Pasifika SR team

SBW1

@nepia What is happening regards to rep duties, can the y still choose to represent the Wallabies or All Blacks?

Nepia

@nepia What is happening regards to rep duties, can the y still choose to represent the Wallabies or All Blacks?

This has been discussed multiple times throughout this thread.

Obviously the all ready played for the PIs can't (and they seem to be a large portion of signings so far). The spaces for non qualified for the PIs are limited. The grey area is for PI qualified who have represented the PIs yet (like Ere Enari, Danny Toala), but representing MP doesn't lock you into a PI.

taniwharugby

@nepia said in Pasifika SR team:

but representing MP doesn't lock you into a PI.

although someone posted earlier, this is something they are trying to get made into a thing so this ties them to Tonga/Samoa (they didnt mention Cook Islands though I dont think...) not sure how that'd work though.

Nepia

@taniwharugby said in Pasifika SR team:

@nepia said in Pasifika SR team:

but representing MP doesn't lock you into a PI.

although someone posted earlier, this is something they are trying to get made into a thing so this ties them to Tonga/Samoa, not sure how that'd work though.

It would be impossible wouldn't it? It's not a National body.

taniwharugby

@nepia yeah no idea, I expect so, plus I think if it did they would stop some of the young guys on the fence from signing, not to mention (I edited after) Cook Islands, would that mean you play for MP you get to choose which of the 3 teams you play for...

Nepia

@taniwharugby said in Pasifika SR team:

@nepia yeah no idea, I expect so, plus I think if it did they would stop some of the young guys on the fence from signing, not to mention (I edited after) Cook Islands, would that mean you play for MP you get to choose which of the 3 teams you play for...

Haha, yeah Orbyn Leger will qualify for all of the teams.

I'm unsure if Toala or Enari would sign for them if it locks them into Samoa. They're both pretty far away from the ABs currently but that can change pretty quickly.

Higgins

@nepia Toala would have to wait for Billy Proctor to fall out of favour first and for all AB supporters sake I hope that this is sooner rather than later. Foster cannot be that poor a selector could he?

Steven Harris

Lock in all of these guys
Jonathan Taumateine
Manu Paea
Sam Slade
Ezekiel Lindenmuth
Tima Fainga’anuku

There is apparently up to 8 Hawkes Bay players according to my source ..
What’s the run count at the minute ..?

Stargazer

@steven-harris

Thus far, we have 6:
Enari
McClutchie
Fomai
Funaki
Toala
Visinia

Maybe 'Apikotoa and Kaifa? Unless they've managed to sign IWL, too, and he hasn't re-signed with the Canes?

Don't think Kianu Kereru-Symes is PI eligible, but McClutchie isn't either ... Same with Namatahi Waa.

Steven Harris

@stargazer I was thinking about all the guys you mentioned
They still need at least 2 more props , another hooker , Slade is more of a utility IWL would be very handy having a bit of size and bulk in the middle row

African Monkey

@steven-harris I would assume that Siua Maile could be the last hooker spot for them?

Steven Harris

@african-monkey not sure .

Number 10

Joe Apikotoa has gone from Chiefs to MP.

I believe Isaia Walker-Leawere is still with the Canes.

Steven Harris

@number-10
Good intel , heard Levi Amua has also signed with MP as well.

Bovidae

@number-10 said in Pasifika SR team:

Joe Apikotoa has gone from Chiefs to MP.

He was only an injury replacement player this year so unlikely to get a full contract for 2022 unless 7 props were selected. MP would make sense.

Nogusta

@nogusta said in Pasifika SR team:

Pretty sure these guys are definites as well
Ezekiel Lindenmuth
Solomon Kata
Levi Aumua
Manu Paea
Alex McRobbie

NTA

Not sure if relevant but put it here anyway.

https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=5138415986175623&id=219981801352424

Stargazer

@nta Tracy Atiga is a lying, opportunistic dragon. I don't believe even half of what she says.

NTA

@stargazer said in Pasifika SR team:

@nta Tracy Atiga is a lying, opportunistic dragon. I don't believe even half of what she says.

The phrase "million dollar salary" was a red flag but I wasn't even aware other consortiums were in the running.

I'm always a little wary when NZR is getting stick from representatives of the Islands.
OTOH you look at how the Islands are faring as Test nations despite their massive talent pool... A lot of talent being warehoused in other places.
I'm not saying anyone is 100% right or wrong, but it isn't an ideal situation.

Of course, then you look at venality of the Island Unions and think how they are their own worst enemies at times...

Kiwiwomble

personally i don't think the whole process was as transparent as it could have been, and at a superficial level i liked the idea of a team in Hawaii rather than show horning another into auckland....but....claim they would have been able to pay players +$1m...certainly seems fantastical enough for me to doubt the rest of what they claim was locked in

I also dont think NZR would put some sort of maniacal control of PI rugby ahead of making shit loads of money from loads of new sponsors which is the only way i can see they are claiming to have so much money, its not like they can ever expect to have 80-100k memberships or something like the AFL teams

I also very much doubt the esteemed journalists that they are fact checked any of these claims

The Silver Fern

Pasifika SR team