[2013 EOYT] Tonga/Samoa/Fiji

[Tonga_rugby]

Samoa Squad

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9817_8966102,00.html

Samoa have announced their squad for the upcoming November Test matches, including eight players who ply their trade at French clubs.
Powerful prop Census Johnston is the most experienced member of the touring party, with over 40 caps to his name, but fellow veterans Alesana Tuilagi and Seilala Mapusua miss out on selection, with both currently playing for Japanese club sides.
Northampton Saints duo Kahn Fotualii and George Pisi make the squad following fine starts to their respective Premiership careers, with the impressive Leicester Tigers front-row Logovii Mulipola also winning a place among the forwards.
27-year-old Hurricanes flanker Faifili Levave is in line for his international debut after being called-up by Stephen Betham.

[TABLE="class: sortable wikitable jquery-tablesorter"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TH="class: headerSort, bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]Player[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort, bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]Position[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort, bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]Date of Birth (Age)[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort, bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]Caps[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort, bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]Club/province[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Ole Avei[/TD]
[TD]Hooker[/TD]
[TD]13 June 1983 (age 30)[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD] Bordeaux Bègles[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Ti'i Paulo[/TD]
[TD]Hooker[/TD]
[TD]13 January 1983 (age 30)[/TD]
[TD]15[/TD]
[TD] Clermont[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Viliamu Afatia[/TD]
[TD]Prop[/TD]
[TD]24 May 1990 (age 23)[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD] SU Agen[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Census Johnston[/TD]
[TD]Prop[/TD]
[TD]6 May 1981 (age 32)[/TD]
[TD]45[/TD]
[TD] Toulouse[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]James Johnston[/TD]
[TD]Prop[/TD]
[TD]6 March 1986 (age 27)[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD] Saracens[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Logovi'i Mulipola[/TD]
[TD]Prop[/TD]
[TD]11 March 1987 (age 26)[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD] Leicester Tigers[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Sakaria Taulafo[/TD]
[TD]Prop[/TD]
[TD]29 January 1983 (age 30)[/TD]
[TD]24[/TD]
[TD] Stade Français[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Fa'atiga Lemalu[/TD]
[TD]Lock[/TD]
[TD]17 April 1989 (age 24)[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD] Stade Montois[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Filo Paulo[/TD]
[TD]Lock[/TD]
[TD]6 November 1987 (age 25)[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD] Cardiff Blues[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Joe Tekori[/TD]
[TD]Lock[/TD]
[TD]17 December 1983 (age 29)[/TD]
[TD]25[/TD]
[TD] Toulouse[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Maurie Fa'asavalu[/TD]
[TD]Flanker[/TD]
[TD]12 January 1980 (age 33)[/TD]
[TD]19[/TD]
[TD] Harlequins[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Piula Faasalele[/TD]
[TD]Flanker[/TD]
[TD]22 January 1988 (age 25)[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD] Castres[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Jack Lam[/TD]
[TD]Flanker[/TD]
[TD]18 November 1987 (age 25)[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD] Hurricanes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Daniel Leo[/TD]
[TD]Flanker[/TD]
[TD]2 October 1982 (age 31)[/TD]
[TD]37[/TD]
[TD] Perpignan[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Ofisa Treviranus[/TD]
[TD]Flanker[/TD]
[TD]31 March 1984 (age 29)[/TD]
[TD]25[/TD]
[TD] London Irish[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Faifili Levave[/TD]
[TD]Number 8[/TD]
[TD]15 January 1986 (age 27)[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD] Hurricanes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Taiasina Tuifu'a[/TD]
[TD]Number 8[/TD]
[TD]20 August 1984 (age 29)[/TD]
[TD]12[/TD]
[TD] Bordeaux Bègles[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Kahn Fotuali'i[/TD]
[TD]Scrum-half[/TD]
[TD]22 May 1982 (age 31)[/TD]
[TD]14[/TD]
[TD] Northampton Saints[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Jeremy Su'a[/TD]
[TD]Scrum-half[/TD]
[TD]10 November 1988 (age 24)[/TD]
[TD]11[/TD]
[TD] Worcester Warriors[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Patrick Fa'apale[/TD]
[TD]Fly-half[/TD]
[TD]5 March 1991 (age 22)[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD] Vaiala Rugby[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Tusi Pisi[/TD]
[TD]Fly-half[/TD]
[TD]18 June 1982 (age 31)[/TD]
[TD]16[/TD]
[TD] Suntory Sungoliath[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Alapati Leiua[/TD]
[TD]Centre[/TD]
[TD]21 September 1988 (age 25)[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD] Hurricanes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Johnny Leota[/TD]
[TD]Centre[/TD]
[TD]21 January 1984 (age 29)[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD] Sale Sharks[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]George Pisi[/TD]
[TD]Centre[/TD]
[TD]29 June 1986 (age 27)[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD] Northampton Saints[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Isaia Tuifua[/TD]
[TD]Centre[/TD]
[TD]24 August 1987 (age 26)[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD] Taranaki[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]David Lemi[/TD]
[TD]Wing[/TD]
[TD]10 February 1982 (age 31)[/TD]
[TD]36[/TD]
[TD] Worcester Warriors[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Sinoti Sinoti[/TD]
[TD]Wing[/TD]
[TD]9 September 1985 (age 28)[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD] Wellington Lions[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Brando Va'aulu[/TD]
[TD]Wing[/TD]
[TD]3 May 1987 (age 26)[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD] Tokyo Gas[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Fa'atoina Autagavaia[/TD]
[TD]Fullback[/TD]
[TD]18 September 1988 (age 25)[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD] Vailoa Rugby[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Paul Williams (c)[/TD]
[TD]Fullback[/TD]
[TD]22 April 1983 (age 30)[/TD]
[TD]18[/TD]
[TD] Stade Français[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]


