Complete Squads for the 2011 PACIFIC NATIONS CUP

[aucklander]

The fiji team is looking awesome. Very strong lineup. You can't under estimate the japanese though, their defense in last weeks game was awesome. Expecting fireworks from the fijians, fiji to win by 3 tries. No James arlidge at first five which will be the weakness for the japanese.

Samoa have named a few senior players for the tongan match, still expect this game to be tight. Great to see Census Johnston, Fa'atonu Fili, Jamie Helluer, Ray Ofisa, Ole Avei in the mix. The tongans have named a pretty good forward pack and look to have a slight edge over Samoa. The backs will be the decider for both teams. Which ever teams back dominate will win the game. Still too close to call.

PNC Champions.... Drum roll please........ Will come back to you on that 1 tomorrow lol

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Samoa have made some more changes to their team to play Tonga tomorrow. Simon Lemalu is now starter at Loose head Prop with Logavi'i Mulipola dropping to the bench. Ezra Taylor and Tasesa Lavea have been pulled from the team with James Johnston and Lua Vailoaloa taking their spots on the bench. I know we're still experimenting for the RWC, but 4 props, 3 scrum halves and only 1 specialist lock? not sure if that's a wise decision. Would've loved to see James Johnston start instead of Simon Lemalu and give Johnny Leota another chance in the centers to start. I truly think this game will be won and lost at first five with either Fa'atonu Fili or Kurt Morath. Fili as Ive stated before is the most hot and cold player you will ever see, but if hes on the top of his game then Tonga better look out and he may be able to book himself back into contention for a RWC spot. If he fires I think we'll win, if he doesn't and Morath kicks and controls the game the way he did vs Fiji (and not how he did against Japan) then the Tongans will definitely get over and win their first PNC ***le.

 

[IKALETAHI]

Sione Vaiomounga at openside flanker ? Sione Vaiomounga plays hooker (even though he is too small and probably better suited to flanker) . Dont see whats wrong with Koloamatangi, who is actually the only openside specialist in the Squad.

Looking foward to watching Fa'atonu Fili turn out. If hes having a good day, Tonga will have their work cut out for them. Foward battle will be important, Fili and Morath will need clean set piece ball along with a dominant Foward pack around the park.

 

[Super Sub]

Fili wasn't hot and cold in 2009, he was right on top his game right through the ITM competition - but I do wonder if he'll be able to handle the physicality of the Tongans.

The backline selected is quite small and not very physical, especially by PNC standards. I hope they can cope.

One problem about the Manu is that we never get answers for why certain selections are made, in turn it makes it hard to gauge where the coaches are going with the team - they need to put out better reports for the fans - or our media just need to hurry up and start asking the right questions.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Fili wasn't hot and cold in 2009, he was right on top his game right through the ITM competition - but I do wonder if he'll be able to handle the physicality of the Tongans.

Yes, I feel his best performances have been at New Zealand Provincial level and in the old Australian Rugby championship playing for the West Sydney Rams where he was on fire all season long. But look at how he played for Samoa when he got the call up in the EOYT 2009. He was at his horrible worst, and that's the side of him which I'm afraid of if he is to play for Samoa at the RWC. On his day hes electrifying and a match winner, but when its not he can look like the most horrible rugby player in the world.

One problem about the Manu is that we never get answers for why certain selections are made, in turn it makes it hard to gauge where the coaches are going with the team - they need to put out better reports for the fans - or our media just need to hurry up and start asking the right questions.

I agree, as I said I understand the experimentation and giving as many players as possible in the squad proper game time... but 4 props, 3 scrum halves and only 1 specialist lock? It sounds alil ludicrous to be honest. I hope Im wrong and we can still pull out the win. Though looking at the teams the Tongans look to be the more balanced outfit on paper, but the same thing was said when looking at Samoas team vs Fiji. It should be a good game.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

In saying that I still have the utmost faith in the selectors, management coaching staff and team as a whole. I trust come the Wallaby game and the RWC we will select as strong and as good as a lineup as we possibly can.

 

[Super Sub]

Yes, I feel his best performances have been at New Zealand Provincial level and in the old Australian Rugby championship playing for the West Sydney Rams where he was on fire all season long. But look at how he played for Samoa when he got the call up in the EOYT 2009. He was at his horrible worst, and that's the side of him which I'm afraid of if he is to play for Samoa at the RWC. On his day hes electrifying and a match winner, but when its not he can look like the most horrible rugby player in the world.

I agree, as I said I understand the experimentation and giving as many players as possible in the squad proper game time... but 4 props, 3 scrum halves and only 1 specialist lock? It sounds alil ludicrous to be honest. I hope Im wrong and we can still pull out the win. Though looking at the teams the Tongans look to be the more balanced outfit on paper, but the same thing was said when looking at Samoas team vs Fiji. It should be a good game.

Fili joined the team late and as a 10, you especially need to be schooled up on the gameplan and plays, and he didn't have the time to do that. On that tour, there weren't many who could hold their heads up high anyway.

