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Complete Squads for the 2011 PACIFIC NATIONS CUP

I dont mean to sound like im disagreeing with any statements or disrespecting anyones opinion when I say this. I think the Churchill Cup was great for Tonga, but keep in mind from the starting side that played Fiji, Taumalolo, Taukafa, Fa'aoso, Kalamafoni, Vahafolau, Fisilau, Mailei, Taufa, and Lilo all joined the squad a week before the game against Fiji . Which showed with a few knock ons and untidy play.
 
I dont mean to sound like im disagreeing with any statements or disrespecting anyones opinion when I say this. I think the Churchill Cup was great for Tonga, but keep in mind from the starting side that played Fiji, Taumalolo, Taukafa, Fa'aoso, Kalamafoni, Vahafolau, Fisilau, Mailei, Taufa, and Lilo all joined the squad a week before the game against Fiji . Which showed with a few knock ons and untidy play.
I don't understand..how is anything you said disrespectful to anyone? Tonga played well last w/e, they are playing some good rugby as of late.
 
You never know on forums lol agreed Tonga have been showing some improving signs along with some consistency. The new Tongan Rugby Board and coaches are doing a great job.

Sadly the current Tongan Rugby Board has been summoned to appear before a parliamentary sub-committee which was set up due to Former Tongan Rugby Chairman Mr Saulala. Saulala wants the Board returned to the people. All this before a World Cup...
 
"Fiji ring the changes for Samoa"

http://www.fijilive.com/sports/rugby/news/2011/07/07/22219.Fijilive
Fiji have made eight changes and a positional switch to the first XV that lost to Tonga for their Pacific Nations Cup clash against Samoa on Saturday.

The changes see Campese Ma'afu replace Graham Dewes at loosehead and Talemaitoga Tuapati comes in at hooker in place of Viliame Veikoso.

Leone Nakarawa who featured prominently when he came in the second half against Tonga will form the new locking combination with Sekonaia Kalou at the expense of Tevita Cavubati.

Rupeni Nasiga starts on the blindside flank in place of Jo Domolailai who starts from the bench whilst Sakiusa Matadigo starts at No.8.

In the backs, Vereniki Goneva moves to left wing, making way for Ilikena Bolakoro to start at right wing, Ravai Fatiaki comes at inside to form the new midfield combo with Albert Vulivuli. Taniela Rawaqa starts at fullback in place of Kini Murimurivalu.

Head coach Samu Domoni and his fellow coaching staff have kept the faith in the halves combination of Nemia Kenatale and Nicky Little.

The match is set for a 3.10pm kick-off at the National Stadium, Suva.

Fiji: 15 Taniela Rawaqa, 14 Ilikena Bolakoro, 13 Albert Vulivuli, 12 Ravai Fatiaki, 11 Vereniki Goneva, 10 Nicky Little, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Sakiusa Matadigo, 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Rupeni Nasiga, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Sekonaia Kalou, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Talemaitoga Tuapati, 1 Campese Ma'afu
Reserves: Viliame Veikoso, Penijamini Makutu, Josefa Domolailai, Malakai Volau, Vitori Buatava, Waisea Luveniyali, Adriu Delai

glad to see Nakarawa brought in at lock he was really good when he came off the bench, i just hope its the same when he starts coz some players perform better when they come off the bench, i'm not sure why Waqaniburotu is out, maybe he's injured, i'm glad they changed the blindside flanker and brought in Nasiga, i know the number 8 Matadigo has a good rep in the Top 14, but imo he lacks physical strength despite his size, but apparently his strengths are in other areas of the game. Nicky Little is still first five but the fact they brought in goal kicker Taniela Rawaqa at fullback could means they plan to bring on first five Luveniyali later on. 2nd five Lovobalavu is apparently injured too but i'm looking forward to seeing Fatiaki for the first time
 
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it looks the same Japan team that faced Samoa last week. Are you sure this is correct? if so Im amazed they're leaving Arlidge out again. The game wouldve been alot closer had they had his boot or someone else who could kick decently at goal. Ryan Nicholas wont do (Ive seen him kick the horrible in the past for Japan before) and webb had a bad day aswell. Surely they have better kickers in their stocks behind Arlidge if he isnt to start.
Looking at Fijis lineup against Samoa, it looks more like their B team than a Fiji side even close to being at full strength. Im surprised Nicky Little retains his spot starting at first five. Little made a very costly decision when the game was in the balance vs Tonga to have try line fever and get himself isolated when he had a three on one overlap outside him. It lead to the 14 point turnaround that was caused by the ensuing turnover and the length of the field try by Iongi. I would've thought Fiji would choose someone else and given them an opportunity to showcase their wares before the RWC against a very strong looking Samoa outfit.
 
