SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs)
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A potential Anzac XV that could re-surface after 30 years of being dormant
Very rarely do the Wallabies and All Blacks join forces on the rugby field, but that's exactly what is in the pipeline for later on this year.
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Not sure why anyone would want this.
“If we can’t get a full TRC (Rugby Championship) because of the travel restrictions then we are looking at other things that we could do, a Wallabies versus Anzac invitation team. Something to be creative.”
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You'd think it's either Wallabies v All Blacks, or ANZAC XV v another country than Australia and New Zealand.
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Snippets from the article below (which is behind the NZH paywall):
Vern Cotter is keen to lure several Super Rugby prospects and has assembled a quality New Zealand-led coaching team as he prepares to guide Fiji in a potentially daunting eight nations tournament later this year.The former Bay of Plenty head coach and Crusaders assistant has been impressed by several Fiji-eligible prospects including Blues No 8 Hoskins Sotutu, loose head prop Alex Hodgman, who played under 20s for New Zealand and Fiji, Chiefs No 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, Crusaders prop George Bower and wing Manasa Mataele, who is yet to return from injury. "There's guys that have shown really good form," Cotter told the Herald . "Alex Hodgman from the Blues has gone really well. Sowakula is also playing well. "There's some really good players we'd love to be able to access. The guy we'd love to get is Hoskins Sotutu, but I think Ian Foster has probably got his eye on him. If Fozzie doesn't pick him, he is welcome to come and play for Fiji."Since accepting the Fijian job in January, Cotter has recruited highly-regarded Crusaders forwards coach Jason Ryan, former Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson, Glen Jackson, who retired from refereeing last year, and Richie Gray to his coaching team. Gibson will lead Fiji's backline and attack; Ryan the forward pack, Jackson skills and kicking while Gray, who worked with the Springboks from 2014-16 and Cotter at Scotland and Montpellier, will oversee the contact area.Following the Pacific Nations Cup in October, Fiji are expected to compete alongside Japan against the traditional Six Nations powers from November 17 to December 5, with teams to be split into two pools of four. The eight-team tournament will this year replace the traditional northern-hosted November tours, with the Sanzaar nations instead hoping to stage the Rugby Championship in New Zealand during this window. Cotter is less enthused about the prospect of returning to Europe amid the pandemic, and having to quarantine for two weeks upon returning home, than he is the chance to assess where Fiji is at after their disappointing World Cup campaign last year. "The tournament is still not 100 per cent confirmed in November in Europe. It changes daily which is only natural because it's an uncertain landscape. We'll be delighted to be involved but we're waiting for the boxes to be ticked. "The concept itself is fascinating and would be really good for Fiji rugby considering there's probably 35 professional rugby players in Europe at the moment you could call on to play for Fiji.https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12352101
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@Stargazer said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):
The former Bay of Plenty head coach and Crusaders assistant has been impressed by several Fiji-eligible prospects including Blues No 8 Hoskins Sotutu, loose head prop Alex Hodgman, who played under 20s for New Zealand and Fiji, Chiefs No 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, Crusaders prop George Bower and wing Manasa Mataele, who is yet to return from injury.Well at least he identified some that were born in Fiji.
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Report: Argentina to play in South American Championship ahead of Rugby Championship
Argentina are set to play in the South American Championship as preparation for their Rugby Championship campaign in New Zealand later this year.
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@Tim said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):
Report: Argentina to play in South American Championship ahead of Rugby Championship
Argentina are set to play in the South American Championship as preparation for their Rugby Championship campaign in New Zealand later this year.
Good stuff. That should be excellent preparation for any friendlies down the line
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Krusty's back.
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Although they'll play in the NH, they're still a SH team, so posting it here.
2020 Flying Fijians squad announced for Autumn Nations Cup
Fiji Rugby’s 15s Head Coach Vern Cotter has named a powerful Flying Fijians touring squad to prepare for the upcoming Autumn Nations Cup in Europe later this month.
The 32 member squad will march into camp on 25 October in preparation to face France on 15 November, Italy on 21 November and Scotland 7 days later on 29 November at BT Murrayfield.
Flying Fijians will also play Portugal on 6 November as a warm up to the Autumn Nations Cup.
