Pasifika SR team

NTA

@Machpants I tried to like that and it said "Forbidden".

Which works on a number of levels

Stargazer

So who's going to be available for the Pasifika team? I'm thinking that it will mainly be NPC players without Super Rugby contracts, wider training group/injury cover SR players, and fringe SR squad members.

It depends entirely on whether they've set eligibility criteria for this team and what those criteria are. Nothing has been published about that. For example, will they exclude players who are not eligible to play for Tonga/Samoa/(Fiji)/other PI nations? If players are contracted to a SR franchise, it doesn't matter whether they're fringe squad members. If they're still under contract, they'll be unavailable, unless their current franchise is willing to release them (with NZR's permission).

Some of these players below may be re-signed by their current SR franchise.

Some (Blues region and Counties Manukau centered) possibilities:

Jarred Adams
Marco Fepulea'i
James Lay
Jordan Lay
Ezekiel Lindenmuth
Joe Apikotoa
Fatongia Paea

Leni Apisai
Ray Niuia
Mike Sosene-Feagai - USA capped
Donald Maka

~~Kane Le'aupepe~~ retired

Niko Jones
Alamanda Motuga
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
Sione Tuipulotu
Murphy Taramai
Samipeni Finau
Jesse Parete - has he returned from Japan?
Josh Kaifa

Taufa Funaki
Danny Tusitala
Jonathan Taumateine
Lisati Milo-Harris

Orbyn Leger
Latiume Fosita

Danny Toala
Vince Aso
Inga Finau
Antonio Mikaele-Tu'u
Ray Nu'u
Stacey Ili
James Little
Michael Little - currently playing in Japan
James Tofa
Neria Fomai
Josiah Maraku

Lolagi Visinia - NZ capped (via sevens)
Salesi Rayasi - NZ capped (via sevens)
Freedom Vahaakolo
Tevita Nabura

Chase Tiatia

There's probably a few from BOP, Ta$man, Wellington etc that I'm missing. They could also get some non-pacific players too, especially at lock.

Rapido

I dont care at all if it dilutes NZs depth at SR level.

I care that it is structurally certain that this team will be the weakest nz team each year. Because they're fishing in the same pool as 5 other teams but they've lost their bait.

They are the nz version of that team from Port Elizabeth who's name I've forgotten already . Where SARU stashed all their players of colour who weren't good enough for the other teams.

Billy Tell

4 options here for NZRU IMO. To play for ABs

Must play for one of the 5 NZ sides
Must play super rugby, any of the 12 sides is fine
NZ sides or Moana Pasifika
NZ sides or MP or the Fijian side

I'd favour the first 2 options myself

Tim

It's also worth looking at last year's Moana Pasifika squad:

Moana Pasifika squad 2020 (Mitre 10 Cup team in brackets)

FORWARDS

Alamanda Motuga * (Counties Manukau)
Daniel Leinert-Brown (Canterbury)
Gerard Cowley-Tuioti (North Harbour)
Jordan Lay * (Bay of Plenty)
Leni Apisai (Auckland)
Marino Mikaele-Tu’u (Hawke’s Bay)
~~Michael Alaalatoa~~ * (Manawatu)
Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Wellingto)
Nasi Manu * (Otago)
Pita Gus Sowakula (Taranaki)
Samipeni Finau (Waikato)
Samisoni Taukie'aho (Waikato)
Sione Mafielo (North Harbour)
Zane Kapeli * (Bay of Plenty)

BACKS

Asaeli Tikoroituma * (North Harbour)
Dwyane Polataivao * ( Ta$man)
Etene Nanai-Seturo ** (Counties Manukau)
Fetuli Paea * ( Ta$man)
Folau Fakatava (Hawke’s Bay)
Jone Macilai (Northland)
Josh Ioane * (Otago)
Leicester Fainga'anuku ( Ta$man)
Salesi Rayasi ** (Auckland)
Stephen Perofeta (Taranaki)
Tomasi Alosio **(Wellington)
Vince Aso (Wellington)

*Test Capped Player
** 7s Capped Player
Etene Nanai-Seturo - NZ
Salesi Rayasi - NZ
Tomasi Alosio - Samoa

nzzp

@tim said in Pasifika SR team:

It's also worth looking at last year's Moana Pasifika squad:

The team has to be a compelling proposition too - not just for the feelz, but you need good admin, facilities and coaching to entice good players. It's what underpins Crusaders success, and we've seen it with the Blues and Chiefs -- good coaching attracts good players.

Tim

@nzzp

Be interesting to try and make a team from the players posted above. I would expect them to only pick up a hand few of the super rugby players from last year's Moana Pasifika squad. They have mentioned Steven Luatua a lot though.

If I'm being optimistic:

1 Daniel Leinert-Brown
2 Samisoni Taukie'aho
3 Sione Mafielo
4 Naitoa Ah Kuoi
5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
6 Steven Luatua
7 Niko Jones
8 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u

9 Jonathan Taumateine
10 Josh Ioane
11 Salesi Rayasi
12 Chase Tiatia
13 Vince Aso
14 Tevita Nabura
15 Stephen Perofeta

16 Leni Apisai
17 James Lay
18 Marco Fepulea'i/ Joe Apikotoa/Jarred Adams/ Jordan Lay
19 ? Locks are a problem, maybe Filo Paulo
20 Samipeni Finau
21 Lisati Milo-Harris
22 Orbyn Leger
23 Lolagi Visinia

nzzp

@tim that smokes the Highlanders, takes depth from the Blues, and seriously disrupts other teams.

