Pre-RWC test matches

Stargazer

@Higgins Haha, I avoid Jones like the plague. They have actually included an interpreter in their staff!

Higgins

@Stargazer Not unexpected given at least 13 seem to have non Japanese names

Bovidae

Ah, Van Der Walt, who may be the shortest international lock going around. He makes James Blackwell look tall.

cgrant

Very odd indeed. I don't understand why the Japanese chased him as what they need is one or two tall locks.

MN5

@Bovidae said in Pre-RWC test matches:

Ah, Van Der Walt, who may be the shortest international lock going around. He makes James Blackwell look tall.

He's shorter than quite a few props. How embarrassing.

Stargazer

Tongan squad to take on Samoa on Saturday, 27 July.

1 Paea Fa’anunu (Leimatu’a, Vava’u, & Tuanekivale)
2 Elvis Taione (Kolomotu’a & Ha’akio)
3 Ben Tameifuna (Pea)
4 Leva Fifita (Neiafu)
5 Sam Louisi* (Kanokupolu & Leimatu’a)
6 Onehunga Havili (Ha’ateiho)
7 Maama Vaipulu (Folaha)
8 Nasi Manu (C) (Vaini & Ha’ateiho)
9 Samisoni Fisilau (Longolongo & Leimatu’a)
10 James Faiva* (Ngele’ia & Kotu)
11 Viliami Lolohea (Navutoka & Niuatoputapu)
12 Cooper Vuna (Houma)
13 Malietoa Hingano* (Makaunga, Talafo’ou, Nukuleka, Holonga & Utuali’i)
14 Tevita Halaifonua (Fatumu & Houma)
15 Nafi Tu’itavake (Kolomotu’a & Malapo)

16 Sefo Sakalia (Ma’ufanga & Nomuka)
17 Toma Taufa* (Angaha & Esia)
18 Ma’afu Fia (Ha’avakatolo, Holonga & Olo’ua)
19 Zane Kapeli (Taunga, Otungake, & Neiafu)
20 Fotu Lokotui (Longoteme & Mo’unga’one)
21 Sione Vailanu (Kolovai)
22 Leon Fukofuka (Ha’avakatolo, Fo’ui & Ha’alalo)
23 ‘Otumaka Mausia* (Ha’ateiho & Longomapu)

Being named captain in the absence of regular leaders Siale Piutau and Sonatane Takulua, the inspirational number 8 headlines a solid group of new and returning faces coach Toutai Kefu has chosen to take on Samoa this coming weekend.

Alongside Manu, five players are in line to make their international debuts; Sam Lousi, James Faiva, Malietoa Hingano, Toma Taufa and Otumaka Mausia. In addition to the new faces the Ikale Tahi team will also welcome back experienced campaigners Maama Vaipulu, Cooper Vuna and Tevita Halaifonua for the clash against Samoa.

With so many debutants named, coach Toutai Kefu suggested he was still casting a keen eye for spots he was looking to fill for the Rugby World Cup, during this upcoming Pacific Nations Cup campaign.

We’re still looking at a few young guys, and its still quite open, in terms of vying for World Cup spots.

https://truoffical.com/manu-named-to-lead-tonga-completing-remarkable-comeback/

Stargazer

Manu Samoa squad to take on Tonga:

1 Logovi’i Mulipola 2. Motu Matu’u (C) 3. Paul Alo Emile 4.Teofilo Paulo 5. Kane Leaupepe 6. Chris Vui 7. TJ Ioane 8. Afaesetiti Amosa 9. Auvasa Falealii 10. Ulupano Seutini 11. Belgium Tuatagaloa 12. Reynold Lee-Lo 13. Alapati Leiua 14. Johnny Vaili 15. Ahsee Tuala

Reserves: 16. Ray Niuia 17. Jordan Lay 18. Alofa’aga Sao 19. Vaito’asa Senio Toleafoa 20. Alamanda Motuga 21. Dwayne Polataivao 22. AJ Alatimu 23. JJ Taulagi

Stargazer

Japan's team to play Fiji

Stargazer

Fiji squad to play Japan:

1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Sam Matavesi, 3 Manasa Saulo, 4 Albert Tuisue, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 7 Semi Kunatani, 8 Viliame Mata, 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Ben Volavola, 11 Patrick Osbourne, 12 Levani Botia, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 14 Filipo Nakosi, 15 Alivereti Veitokani

Reserves
16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Lee-Roy Atalifo, 19. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 20. Peceli Yato, 21. Henry Seniloli, 22. Jale Vatubua, 23. Josh Matavesi

Stargazer

In NZ, Pacific Nations Cup games will be broadcast by Sky.