The touring squad welcomes 9 local based players Tevita Ikanivere, Samuela Tawake, Jone Koroiduadua, Chris Minimbi, Manueli Ratuniyarawa, Peni Matawalu, Simione Kuruvoli, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Serupepeli Vularika, who are part of the Skipper Cup and have been training together under the Fiji Rugby Academy.
New Zealand based Waikato prop Haereiti Hetet, Northland forward Temo Mayanavanua and France based Kitione Kamikamica and Lekima Tagitagivalu are also expected to earn their first cap during the tour.
“Haereiti is an unknown player but his father isn’t, he’s the son of Joeli Veitayaki, somebody who is very well known,” Cotter mentioned.
“Haereiti has really impressed us with his performance as he can play both sides, left and right, and he is very excited about this opportunity,” Cotter added.
LOOSEHEAD PROP
Eroni Mawi, Peni Ravai, Haereiti HetetHOOKER
Mesulame Dolokoto, Sam Matavesi, Tevita Ikanivere,TIGHTHEAD PROP
Samuela Tawake, Mesake Doge, Jone Koroiduadua,SECOND ROW
Tevita Ratuva, Leone Nakarawa, Temo Mayanavanua, Chris Minimbi,BACK ROW / UTILITY
Mesulame Kunavula, Kitione Kamikamica, Johnny Dyer, Albert Tuisue, Manueli Ratuniyarawa, Lekima Tagitagivalu,HALFBACK
Frank Lomani, Peni Matawalu, Simione Kuruvoli,FLYHALF
Ben Volavola, Tuidraki SamusamuvodreCENTER
Semi Radradra, Lepani Botia, Serupepeli Vularika, Jale Vatubua, Waisea NayacalevuWINGER
Nemani Nadolo, Josua Tuisova,FULLBACK
Kini Murimurivalu
Interesting to see Haereiti Hetet in that list. He played against Fiji, last year, in his first and only game for the Maori All Blacks.
No Peceli Yato. Injured?
And Nemani Nadolo is back!
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@Stargazer said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):
Although they'll play in the NH, they're still a SH team, so posting it here.
Interesting to see Haereiti Hetet in that list. He played against Fiji, last year, in his first and only game for the Maori All Blacks.
He is Joe Veitayaki's son
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@Higgins said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):
@Stargazer said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):
Although they'll play in the NH, they're still a SH team, so posting it here.
Interesting to see Haereiti Hetet in that list. He played against Fiji, last year, in his first and only game for the Maori All Blacks.
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He is Joe Veitayaki's son
Was this publicised when he made the Maori team?
Edit: Yep
https://www.teaomaori.news/next-generation-players-against-their-fathers-team
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It's not getting much attention in the sportsmedia in this part of the world, but there's a South Amercian 4 Nations being played at the moment. The venue is Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo (Uruguay). Strict Covid-19 measures have been taken before the tournament to ensure the health of the players and staff, and the tests are played without a crowd.
The four nations teams are Argentina XV, Chile XV, Uruguay and Brazil, and it's Chile that has been the surprise of the first two rounds of the tournament. Having lost by only one point to Argentina, they beat Uruguay with the same points difference.
Results of round 1 and 2:
Argentina XV 25 - 24 Chile XV
Uruguay 25 - 17 Brazil
Argentina XV 40 - 15 Brazil
Uruguay 21 - 22 Chile XVRound 3 (early Monday morning NZT): Chile XV v Brazil and Argentina XV v Uruguay.
While Argentina tops the table, both Chile and Uruguay can still win the tournament if they both win their last game. Picking up a bonus point will then determine who finishes on top.
Articles about this tournament in English can be found via this link: http://www.americasrugbynews.com/tag/south-american-4-nations.
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@mikey07 Yeah, Argentina's second XV plays in this South American 4 Nations and has been playing international tournaments for years. There's no reason why our national 2nd XV, the All Blacks XV as they are called now, can't participate in official, international tournaments as well. I wouldn't have a problem with the Maori All Blacks playing the Pacific Nations Cup again, either. Japan dominated the last edition of the PNC, with only the USA able to offer them enough opposition; the All Blacks XV could do the same.
I'd love to watch it. Maybe something they should organise for the July international window (or whenever it is in the changed COVID calendar for 2021), so that European clubs are forced to release players.
Joeli Veitayaki - Wikipedia