It is a bit weird but it probably comes down to the Australian game; if there wasn't such a short turnaround, then they might've been able to field a more productive line-up - plus we don't know anything about injuries in the squad, so that could've affected the make-up of the squad. Who knows? We get slack feedback from the team every year.

I would've preferred Treviranus at 6 and Salavea at 8, because Salavea at least has a lot of experience there, whereas Treviranus has played majority of his rugby at 6 and 7. I also would've liked to have seen Leota at 12, where he plays his best rugby.

 

[IKALETAHI]

Samoan coach told the Fiji times selection was based around injuries along with wanting every player in the squad to have a run. Picking as many props as Samoa has for this game may work out well. Samoas scrum hasnt settled during the tournament, having a fresh pair of props might help Samoa in the later stages of the game (assuming they need it). This could indicate the coaches concerns, as they have struggled,while Tonga were dominant at scrum time against Fiji. This is a theory of course, Samoa could show up and belt Tonga in all areas of the game.

 

[DJRonStar]

I didn't see the Samoan scrum struggle against Fiji? What I did see, was the Fijian forward pack more committed and dominant at the rucks and mauls. I don't think Tafua is overly concerned in how the forward pack has gone. Remembering he did state that he wanted to give every player a game and chance to impress and prove themselves for the final 30 man squad for the world cup which will be named after test against Wallabies.

With a few of the players already in Australia gearing up for the test against the Wallabies, this is a chance for some of the fringe players to stand up and be counted. I'd have to say that having Cencus Johnston back will surely strengthen the front row from last week. By the looks of the team that has been named for tomorrows match, Samoa will probably look to open it up and play a more expansive game than what they did against Japan and Fiji. They have three open side flankers in the back row, brothers Ray & Ofisa as well as Manaia Salavea. The back line is blooming with pace in Lemi, Iosua and Otto and with Fa'atonu Fili running the show from first five, expect the unexpected. Fili has nothing to lose, he's the third choice number 10 but if he's on tomorrow then Samoa are in with a good chance to retain the PNC ***le.

Samoa: Logovii Mulipola, Wayne Ole Avei, Census Johnston, Filipo Levi, Jonathan Faamatuainu, Manaia Salavea, Ray Trevarinus, Ofisa Trevarinus, Brenton Helleur, Faatonu Fili, David Lemi, Herman Porter, Fautua Otto, Timoteo Iosua, James Sooialo. Reserves: Tii Paulo, Siuola Lemalu, Ezra Taylor, Afa Aiono, Uale Mai/Lualua Vailoaloa, Tasesa Lavea, John Leota.

11 changes to the side that lost to Fiji. 10 of whom will have there first start. Look forward to the game.

Go Manu!!

 

[psychic duck]

11. NAPIOLIONI NALAGA

great to see Nalaga back, hopefully despite lack of game time in 2011, he will be at his best during the RWC

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=741813759Congrates to Tonga, they Definitely were the better team today. Bar Fiji running a train over Japan ( I think they have to put a 30+ point victory over Japan) or vice versa (Japan by 50+ points) Tonga seem to have this years PNC in the bag. Its been a long time coming, but they deserve to win their first ever PNC.
For Samoa, players that impressed were David Lemi, as he was outstanding in the backfield again and Otto worked hard for the ball all day. So'oialos boot again was spot on for Samoa and kept them in the game for most of the match. Fili didnt get as much opportunity to be creative at first five but in saying that showed composure with the little ball he got and didn't make too many mistakes. In the forwards, The Ofisa brothers both were outstanding and Fa'amatuinau was great in the lineout as our lineout worked out well the whole day. Both hookers threw well and provided food for thought as to who we'll take to the RWC. Aiono played well bringing energy and commitment into the loose trio coming off the bench.
Now onto the things that didnt work well. The handling was pretty poor for most of the day and our Indiscipline cost us alot of points (though it didnt help having the most INCOMPETENT touch ref in the world). Our scrum wasn't great as Tonga seemed to have the edge over our pack. Cencus, while I like just as much as anyone else and is a great player in most aspects of the game, isn't our best scrummaging option at tight head prop as Taumalolo had the edge over him all day. I would atleast have him in a match day team to come off the bench as an impact player. Brenton Helleur on debut, sorry but it needs to be said, was HORRIBLE. His distribution was bad, and at times he looked Lazy on the field (Watch Taumalolos try and notice his half assed effort of a chase). Iosua was another who had a a bad day as his handling, decision making and defensive work was awful. I don't think we'll see either of those two play for Samoa for the rest of the year.
Of the players in this team, the ones I want in our final RWC squad are Cencus Johnston, Ti'i Paulo, Ole Avi, Filipo Levi, Jonnathon Fa'amatuinau, Manaia Salevea, Ray Ofisa, Ofisa Treviranus, Lua Vailoaloa, David Lemi and James So'oialo. Fa'atonu Fili, James Johnston Afa Aiono and Johnny Leota all deserve another look before judgement can be passed on them.