Tonga squad

http://www.tonganz.net/home/ikale-tahi-squad-for-europe-spring-tour-2013/

‘Ikale Tahi, coach, Mana Otai has announced the 30-man squad to tour Europe next month, which they will play with Romaina,France, and Wales.
There are four new caps have been included, hooker Suliasi Taufalele and first five Latiume Fosita are currently involved inNew Zealand’s ITM Cup competition, lock Uili Kolo’ofai is based in France while Lisiate Havili plays for NTT Communications in Japan.
There’s also a return for Perpignan prop Sona Taumalolo, who was unavailable for the last year’s Northern tour as well as the Pacific Nations Cup.
The ’Ikale Tahi open their campaign against Romania in Bucharest before clashes against tier one nations France and Wales.
Mana Otai says it’s an exciting period although he admits there’s also more expectation on the team to do well.
Otai says a team captain will be named once the squad assembles.

Props

1. Alisona Taumalolo (32) Perpignan, France
2. Tevita Mailau (28) Mont De Marsan, France
3. Taione Vea (24) London Wasp, UK
4. Sila Puafisi (25) Tasman Mako, New Zealand
5. Edmund Aholelei (31) Melbourne Rebels, Australia

Hookers

1. Vaea Taione (30) Jersey Rugby Club, UK
2. Ilaisa Ma’asi (31) CS Vienne, France
3. Suliasi Taufalele (25) Counties Manukau, New Zealand

Locks

1. Tukulua Lokotui (33) Gloucester, United Kingdom
2. Uili Kolo’ofai (31) US Colomiers, France
3. Opeti Fonua (27) Bayonne, France

Loosies

1. Viliami Fainga’a (25) GPS Brisbane, Australia
2. Nili Latu (31) NEC Green Rockets, Japan
3. Viliami Fihaki (26) North Harbour, New Zealand
4. Hale T Pole (34) Southland, New Zealand
5. Sione Kalamafoni (25) Gloucester, United Kingdom
6. Villiami Ma’afu (31) Oyonnax, France

Halfbacks

1. Samisoni Fisilau (26) Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
2. Tomasi Palu (27) Wellington, New Zealand
3. Taniela Moa (31) Pau, France

Inside Backs

1. Lisiate Havili (25) NTT Communications, Japan
2. Latiume Fosita (21) Northland, New Zealand
3. Fangatapu Apikatoa (30) Marist ‘Apifo’ou, Tonga

Midfield Backs

1. Manu Ahota’e’iloa (27) Bayonne, France
2. Sione Piukala (28) Perpignan, France
3. Siale Piutau (27) Yamaha, Japan

Outside Backs

1. Will Helu (24) London Wasps, United Kingdom
2. Fetu’u Vainikolo (28) Exeter, United Kingdom
3. Vungakoto Lilo (30) Trabes Pyreness, France
4. David Halaifonua (26) Hofoa, Tonga

 

[Sam Owen]

Very happy with our side, were definately going to win games.