The World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup matches will be broadcast on television live, delayed-live and via dedicated highlights programming in select countries. Details of the licensed broadcasters by country are below - please check local listings for confirmation of timings and please check back to this page for updates as the content of the table below is subject to change.

For fans who live in other countries or territories where broadcast coverage isn’t available, the fixtures are also be streamed live here on the World Rugby website.

Streaming Availability: Live on worldrugby.org/pnc for all other countries.

Broadcast Partners:

    TSN (Canada)
    NBC (USA)
    J Sports and NTV (Japan)
    Fiji TV (Fiji)
    Sky New Zealand (New Zealand)
    Samoa TV (Samoa)

https://www.world.rugby/pnc/news/57740?lang=en

Stargazer

Just a reminder - for whoever is interested - that you can find all

pre-RWC test matches,
kick-off times,
broadcast details,
links to matchday squads, and
results

in this blogpost (to be found via the Silver Fern homepage) :

https://www.thesilverfern.com/posts/stargazer/2019-09/pre-rwc-tests

Bovidae

@Stargazer said in Pre-RWC test matches:

Fiji squad to play Japan:

1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Sam Matavesi, 3 Manasa Saulo, 4 Albert Tuisue, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 7 Semi Kunatani, 8 Viliame Mata, 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Ben Volavola, 11 Patrick Osbourne, 12 Levani Botia, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 14 Filipo Nakosi, 15 Alivereti Veitokani

Reserves
16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Lee-Roy Atalifo, 19. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 20. Peceli Yato, 21. Henry Seniloli, 22. Jale Vatubua, 23. Josh Matavesi

In comparison, here's the team that played the NZM in Suva. So that was close to their first-choice team.

1: Peni Ravai 2: Sam Matavesi 3: Manasa Saulo 4: Albert Tuise 5: Leone Nakarawa 6: Dominiko Waqaniburotu 7: Semi Kunatani 8: Viliame Mata 9: Frank Lomani 10: Ben Volavola 11: Eroni Sau 12: Lopani Botia 13: Waisea Nayacalevu 14: Josua Tuisova 15: Alvereti Veitokani
Reserves: Mesulame Dolokoto, Eroni Mawi, Kalivati Tawake, Apisalome Ratuniyaarawa, Nemani Nagusa, Henri Seniloli, Sefanaia Galala, Patrick Osborne

Stargazer

@Bovidae Yep, some of the bench players in Suva are now starters and vv, too. Very few new names.

Daffy Jaffy

USA v Canada
Infinity Park

USA: 15 Will Hooley, 14 Blaine Scully, 13 Marcel Brache, 12 Bryce Campbell, 11 Martin Iosefo, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Shaun Davies, 8 Cam Dolan, 7 John Quill, 6 Malon Al-Jiboori, 5 Nick Civetta, 4 Ben Landry, 3 Paul Mullen, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 1 Chance Wenglewski
Replacements: 16 Kapeli Pifeleti, 17 David Ainuu, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Greg Peterson, 20 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, 21 Ruben de Haas, 22 Gannon Moore, 23 Madison Hughes

Canada: 15 Patrick Parfrey, 14 Conor Trainor, 13 Ben LeSage, 12 Ciaran Hearn, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Peter Nelson, 9 Phil Mack, 8 Tyler Ardron (c), 7 Matt Heaton, 6 Kyle Baille, 5 Conor Keys, 4 Evan Olmstead, 3 Cole Keith, 2 Benoit Piffero, 1 Hubert Buydens
Replacements: 16 Andrew Quattrin, 17 Rob Brouwer, 18 Jake Ilnicki, 19 Justin Blanchet, 20 Luke Campbell, 21 Gordon McRorie, 22 Shane O’Leary, 23 Nick Blevins

Daffy Jaffy

FYI - Tonga v Samoa in Apia is live on Sky sport 3 at 1:50pm today.

Stargazer

@Daffy-Jaffy Yes, that info is all here: https://www.thesilverfern.com/posts/stargazer/2019-09/pre-rwc-tests

Daffy Jaffy

@Stargazer cool, thanks.

Stargazer

Terrible conditions in Apia. The field looks like a swamp; if it keeps on raining, players will be swimming like ducks by the end of the game.

Higgins

Brings back memories of a game I spectated at in Hunterville way back in 1988. Not quite as much surface water on the field in Apia though. Apia Park still barely makes the amateur level when compared to Wellington's Martin Luckie Park for mud heap ratings. It sets a very high benchmark for muddiness.

Stargazer

Tonga down to 13 men, geez.

The Silver Fern

Pre-RWC test matches