Drua v Highlanders

[Dan54]

@Nepia Lincoln McCluthie is not eligible for Islands either. though Kefu and Lailiafano are as they haven't played for Aus for 3 years. MP was formed with the idea that up tp 5-6 non eligible players could be comtracted.

[Stargazer]

@Nepia

Sekope Kepu becomes eligible - thanks to the eligibility rule change - for Tonga on 11 October, this year.
Christian Leali'ifano becomes eligible for Samoa on 19 October, this year.

Lolagi Visinia is already eligible for Samoa. He last played for NZ in 2013.

Tonga are contesting Tau Koloamatangi's ineligibility because they allege that he was ineligible to play for Hong Kong when he did and they are probably right (it seems he played for Hong Kong before he had met the 3-year residency requirement). I have not seen a decision from World Rugby in his case.

@Dan54 I already mentioned McClutchie and that the Samoan and Tongan Unions were not happy about his signing because of his ineligibility for the Islands. They reluctantly accepted it because of the problems MP had with recruiting because the licence was granted so late and Covid. That's something that won't be an "excuse" for 2023 signings.

The whole question is whether they'll accept more signings of players who are ineligible.

I think Koroi may become eligible for Fiji in 2023, so maybe they'll see his case as similar to Kepu and Leali'ifano.

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer said in Drua v Highlanders:

I think Koroi may become eligible for Fiji in 2023

Is that based on his last game for the NZ sevens team?

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae Yep.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Bovidae 9 changes in the starting team. It was very much a B selection that played the Blues.

[Dan54]

@Stargazer Yep mate, I just know when it was formed they said they were going to allow a certain number of ineligible players to be contracted, may have changed. They have used Joe Royal who is a Maori player etc.

[Duluth]

Highlanders boss Tony Brown explains positional switches for three key players

Highlanders boss Tony Brown believes Thomas Umaga-Jensen's move from No 12 to No 13 may bring the best out of the fringe All Blacks prospect.

[Grooter]

@Duluth in there it touches on koroi, my query about why koroi hasn't been given a go in Nareki's vacant 11 jersey is answered.. Tony says he's developing him into a first five, guess he'll be able to fully compete with Mitch over the 10 jersey next yr, as for Thomas in the midfield he's been impressive, if he can remain injury free I hope Ian selects him🙂

[Kiwiwomble]

@FakatavaFuture yeah, TUJ might not have the pace we'd expect or like to see in a 13 but i did like what he could do with a little more space, he could do some some real damage with a Naholo/osborne/nareki outside him, a real finisher, CGB could have some fun running off his shoulder

[Dan54]

Anyone else starting to really look forward to this game, I know the forecast is shit, but to see the game in Fiji has me excited.

[Duluth]

Sounds like ticket sales followed the same pattern as previous SR games in Suva. Slow early in the week and then a late rush. The Drua have confirmed the game will be broadcast on local tv as tickets sales had gone past 10,000

[chimoaus]

Fuck this announcer must have loved watching WWF as a kid.

[chimoaus]

Love the atmosphere, remember when SR was like this.

[KiwiMurph]

@Duluth looks a near sellout. Brilliant.

[chimoaus]

I haven't heard Greg Clark for awhile in the com box.

[antipodean]

@chimoaus said in Drua v Highlanders:

I haven't heard Greg Clark for awhile in the com box.

Which is a pity - he's one of the better commentators IMO.

[chimoaus]

Fuck me what a try from Fiji. Crowd going crazy.

[antipodean]

That'll get the crowd going. Highlanders are going to be against it.

[KiwiMurph]

Could be a long day for Highlanders

[chimoaus]

Lomani looks like a good 9.