Ikale looks good also with Mailau, Moa, Latu, Piutau and Vainikolo. Go the Islanders!

 

[Tonga_rugby]

[h=3]Week 1[/h]

[h=3]Week 2[/h]
[TABLE="width: 190"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]

9 November 2013
15:00 WET (UTC+0)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 776"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TH="class: vcard, align: right"]Portugal

[/TH]
[TH]v[/TH]
[TH="class: vcard, align: left"]

Fiji[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="align: left"][/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 305"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]Universitário Lisboa, Lisbon [13]​
Referee: Juan Sylvestre (Argentina)
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]


[TABLE="width: 190"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]

9 November 2013
18:30 EET (UTC+2)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 776"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TH="class: vcard, align: right"]Romania

[/TH]
[TH]v[/TH]
[TH="class: vcard, align: left"]

Tonga[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="align: left"][/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 305"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest [14]​
Referee: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]



[TABLE="width: 190"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]

9 November 2013
17:45 WET (UTC+0)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 776"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TH="class: vcard, align: right"]Ireland

[/TH]
[TH]v[/TH]
[TH="class: vcard, align: left"]

Samoa[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="align: left"][/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 305"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]Aviva Stadium, Dublin [16]​
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]



[TABLE="width: 305"]
<tbody></tbody>[/TABLE]


[h=3]Week 3[/h]
[TABLE="width: 190"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]

16 November 2013
15:00 CET (UTC+1)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 776"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TH="class: vcard, align: right"]Italy

[/TH]
[TH]v[/TH]
[TH="class: vcard, align: left"]

Fiji[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="align: left"][/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 305"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]Stadio Giovanni Zini, Cremona [11]​
Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]


[TABLE="width: 190"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]

16 November 2013
15:00 CET (UTC+1)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 776"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TH="class: vcard, align: right"]French Barbarians [/TH]
[TH]v[/TH]
[TH="class: vcard, align: left"]

Samoa[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="align: left"][/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 305"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin, Clermont-Ferrand [14]​
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]



[TABLE="width: 190"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]

16 November 2013
18:00 CET (UTC+1)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 776"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TH="class: vcard, align: right"]France

[/TH]
[TH]v[/TH]
[TH="class: vcard, align: left"]

Tonga[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="align: left"][/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 305"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]Stade Océane, Le Havre [22]​
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]


Week 4
[TABLE="width: 190"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]

22 November 2013
19:30 GMT (UTC+0)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 776"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TH="class: vcard, align: right"]Wales

[/TH]
[TH]v[/TH]
[TH="class: vcard, align: left"]

Tonga[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="align: left"][/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 305"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]Millennium Stadium, Cardiff [23]​
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]


[TABLE="width: 190"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]

23 November 2013
14:00 GET (UTC+4)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 776"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TH="class: vcard, align: right"]Georgia

[/TH]
[TH]v[/TH]
[TH="class: vcard, align: left"]

Samoa[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="align: left"][/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 305"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi [14]​
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]



[TABLE="width: 190"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]

23 November 2013
18:30 EET (UTC+2)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 776"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TH="class: vcard, align: right"]Romania

[/TH]
[TH]v[/TH]
[TH="class: vcard, align: left"]

Fiji[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="align: left"][/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 305"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest [14]​
Referee: Dudley Phillips (Ireland)
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]


Week 5
[TABLE="width: 190"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]

30 November 2013
14:30 GMT (UTC+0)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 776"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TH="class: vcard, align: right"]Barbarians[/TH]
[TH]v[/TH]
[TH="class: vcard, align: left"]

Fiji[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="align: left"][/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 305"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]Twickenham, London[24]​
Referee: Pascal Gauzère (France)
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

 

[Big Ewis]

happy to see some activity here from members that aren't English, Welsh, NZ etc...
Good thread !

