June Internationals
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@Paekakboyz said in June Internationals:
Wow, that is out of left field! Hadn't heard any goss about Francis being in the mix for England.
Not really. Once capped, always capped. Not that I think he was remotely in the "NZ Project Player" category, but they might as well shut the gate for good.
What are the odds on a solitary cap?
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@Billy-Tell said in June Internationals:
@Paekakboyz said in June Internationals:
Wow, that is out of left field! Hadn't heard any goss about Francis being in the mix for England.
Not really. Once capped, always capped. Not that I think he was remotely in the "NZ Project Player" category, but they might as well shut the gate for good.
What are the odds on a solitary cap?
Doubt they need to nail him in place for the sake of it. Eddie will have watched his play, known he is unlikely to be in the AB sights and made an approach. Francis is a pom and is going to play in the Premiership anyway. There is no need to secure him further.
I would be fairly sure that the overture from the England camp helped in his decision to return home though.
Good on him. He has taken a big risk moving to NZ to prove his credentials and it took him a while to fight his way up as well. Bit of good fortune moving to CM when Tana was going to the Blues but he no doubt worked hard to show his worth. Now he gets to go home and be an international player. -
Nah, Underhill is so last year.
It's all about the 18 year old Curry twins in the back row now. And Mercer who missed out here but was the star of the U20 6N.
Obviously a big eye on development with this squad with youngsters in for perhaps more deserving players in their mid 20's (Wade, Robson, Taylor etc). Eddie's certainly made the JWC more challenging by selecting 5 current U20s:
Ben Curry (back row)
Tom Curry (back row)
Nick Isiekwe (lock)
Jack Maunder (9)
Joe Cokanasiga (wing) -
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@Bovidae said in June Internationals:
So with Francis being released for England during the Super rugby break he won't be playing for the Blues against the Lions. The Blues game is on June 7 and the 1st test in Argentina is on June 10. West and Gatland in the squad.
The NZ Provincial Barbarians game is on June 4 and Gatland has been named in that squad. So I'd guess West starting, and maybe Gatland on the bench if he has recovered well from the game on the 4th. Assuming Perofeta, if healthy, will be with NZU20s. Who's next in line?
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@Bovidae said in June Internationals:
So with Francis being released for England during the Super rugby break he won't be playing for the Blues against the Lions. The Blues game is on June 7 and the 1st test in Argentina is on June 10. West and Gatland in the squad.
Good spotting.
Geez West is frustrating isn't he. He looks to have the necessaries to play Super Rugby well but just doesn't produce when he gets on the field. With a bit of confidence he could play like BB light but just seems to freeze up.
Maybe T will prime him up for this game and see if he can gain confidence from it? -
@Paekakboyz said in June Internationals:
Wow, that is out of left field! Hadn't heard any goss about Francis being in the mix for England.
Certainly not based on his Blues form.
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Depending who he puts in the matchday 23 Eddie seems keen to blood some youngsters. Suggests that he's looking beyond 2019, not for himself necessarily, but least with a view to ensuring a good deep selection pool of capped prospects for his successor.
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@Disgusted-of-TW said in June Internationals:
Depending who he puts in the matchday 23 Eddie seems keen to blood some youngsters. Suggests that he's looking beyond 2019, not for himself necessarily, but least with a view to ensuring a good deep selection pool of capped prospects for his successor.
I think it's more to do with his RWC plan. He has said he can't expect to win without depth unless very lucky and is trying to create that depth.
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Wow. Congrats Piers Francis. I think it's kinda awesome.
Ollie Jäger will be interested in that.
I'm ok with foreign players in SR, although having only 5 teams means someone needs to be really, really vigilant that there is no foreign build up in certain positions (ChrisB I recall pointed out this situation at tight head prop at the moment).
If nothing else, surely some foreigners helps with the overseas broadcast deals.
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Hi all, I have inserted the June match schedule in the first post and will keep it updated as much as possible. I'll include broadcast times & channels if games are televised or streamed if I can find that info.
If the moderators consider that appropriate, can this thread be pinned at the top, so everyone can easily find it?
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Wales game v Tonga has been moved from Nukualofa to Auckland, as the stadium isn't up to standard.
This happened back in March, so may have already been discussed while I was watching the cricket.
Tonga won't host rugby test against Wales
Wales' rugby test against Tonga in June will be staged in another country because of concerns over the suitability of the stadium in Nuku'alofa.
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Apparently Tonga haven't hosted a test at all since 2009 according to this article. I'm very surprised at that.
Tonga expected to announce stadium deal next week
Tonga's Deputy Prime Minister says he expects to announce a deal with a construction company to renovate the Teufaiva national stadium next week.
Was reading that NZ and Aus had given about $2m each for the stadium ref development, as Tonga are about to host the Pacific Games. PNG pledged $shitloads but haven't come through (yet).
Sport: Tongan officials still waiting on PNG help for Teufaiva Stadium
Organisers of the 2019 Pacific Games in Tonga says Papua New Guinea has yet to follow through on a promise to help refurbish Teufaiva National Stadium.
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@Rapido said in June Internationals:
Wales game v Tonga has been moved from Nukualofa to Auckland, as the stadium isn't up to standard.
There was a suggestion that the Tonga-Wales test might be the curtainraiser to the NZ-Samoa test in a double-header at Albany.