PSYCHIC DUCK. According to http://jrfu.org/index.php?option=co...-japan-squad-announcement&catid=1:latest-news this is the squad for the game vs Tonga.
[TABLE="class: txtsmall, width: 100%"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #b0c4de, align: center"]Position[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #b0c4de, align: center"]
Name[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #b0c4de, align: center"]
Club Team[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #b0c4de, align: center"]
Age[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #b0c4de, align: center"]
Graduate[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #b0c4de, align: center"]
cm[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #b0c4de, align: center"]
kg[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #b0c4de, align: center"]
D・O・B[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #b0c4de, align: center"]
Caps[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
Hisateru HIRASHIMA[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
KOBE STEEL Kobelco Steelers[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]28[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
Fukuoka Univ.[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]180[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]110[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]1983/1/15[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]22[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: white, align: center"]
Yusuke AOKI[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]
SUNTORY Sungoliath[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]28[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]
Waseda Univ.[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]176[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]95[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]1983/6/19[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]19[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
Kensuke HATAKEYAMA[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
SUNTORY Sungoliath[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]25[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
Waseda Univ.[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]178[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]116[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]1985/8/2[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]19[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]4[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: white, align: center"]
Justin IVES[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]
PANASONIC Wild Knights[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]27[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]
Taieri College (NZ)[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]196[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]100[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]1984/5/24[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]5[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]5[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
Luke THOMPSON[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
KINTETSU Liners[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]30[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
Lincoln Univ. (NZ/JPN)[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]196[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]109[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]1981/4/16[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]31[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]6[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: white, align: center"]*
Takashi KIKUTANI[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]
TOYOTA Verblitz[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]31[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]
Osaka University Of
Health And Sport Sciences[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]187[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]100[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]1980/2/24[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]40[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]7[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
Michael LEITCH[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
TOSHIBA Brave Lupus[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]22[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
Tokai Univ.[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]190[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]103[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]1988/10/7[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]16[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]8[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: white, align: center"]
Ryukoliniasi HOLANI[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]
PANASONIC Wild Knights[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]29[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]
Saitama Institute of Technology (TGA/JPN)[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]188[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]111[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]1981/10/25[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]17[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]9[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
Fumiaki TANAKA[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
PANASONIC Wild Knights[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]26[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
Kyoto Sangyo Univ.[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]166[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]75[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]1985/1/3[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]26[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]10[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: white, align: center"]
James ARLIDGE[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]
NOTTINGHAM(ENG)[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]31[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]
Auckland Univ. (NZ)[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]187[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]93[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]1979/8/11[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]27[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]11[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
Hirotoki ONOZAWA[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
SUNTORY Sungoliath[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]33[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
Chuo Univ.[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]180[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]85[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]1978/3/29[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]61[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]12[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: white, align: center"]
Ryan NICHOLAS[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]
SUNTORY Sungoliath[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]32[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]
Otago Univ. (NZ)[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]192[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]100[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]1979/5/23[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]28[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]13[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
Koji TAIRA[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
SUNTORY Sungoliath[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]28[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
Doshisha Univ.[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]185[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]94[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]1983/1/12[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]26[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]14[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: white, align: center"]
Kosuke ENDO[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]
TOYOTA Verblitz[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]30[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]
Hosei Univ.[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]186[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]90[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]1980/11/11[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: white, align: center"]36[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]15[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
Shaun WEBB[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
COCA-COLA West Red Sparks[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]29[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]
Lincoln Univ. (NZ)[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]180[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]90[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]1981/12/30[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #ffe4e1, align: center"]27[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]16[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
Shota HORIE[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
Panasonic Wild Knights[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]25[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
Teikyo Univ.[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]180[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]104[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]1986/1/21[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]10[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]17[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
Naoki KAWAMATA[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
PANASONIC Wild Knights[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]25[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
Meiji Univ.[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]184[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]118[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]1985/10/31[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]14[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]18[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
Hitoshi ONO[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
TOSHIBA Brave Lupus[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]33[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
Nihon Univ.[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]192[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]105[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]1978/5/6[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]48[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]19[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
Itaru TANIGUCHI[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
KOBE STEEL Kobelco Steelers[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]26[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
Tsukuba Univ.[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]188[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]105[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]1984/10/1[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]4[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]20[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
Atsushi HIWASA[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
SUNTORY Sungoliath[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]24[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
Hosei Univ.[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]166[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]71[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]1987/5/22[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]3[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]21[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
Go ARUGA[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
SUNTORY Sungoliath[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]27[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
Kanto Gakuin Univ.[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]175[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]84[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]1983/11/3[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]15[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #f8f8ff, align: center"]22[/TD]
[TD="class: txt1, bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
Takehisa USUZUKI[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
TOSHIBA Brave Lupus[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]25[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]
Doshisha Univ.[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]180[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]88[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]1985/9/28[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #f5f5f5, align: center"]3[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
 