I think the French Barbarians Samoa match can be an absolute "crackah". Lineup looks really good for the Barbarians this year, and Samoa will be running amok as usual.

I'm very, VERY intrigued by Ireland Samoa. Really not sure how the hell this could turn out...a very "exotic", rare matchup, and we haven't seen Ireland against the new-look Samoa - and technically according to the IRB right now Samoa is 7th and Ireland right behind in at 8th.
I wonder how Ireland can manage the physical game Samoa will present.

Tonga playing France and Wales is also intriguing. We've both got to redeem ourselves against this type of side and Wales especially historically has had tremendous difficulty against ultra-physical, Pac Islander type opposition. And France of course, still on that losing streak against Tonga since the World Cup !...

 

[Feicarsinn]

happy to see some activity here from members that aren't English, Welsh, NZ etc...
Good thread !

I think the French Barbarians Samoa match can be an absolute "crackah". Lineup looks really good for the Barbarians this year, and Samoa will be running amok as usual.

I'm very, VERY intrigued by Ireland Samoa. Really not sure how the hell this could turn out...a very "exotic", rare matchup, and we haven't seen Ireland against the new-look Samoa - and technically according to the IRB right now Samoa is 7th and Ireland right behind in at 8th.
I wonder how Ireland can manage the physical game Samoa will present.

Tonga playing France and Wales is also intriguing. We've both got to redeem ourselves against this type of side and Wales especially historically has had tremendous difficulty against ultra-physical, Pac Islander type opposition. And France of course, still on that losing streak against Tonga since the World Cup !...

 

[Big Ewis]

so random !

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Johnny!
Looking forward to Samoa's games, always love watching them play. Shame they're not playing more Tier 1 nations, really. Would've rather seen a game vs England/Wales/Scotland/France instead of French Barbarians.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Johnny!
Looking forward to Samoa's games, always love watching them play. Shame they're not playing more Tier 1 nations, really. Would've rather seen a game vs England/Wales/Scotland/France instead of French Barbarians.

Well, Samoa did get to play against Scotland, Italy and SA in SA this year with a mixed bag of results beating Italy and Scotland but succumbing to SA and then there was that weird game against the Golden Lions. I suppose that won't be a regular occurane though as it was only due to the B&I Lions touring Aus and France touring NZ that it got organized.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, watched those games - good stuff. I meant specifically for the EOYT - last year they played Wales, France and Canada. Seems like a step back this year, considering how well they've played recently.

 

[Big Ewis]

Yeah, watched those games - good stuff. I meant specifically for the EOYT - last year they played Wales, France and Canada. Seems like a step back this year, considering how well they've played recently.

yeh wtf, they're even playing shytty Ireland this year...
(KIDDING KIDDING !!!!!)

