Manu Samoa v Tonga 2 (RWC Qualifier)
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Hawke's Bay loose forward Solomone Funaki is still in camp but won't be considered for this weekend's second test against Samoa in Hamilton after breaking his hand against the All Blacks, while Chiefs flanker Zane Kapeli is expected to be sidelined for nine months after rupturing a patellar tendon against the Manu. Former Chiefs number eight Maama Vaipulu and Bay of Plenty based lock Semisi Paea have joined the 'Ikale Tahi squad in camp and coach Toutai Kefu is happy to have a few more options up his sleeve. "We've got some bruises, just a few niggly injuries lingering, so if they persist we've got some cover there."
Vaipulu is back in New Zealand after five seasons playing in France and arrived at the team's Cambridge base on Monday in his own work vehicle, having just started a building company. Meanwhile Paea started for the New Zealand Harlequins team against the New Zealand Under 20s last week and will provide a welcome boost to the locking stocks after Kapeli, who is a flanker by trader, played the last two tests in the second row. "We've got Harrison Mataele who is our biggest lock out of all them. He's been coming off the bench and actually really playing well and adding impact," Kefu explained. "So he will go straight in (to the starting line-up) at this point and we will look to add maybe Maama Vaipulu to the bench."
Meanwhile the Tonga Rugby Union said it was continuing discussions with the relevant clubs about whether their players will be available to play in an additional test next weekend, depending on the outcome of the Oceania 1 playoff. The winner of the Asia/Pacific qualifier against the Cook Islands will face the winner of the Asia Rugby Championship (Hong Kong, South Korea or Malaysia) for a place in Rugby World Cup Pool B alongside South Africa, Ireland and Scotland.
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@machpants said in Manu Samoa v Tonga 2 (RWC Qualifier):
@bovidae said in Manu Samoa v Tonga 2 (RWC Qualifier):
Good to see incompetence gets rewarded.
You're talking about Foster, right?
The ref perhaps?
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What are the numbers on the screen in brackets next to the time? Cumulative score?
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@act-crusader said in Manu Samoa v Tonga 2 (RWC Qualifier):
What are the numbers on the screen in brackets next to the time? Cumulative score?
Yeah. The mountain that Tonga have to climb
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@act-crusader said in Manu Samoa v Tonga 2 (RWC Qualifier):
What are the numbers on the screen in brackets next to the time? Cumulative score?
Seems to be.
Nice try there. Clearly the live streamer behind my stream is Samoan.
