2017 November Internationals

[taniwharugby]

@bovidae yep, been playing in Italy for a while now.

edit - just checked, since 2012!

[Stargazer]

@bones I don't know whether they still play by that rule; last week's Baabaas men's team had several uncapped players on the bench, in fact, they had only one capped player in the reserves (Ben Franks).

[Stargazer]

This is what I love about the Barbarians. Entertaining rugby played by past, present and future stars combined with complete and utter nonsense!

[Stargazer]

Tongan team to take on the Barbarians:

1 Paea Fa’anunu (Dax)
2 Sione Lea (Taranaki)
3 Ben Tameifuna (Racing 92)
4 Halaleva Fifita (Waikato)
5 Steven Mafi (Vc) (Castres)
6 Dan Faleafa (Colomiers)
7 Fotu Lokotui (Counties)
8 Maama Vaipulu (Castres)
9 Sonatane Takulua (c) (Newcastle)
10 Kali Hala (Counties)
11 Cooper Vuna (unattached)
12 Tevita Taufu’i (Waikato)
13 Nafe Tu’itavake (Northampton)
14 Tevita Halaifonua (Gloucester)
15 ‘Atieli Pakalani (Leicester)

Reserves:
16 Maile Ngauamo (Gloucester)
17 Latu Talakai (Waikato)
18 Halani ‘Aulika (Sale)
19 ‘Onehunga Havili (Western Force)
20 Sione Vailanu (Saracens Storm)
21 Shinisuke Tu’umoto’oa (Daito Bunka University, Japan)
22 Penikolo Latu (University of Waikato)
23 Fetuli Paea (Sila Pelu Ua)

[Crucial]

Kali Hala listed as Counties? I thought he was Auckland.

[Stargazer]

@crucial This is the list on the Steelers' site (see under "Super Rugby cover", whatever that means):

Home | Counties Manukau RFU

CMRFU Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union Steelers Heat

[Crucial]

@stargazer said in 2017 November Internationals:

@crucial This is the list on the Steelers' site (see under "Super Rugby cover", whatever that means):

Home | Counties Manukau RFU

CMRFU Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union Steelers Heat

I think it means those players come into the squad when another player is unavailable due to Super Rugby commitments early season.
I see he plays for Karaka now anyway.
Seems funny that a guy that can't make an ITM Cup team gets to run the cutter as an international though.

[Stargazer]

Watching the Baabaas v Tonga game (because I can't record that one) and it's definitely a different game from last week's. Different team (not sure why Luatua and Kwagga Smith aren't there; the Bus has broken down and is in repair; and "the five have joined the ABs) and different opponent.

I won't try to commentate the game here, because they do that much better on the Barbarians twitter feed: https://twitter.com/Barbarian_FC

One of the Tongan players (Taufu'i?) went off early with what looked like a shoulder injury or broken arm. Stirzaker also off with a head knock, meaning old man Ellis has to play at least 65 minutes.

Bad weather conditions, but still reasonably entertaining.

Tonga leads 14-12. Baabaas tries scored by Naiyavoro and Bridge.

[Stargazer]

After a penalty, the Baabaas lead 15-14 at half time.

[Stargazer]

Nice! Highlights of Jonah Lomu playing for the Baabaas are shown during the break! Maybe not super-speed, but certainly super-strength.

[Wurzel]

I notice on Nasi Manu's Instagram he was on the Tongan bus and in their sheds. Always wondered if he'd turn out for Tonga. Hope that's a sign he might be involved in their World Cup campaign. Too good of a player to play Test rugby.

[Higgins]

Looks like Ben Tameiafuna is trying to enter the record books as the heaviest player ever to play international rugby.

[Higgins]

And as I write that he leaves the field, probably seen the Dial a Pizza delivery van pulling up at the ground with the me'akai for the changing rooms, first in first served after all!

[Stargazer]

Great try from Vailanu. Tonga takes the lead 19 - 15.

Meanwhile, that rain just won't stop. Very wet game. Hope all players can swim.

[Stargazer]

LOL

The result is a try to the Baabaas, scored by Jordi Murphy. Du Preez converts and it's 22 - 19 to the Baabaas.

[Stargazer]

Andy Ellis dots down. After a driving maul. Not sure what he was doing in that maul, but that's the Baabaas for you!

27 - 19 Baabaas.

[Stargazer]

Vailanu scores again, but the try goes unconverted. The score is 27 - 24 to the Baabaas. Time's almost up.

[Stargazer]

Full time: Barbarians 27 - 24 Tonga.

Considering the horrible conditions, a very wet field, this was an entertaining match. Tonga kept on going until the final whistle.
Players looked exhausted at the end.

Robert du Preez was named Man of the Match.

[Stargazer]

Nice touch before the game:

[Bones]

@wurzel said in 2017 November Internationals:

I notice on Nasi Manu's Instagram he was on the Tongan bus and in their sheds. Always wondered if he'd turn out for Tonga. Hope that's a sign he might be involved in their World Cup campaign. Too good of a player to play Test rugby.

That's pretty rough on every other no 8 to play the game