No but seriously, you're right. Definitely a big step down. They're only playing one Tier 1 nation this year...they should put a load of points on Georgia, but I'd like to see how Georgia can use their forwards and perhaps scrum against Samoa..and the Barbarians game will be a cracker for sure, check out the current lineup:
[TABLE="class: sortable wikitable jquery-tablesorter"]
<thead>[TR]
[TH="class: headerSort"]Player[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"]Position[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"]Date of Birth (Age)[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"]Club/province[/TH]
[TH="class: headerSort"]Union[/TH]
[/TR]
</thead><tbody> [TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Brice Mach[/TD]
[TD]Hooker[/TD]
[TD] 2 April 1986 (age 27)[/TD]
[TD] Castres[/TD]
[TD] France[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]William Servat[/TD]
[TD]Hooker[/TD]
[TD] 9 February 1978 (age 35)[/TD]
[TD]Retired[/TD]
[TD] France[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Yannick Forestier[/TD]
[TD]Prop[/TD]
[TD] 3 January 1982 (age 31)[/TD]
[TD] Castres[/TD]
[TD] France[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Aretz Iguiniz[/TD]
[TD]Prop[/TD]
[TD] 3 June 1983 (age 30)[/TD]
[TD] Bayonne[/TD]
[TD] France[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Jean-Baptiste Poux[/TD]
[TD]Prop[/TD]
[TD] 26 September 1979 (age 34)[/TD]
[TD] Bordeaux Bègles[/TD]
[TD] France[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Thibault Lassalle[/TD]
[TD]Lock[/TD]
[TD] 22 August 1987 (age 26)[/TD]
[TD] Oyonnax[/TD]
[TD] France[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Christophe Samson[/TD]
[TD]Lock[/TD]
[TD] 1 March 1984 (age 29)[/TD]
[TD] Castres[/TD]
[TD] France[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Robins Tchale-Watchou[/TD]
[TD]Lock[/TD]
[TD] 10 May 1983 (age 30)[/TD]
[TD] Montpellier[/TD]
[TD] Cameroon[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Julien Bonnaire[/TD]
[TD]Flanker[/TD]
[TD] 20 September 1978 (age 35)[/TD]
[TD] Castres[/TD]
[TD] France[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Pierre Rabadan[/TD]
[TD]Flanker[/TD]
[TD] 3 April 1980 (age 33)[/TD]
[TD] Stade Français[/TD]
[TD] France[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Gerhard Vosloo[/TD]
[TD]Flanker[/TD]
[TD] 10 May 1979 (age 34)[/TD]
[TD] Clermont[/TD]
[TD] France[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Antonie Claassen[/TD]
[TD]Number 8[/TD]
[TD] 20 October 1984 (age 28)[/TD]
[TD] Castres[/TD]
[TD] France[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Rory Kockott[/TD]
[TD]Scrum-half[/TD]
[TD] 25 June 1986 (age 27)[/TD]
[TD] Castres[/TD]
[TD] South Africa[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Jonathan Pélissié[/TD]
[TD]Scrum-half[/TD]
[TD] 6 June 1988 (age 25)[/TD]
[TD] Montpellier[/TD]
[TD] France[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]David Skrela[/TD]
[TD]Fly-half[/TD]
[TD] 2 March 1979 (age 34)[/TD]
[TD] Colomiers[/TD]
[TD] France[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Francois Trinh-Duc[/TD]
[TD]Fly-half[/TD]
[TD] 1 November 1986 (age 26)[/TD]
[TD] Montpellier[/TD]
[TD] France[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Rémi Lamerat[/TD]
[TD]Centre[/TD]
[TD] 14 January 1990 (age 23)[/TD]
[TD] Castres[/TD]
[TD] France[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Aurélien Rougerie[/TD]
[TD]Centre[/TD]
[TD] 26 September 1980 (age 33)[/TD]
[TD] Clermont[/TD]
[TD] France[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Alexis Palisson[/TD]
[TD]Wing[/TD]
[TD] 9 September 1987 (age 26)[/TD]
[TD] Toulon[/TD]
[TD] France[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Sitiveni Sivivatu[/TD]
[TD]Wing[/TD]
[TD] 19 April 1982 (age 31)[/TD]
[TD] Clermont[/TD]
[TD] New Zealand[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]David Smith[/TD]
[TD]Wing[/TD]
[TD] 12 October 1985 (age 27)[/TD]
[TD] Toulon[/TD]
[TD] New Zealand[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vcard agent"]
[TD="align: left"]Silvère Tian[/TD]
[TD]Fullback[/TD]
[TD] 19 July 1980 (age 33)[/TD]
[TD] Oyonnax[/TD]
[TD] France[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

Some try-scoring ability in this machine, and excitement abound almost guaranteed.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

is that the french barbarians

 

[Big Ewis]

is that the french barbarians

yup.
Should be one explosive match !! I hope it's going to be about as good as I'd imagine now...

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

That French Barbarians looks good on paper and should put up a good fight with the only worry for them being the obvious lack of time together that all Barbarians sides have.

I expect Georgia to put up a decent enough showing. If they can stand up in defense and harass Samoa at the breakdown I would almost expect them to win out due to what I would expect to be superior set pieces. I have to admit though that I am not at all clued up with Georgia.

Pity this Samoa side don't get the chances other tier 1 sides are getting. I hope the IRB doesn't miss the train like they did with Argentina 2007; good side getting some results but only offered the opportunity to build on it 6 years later. The worry for Samoa is that this is quite an aging side for them and they can't really afford to wait and not have chances to bring long term replacements through ASAP on top of developing depth.

