tonga in The Tron will prepare any undercooked players for a World Cup test vs the Springboks in Tokyo. No offence to Tonga.
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@JC I do, but a fair bit of what could be gained is lost if Mounga can't play. That system still needs practice. Likewise midfield combos, and 9/10, and lifting with nepo etc. Lots of stuff that needs to bed in.
@reprobate said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@JC I do, but a fair bit of what could be gained is lost if Mounga can't play. That system still needs practice. Likewise midfield combos, and 9/10, and lifting with nepo etc. Lots of stuff that needs to bed in.
Agree. Calculated risk to bed in some of the training field work. Can't go into the SA game wondering if the work you are doing will pay off.
It may risk some players' bodies but will benefit their minds. -
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@DrivingMaul Do you know when the ABs are training this week? I might go down and have a look.
@Bovidae Sorry I don't. I get media access for Mitre 10 Cup but not Super Rugby or All Blacks
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Yeah - the Bled test was 17 August - the SA pool game is 21 September.
Can't go into that game having not played for a month.
I think we will see something close to the top team - minus injuries (Mo'unga, Goodhue and Retallick).
Moody, Coles, Laulala
Whitelock, Barrett
Savea, Cane, Read
Smith, Barrett
SBW, Crotty
Bridge, R. Ioane, SmithTuúngafasi, Taylor, Taávao, Tuipolotu, Todd, Perenara, Josh Ioane, Lienert-Brown
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New Zealand Barbarian Legends team in alphabetical order: *
Mana Ashford
Monty Betham
Jason Chandler
Loki Crichton
Dave Dillon
Rhys Duggan
Ross Filipo
Troy Flavell
Corey Flynn
Rico Gear
Craig Glendinning
Jarod Hoeata
Tony Koonwaiyou
Tone Kopelani
Wairangi Koopu
Johnny Leo'o
Slade McFarlane
Cameron McIntyre
Matt Mustchin
Sonny Parker
Matua Parkinson
Kevin Senio
Chris Smylie
Carlos Spencer
Sherwin Stowers
Rua Tipoki
Ofisa Tonu’u
Tane Tu’ipolotu
Scott Waldrom
Ruben Wiki*Teams not limited to this list
Coach: Sir Michael Jones
Team Support: Mils Muliaina
Team Support: Eroni Clarke
Team Doctor: Jeremy StanleyA star-studded line-up of mates will join forces on the field and reconnect off it in a bid to raise awareness of diabetes and obesity in Maori and Pacific Islanders when the NZ Barbarian Legends take on the Pacific Legends in Hamilton on Saturday 7 September.The highly anticipated spectacle will see 11 former All Blacks and multiple past New Zealand internationals take the field against an outstanding team of ex-Pacific internationals in the curtain raiser to the All Blacks v Tonga match at 12.10pm at FMG Waikato Stadium.League legends Monty Betham, Ruben Wiki and Wairangi Koopu will turn their hands to rugby in what is expected to be a highly physical encounter.http://www.allblacks.com/News/34658/eleven-former-all-blacks-lace-up-for-nz-barbarian-legends
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looking at the team lists, i am honestly more interested in watching the curtain raiser then the "test"
This is a tune up game. The top 23 have to play as much as possible. But then we have to hope no one gets hurt. Everything to lose, fuck all to gain. A necessary evil.
That horrible mix of going through the motions without revealing anything, but not going soft enough that you get hurt (or lit the fuck up by a fired up Tongan).
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@Rembrandt Live on SS1 before the AB test.
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It's going to rain all week this week with rain on Saturday.
AB's are going to have a nice pitch to play on after that curtain raiser...
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The NZ Barbarian legends have 4 halfbacks in their squad. 20 mins each I suppose as Tonu'u hasn't gotten any smaller in retirement.
@Bovidae maybe he is propping?