Tonga team named to face japan. The few changes for Tonga, Telefoni comes into tighthead prop for Lea'aetoa who is dropped from the side (where the hell is Kisi Pulu?). Joe Tuineau comes in to start in the second row in place of Lokotui who is now on the bench. Ma'afu is named as the new captain replacing Vahafolau who limped off injured in the game vs Fiji, at openside flanker. Didnt seem serious but its probably better to give him the rest this week. Unchanged backline from the game vs Fiji and Maleko Latu named on the bench as the replacement prop in an otherwise unchanged bench.
TONGA

1. ALISONA TAUMALOLO
2. EPHRAIM TAUKAFA
3.
SEMISI TELEFONI
4. PAINO HEHEA
5.
JOE TUINEAU
6. LISIATE FA'AOSO
7.
VILIAMI MA'AFU(CAPTAIN)
8. SIONE KALAMAFONI
9. SEMISONI FISILAU
10. KURT KURATH
11. VILIAMI IONGI
12. ANDREW MAILEI
13. ALASKA TAUFA
14. VILIAMI HELU
15. VUNGAKOTO LILO (V/C)


Reserves

16. ILAISA MAASI
17. MALEKO LATU
18.
TUKULUA LOKOTUI
19.SIONE VAIOMOUNGA

20. SOANE HAVEA
21. HUDSON TONGAUIHA

22. MATEO MALUPO
 
As someone who isn't overly knowledgable about island rugby. I'm just wondering why Tonga'uiha doesn't play? Is he in a similar situation to people like Nacewa?
 
I think he'll play in the WC, but won't have been released by Saints (well, PRL) for the PI Cup as it falls outside the international window (I believe)
 
Thought Isitolo would have gave other players a go. Players like Maleko Latu will not be playing come world cup, so I dont see why he shouldnt be giving players like Kisi Pulu game time.

Not giving Koloamatangi game time has confirmed Finau Maka will Captain and play openside come world cup, Which as AfakasiAssasin stated before is not a position suited to Maka.

Iwas hoping he would try Taumalolo at THP to see if he could play there when Soane Tonga'uiha returns. Another worry is Soane Havea to slow and poor distribution, Cant see how he is International standard. BRING IN TANIELA MOA.

On to positives its shaping up to be a good weekend of Footy, got the PNC during the day and the S15 Final.
 