 

[Big Ewis]

That French Barbarians looks good on paper and should put up a good fight with the only worry for them being the obvious lack of time together that all Barbarians sides have.

I expect Georgia to put up a decent enough showing. If they can stand up in defense and harass Samoa at the breakdown I would almost expect them to win out due to what I would expect to be superior set pieces. I have to admit though that I am not at all clued up with Georgia.

Pity this Samoa side don't get the chances other tier 1 sides are getting. I hope the IRB doesn't miss the train like they did with Argentina 2007; good side getting some results but only offered the opportunity to build on it 6 years later. The worry for Samoa is that this is quite an aging side for them and they can't really afford to wait and not have chances to bring long term replacements through ASAP on top of developing depth.

well that's the good thing about artificially assembled teams - like the B&I Lions, they're handpicked for every single position, and their bench alone is practically a better team than a regular national side. But the challenge is for them to mesh, because if not it would be downright cheating as they're facing a standard, "natural" national side, as good as it may be.

The Baabaa thing to me is the same. They're hand-picked, though not nearly as strong as the Lions of course, but hand-picked still - and the challenge is for them to be pro and smart enough to mix well and find chemistry in time for the big show.

Samoa should beat Georgia heftily, and I haven't seen Georgia play since the World Cup...but looking at all the good props we have from there in the Top 14 and the complete lack of quality backs whatsoever, it seems their strength will obviously be the scrum, and then possibly the breakdown (?)

and yeh the IRB totally fkd Samoa over this year..
it's amazing because at this time of the year last year, I was looking at the Nov. test list, and I was worried about Australia and Argentina coming over, as they'd been our cryptonite as of the past few years...and I was like "oh cool, and then we have a soft landing against Samoa...wtvr...."
and what happened is, although we won all 3 tests: we beat Australia really bad, put 40 on Argentina, and then had a much harder time against Samoa.
So I thought their calendar last year of going to Canada, and then doing Cardiff and then Paris was too much for them. They went 2 of 3, two of which weren't really close...

 

[Toko_11]

I haven't seen Georgia play since the World Cup...but looking at all the good props we have from there in the Top 14 and the complete lack of quality backs whatsoever, it seems their strength will obviously be the scrum, and then possibly the breakdown (?)

It's so very obvious that you haven't my friend, Georgian game is VERY different from what it was during the world cup.. the team has changed the whole tactics and plays a passing game instead of classic old Georgian scrum an smash. forwards and backs both improved in quality except the halfbacks...

9 and 10 are the weak spots of the team and are about 10 years behind everyone else in quality. our performance on set pieces will depend on the side we can get and how long they will have to practice together before the test... I can't wait to see how we fare with such a strong team. the hardest part of the game would be keeping up with speedy Samoans since Georgians honestly are not the fastest of the bunch.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

to be honest i thought the georgian back's all needs improvement but your right the half-backs need the most improvements

 

[j'nuh]

It's so very obvious that you haven't my friend, Georgian game is VERY different from what it was during the world cup.. the team has changed the whole tactics and plays a passing game instead of classic old Georgian scrum an smash. forwards and backs both improved in quality except the halfbacks...

9 and 10 are the weak spots of the team and are about 10 years behind everyone else in quality. our performance on set pieces will depend on the side we can get and how long they will have to practice together before the test... I can't wait to see how we fare with such a strong team. the hardest part of the game would be keeping up with speedy Samoans since Georgians honestly are not the fastest of the bunch.

What do you know/think of Merab Sharikadze?

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

What do you know/think of Merab Sharikadze?

i never seen him play but i know he's 20 years old so i hope he becomes good in the future

 

[psychic duck]

What do you know/think of Merab Sharikadze?

A ball playing inside centre and perhaps the most skilful players Georgia have produced. However made his debut ridiculously young at 18 and got hugely overpowered in his first year of international rugby against fully adult explosive Pacific Island centres. Was maintained throughout this rough period though and his technique has come on fast, can pass and offload well and got a contract with a ProD2 side in the summer.

 

[j'nuh]

I ask because I know he was at Hartpury College, so I was wondering if he might make the step up to Glos like so many other Hartpury players have. But if he's now gone to ProD2, I guess not.