I think the key question is whether we have enough quality rugby players in the country and the Islands to sustain 6 teams. We have struggled in NZ with 5 ... the weak 5th team has been pretty clear, and shared around. Hell in 1996 it was the Crusaders.

It is possibly a good thing IF we stop losing players overseas. If you could keep NZ developed rugby players here, 6 teams would be a doddle. But I can't see it happening, and I still can't see the step up from islanders in the islands into Super. It's a massive, massive jump.

I hope it works, I'm just not confident, and it has a risk of damaging teams, provinces and people on the way through (Vikings anyone?)

nzzp

@tim also, Orbyn on the bench vs starting at the Canes. Oh, my sides

Crucial

@tim said in Pasifika SR team:

@nzzp

Be interesting to try and make a team from the players posted above. I would expect them to only pick up a hand few of the super rugby players from last year's Moana Pasifika squad. They have mentioned Steven Luatua a lot though.

I can't see Luatua throwing in his Bristol salary for this but it would be great if he did.

Tim

Ere Enari is another who might go to them.

Crucial

I'll throw some names about. Haven't researched current contracts etc but am guessing that they may either be happy to move back or could be at the end of a bigger contract and ready to come home. Let me know where I am off the mark.

Motu Matu'u
Fio Paulo
TJ Ioane
Jack Lam
Pele Cowley
TNW

Maybe both Lay brothers?

I'm guessing that there are others scattered through lower divisions in UK/Europe that may trade to a similar pay here if the only left because they couldn't crack a NZ Super team.

mikedogz

They may attract guys like Luatua back home. I hope they can attract guys that are test capped for Island teams and left NZ because I am pretty sure there is a limt on how many overseas capped players in a NZ squad. Counties had a few guys that were test capped and they left probably because their choices were limited in NZ. Guys like Ahsee Tuala, Rey Lee-Lo, TNW, etc.

As a counties fan I hope our island boys that left, come back and play for these guys and for counties in the NPC. This will be my other team that I will support.

Stargazer

Two Hawke's Bay players; Fomai currently with the Highlanders:

Neria Fomai is Samoa capped - midfield
Solomone Funaki is Tonga capped - backrow, preferably openside

Tim

@crucial Chris Vui (6/lock) might be another one.

Tim

@mikedogz said in Pasifika SR team:

I hope they can attract guys that are test capped for Island teams and left NZ because I am pretty sure there is a limt on how many overseas capped players in a NZ squad. Counties had a few guys that were test capped and they left probably because their choices were limited in NZ. Guys like Ahsee Tuala, Rey Lee-Lo, TNW, etc.

I saw this comment recently from Pacific Rugby Players chief executive, Aayden Clarke:

There are limited opportunities in New Zealand and Australia because of the eligibility quotas in place. At the moment, players and their families have to go a long way offshore to earn a living. So quite simply, it would provide another option. There are many players we work with who love the opportunity to get away and live in Paris, UK or experience living in Japan and whatnot. It gives them a great lifestyle and experience. But at the moment that is the only option, so the ability to be a professional and stay closer to home and earn a living in this part of the world is hugely important.

Machpants

@mikedogz said in Pasifika SR team:

They may attract guys like Luatua back home. I hope they can attract guys that are test capped for Island teams and left NZ because I am pretty sure there is a limt on how many overseas capped players in a NZ squad. Counties had a few guys that were test capped and they left probably because their choices were limited in NZ. Guys like Ahsee Tuala, Rey Lee-Lo, TNW, etc.

As a counties fan I hope our island boys that left, come back and play for these guys and for counties in the NPC. This will be my other team that I will support.

How? Half a session of rugby, maybe a tenth the pay for Luatua, he's Captain of Bristol and on a bomb. Why would those sort of guys come back? And he still can't play for a PI team once he's here. Unless moana drag some serious talent from the islands, this is going to be kick in the teeth for the quality of NZ SR sides.

Crucial

@machpants said in Pasifika SR team:

@mikedogz said in Pasifika SR team:

They may attract guys like Luatua back home. I hope they can attract guys that are test capped for Island teams and left NZ because I am pretty sure there is a limt on how many overseas capped players in a NZ squad. Counties had a few guys that were test capped and they left probably because their choices were limited in NZ. Guys like Ahsee Tuala, Rey Lee-Lo, TNW, etc.

As a counties fan I hope our island boys that left, come back and play for these guys and for counties in the NPC. This will be my other team that I will support.

How? Half a session of rugby, maybe a tenth the pay for Luatua, he's Captain of Bristol and on a bomb. Why would those sort of guys come back? And he still can't play for a PI team once he's here. Unless moana drag some serious talent from the islands, this is going to be kick in the teeth for the quality of NZ SR sides.

What we are saying is that there are some reasonable quality players overseas because they can't work in NZ under the current rules and may like to return as this team won't have the cap on foreign players that NZ teams does.

Machpants

@crucial I think we'll see (relatively) low quality players stay behind, cos their earnings won't be so far different. But the majority of the decent players will do the right thing for them and their family, play in NH for the money, and they can still play internationals.

Edit: I hope I'm wrong but I'm really worried about this

Bovidae

I doubt that Jerome Kaino, John Afoa, Joe Rokocoko and co will be recommending that any of their PI player friends come back to play for Moana Pasifika.

The Silver Fern

Pasifika SR team