Pacific Nations Cup General
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@African-Monkey said in Pacific Nations Cup General:
@ARHS said in Pacific Nations Cup General:
Just Alaalatoa McFarland and Paiaaua as lock-ins at this level.
Very disappointing squad indeed. But I note they got Lamositele to swap over to them.Don't think it's that disappointing. You're never gonna get the best squads inbetween world cups, so these are the times to expand your talent pool for the Island sides.
Good opportunity for some of the newer players to stake their claim.
The World Cup only happens once every four years. I understand the difficulties facing Samoa and Tonga but if you're only assembling a proper squad every four years then something is going terrible wrong.
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@Mr-Fish said in Pacific Nations Cup General:
@African-Monkey said in Pacific Nations Cup General:
@ARHS said in Pacific Nations Cup General:
Just Alaalatoa McFarland and Paiaaua as lock-ins at this level.
Very disappointing squad indeed. But I note they got Lamositele to swap over to them.Don't think it's that disappointing. You're never gonna get the best squads inbetween world cups, so these are the times to expand your talent pool for the Island sides.
Good opportunity for some of the newer players to stake their claim.
The World Cup only happens once every four years. I understand the difficulties facing Samoa and Tonga but if you're only assembling a proper squad every four years then something is going terrible wrong.
Not really. Not overly phased that a bunch of 35+ year old ex ABs players aren't in the side.
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@African-Monkey Charlie Faumuina is the only player at the 2023 World Cup that fits into that category so not really sure what your argument is?
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@Mr-Fish said in Pacific Nations Cup General:
@African-Monkey Charlie Faumuina is the only player at the 2023 World Cup that fits into that category so not really sure what your argument is?
Christian Leali'ifano? And guys like Luatua, Sopoaga, Taufua, To'omaga-Allen etc. Who are older Aren't really guys we need to see in this current squad.
Just because you haven't heard of some of the guys doesn't make it a waste of time.
Edit: Yeah sorry, Leali'ifano is a Wallaby but point still stands.
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There are a massive number of guys who are in the primes of their careers who haven't been named in the squad - I'm not talking about your Luatuas and Sopoagas. You're being incredibly disingenuous by implying that it's only over-the-hill/experienced players that have been omitted. The likes of Miracle Fai'alagi and Lalomilo Lalomilo (amongst a long list of others) would be massive additions to the team but are still fairly fresh to Test level and aren't suddenly going to be able to compete with the best of the best when the World Cup rolls around if they haven't cut their teeth in series like these.
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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
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@African-Monkey said in Pacific Nations Cup General:
@ARHS said in Pacific Nations Cup General:
Just Alaalatoa McFarland and Paiaaua as lock-ins at this level.
Very disappointing squad indeed. But I note they got Lamositele to swap over to them.Don't think it's that disappointing. You're never gonna get the best squads inbetween world cups, so these are the times to expand your talent pool for the Island sides.
Good opportunity for some of the newer players to stake their claim.
Think you are missing the point completely. Lots of younger and stronger players just don't seem interested. Count the MP players in there. Would have thought Failagi, Alainuese, Taumateine, Toala, Patafilo, S Lam for starters.
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@ARHS said in Pacific Nations Cup General:
@African-Monkey said in Pacific Nations Cup General:
@ARHS said in Pacific Nations Cup General:
Just Alaalatoa McFarland and Paiaaua as lock-ins at this level.
Very disappointing squad indeed. But I note they got Lamositele to swap over to them.Don't think it's that disappointing. You're never gonna get the best squads inbetween world cups, so these are the times to expand your talent pool for the Island sides.
Good opportunity for some of the newer players to stake their claim.
Think you are missing the point completely. Lots of younger and stronger players just don't seem interested. Count the MP players in there. Would have thought Failagi, Alainuese, Taumateine, Toala, Patafilo, S Lam for starters.
Yeah, fair, the NPC players could have been there, but they're not, so bring some new faces in and who knows, maybe we'll be talking more about those new faces in a years time to go with the guys mentioned, and they could also push for professinal contracts. It's not that big a deal.
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Ex-Hurricanes winger Salesi Rayasi named in 32-man Flying Fijians squad
Former Hurricanes winger Salesi Rayasi has taken another significant step towards Test honours with the Flying Fijians.
Flying Fijians 32-man squad
Forwards
Eroni Mawi
Luke Tagi
Haereiti Hetet
Mesake Doge
Peni Ravai
Tevita Ikanivere
Samuel Matavesi
Kavaia Tagivetaua
Isoa Nasilasila
Mesake Vocevoce
Temo Mayanavanua
Setareki Turagacoke
Viliame Mata
Elia Canakaivata
Lekima Tagitagivalu
Albert Tuisue
Etonia Waqa
Motikai MurrayBacks
Simione Kuruvoli
Philip Baselala
Sam Wye
Caleb Muntz
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
Vilimoni Botitu
Josua Tuisova
Iosefo Balewairiki
Sireli Maqala
Kalaveti Ravouvou
Ponipate Loganimasi
Jiuta Wainiqolo
Selestino Ravutaumada
Salesi Rayasi -
@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.
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@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
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NZ Rugby says it isn't blocking Pacific heritage players from representing island nations
The union made the comment following claims from the Flying Fijians head coach that some Super Rugby contracts include clauses requiring players to remain eligible for the All Blacks.
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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. -
@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.