Thought Isitolo would have gave other players a go. Players like Maleko Latu will not be playing come world cup, so I dont see why he shouldnt be giving players like Kisi Pulu game time. Not giving Koloamatangi game time has confirmed Finau Maka will Captain and play openside come world cup, Which as AfakasiAssasin stated before is not a position suited to Maka.Iwas hoping he would try Taumalolo at THP to see if he could play there when Soane Tonga'uiha returns. Another worry is Soane Havea to slow and poor distribution, Cant see how he is International standard. BRING IN TANIELA MOA. On to positives its shaping up to be a good weekend of Footy, got the PNC during the day and the S15 Final.
they may be playing well and winning some games ATM but I question the same things you do IKALETAHI. Telefoni, a predominant hooker rather than tighthead, over Pulu or even Filise (Fainga'anuku is another who played ok for someone with no professional or international experience at the Churchill cup)? Ma'afu, Vahafolau and Maka playing out of position at open side rather than Koloamatangi, blooding someone else who is a natural number 7 or bringing back Nili Latu ?? Keeping players like Havea (I agree his distribution can be very poor) and Lea'aetoa in the fold and not choosing to bring in players such as Latu, T-Pole and Moa??? As I said I think Tonga is playing relatively well ATM, but I think they could be doing better and could be an even bigger threat come RWC If some of these player were not playing out of position and that the Better options were playing in their natural regular positions (Pulu at tighthead, Telefoni at hooker, Ma'afu Maka and Vahafolau at number 8 or Blindside, Koloamatangi at openside). Despite what's been done in the past and how other Tongan posters may feel, I do wish Coach Maka could be alil more forgiving, swallow his pride and Allow players like Latu and Moa back into the team. Tonga would be much much stronger if they were available and playing.
 
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Lineups for Round 2
Samoa vs Fiji
SAMOA
1. SIMON LEMALU
2. MAHONRI SCHWALGER (C)
3. LOGOVII MULIPOLA
4. FILIPO LEVI
5. DANIEL LEO
6. GEORGE STOWERS
7. MAURIE FA’ASAVALU
8. TAIASINA TUIFU’A
9. UALE MA’I
10. TASESA LAVEA
11. DAVID LEMI
12. ELIOTA FUIMAONO SAPOLU
13. JOHNNY LEOTA
14. SAILOSI TAGICAKIBAU
15. PAUL WILLIAMS

reserves

16. TI’I PAULO
17. ANTHONY PERENISE
18. EZRA TAYLOR
19. OFISA TREVIRANUS
20. LUALUA VAILOALOA
21. TUSI PISI
22. JAMES SO’OIALO

FIJI
1. Campese Ma’afu
2. Talemaitoga Tuapati
3. Deacon Manu (c)
4. Sekonaia Kalou
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. Rupeni Nasiga
7. Malakai Ravulo
8. Sakiusa Matadigo
9. Nemia Serelevu
10. Nicky Little
11. Vereniki Goneva
12. Ravai Fatiaki
13. Albert Vulivuli
14. Ilikena Bolakoro
15. Taniela Rawaqa

Reserves
16. Viliame Veikoso
17. Penijamini Makutu
18. Josefa Domolailai
19. Malakai Volau
20. Vitori Buatava
21. Waisea Luveniyali
22. Adriu Delai


Japan vs Tonga
JAPAN
1. HISATERU HIRASHIMA
2. YUSUKE AOKI
3. KENSUKE HATAKEYAMA
4. JUSTIN IVES
5. LUKE THOMPSON
6. TAKASHI KIKUTANI (c)
7. MICHAEL LEITCH
8. RYUKOLINIASI HOLANI
9. FUMIAKI TANAKA
10. JAMES ARLIDGE
11. HIROTOKI ONOZAWA
12. RYAN NICHOLAS
13. KOJI TAIRA
14. KOSUKE ENDO
15. SHAUN WEBB

Reserves

16. SHOTA HORIE
17. NAOKI KAWAMATA
18. HITOSHI ONO
19. ITARU TANIGUCHI
20. ATSUSHI HIWASA
21. GO ARUGA
22. TAKEHISA USUZUKI


TONGA
1. ALISONA TAUMALOLO
2. EPHRAIM TAUKAFA
3.
SEMISI TELEFONI
4. PAINO HEHEA
5.
JOE TUINEAU
6. LISIATE FA'AOSO
7.
VILIAMI MA'AFU(CAPTAIN)
8. SIONE KALAMAFONI
9. SEMISONI FISILAU
10. KURT KURATH
11. VILIAMI IONGI
12. ANDREW MAILEI
13. ALASKA TAUFA
14. VILIAMI HELU
15. VUNGAKOTO LILO (V/C)


Reserves

16. ILAISA MAASI
17. MALEKO LATU
18.
TUKULUA LOKOTUI
19.SIONE VAIOMOUNGA

20. SOANE HAVEA
21. HUDSON TONGAUIHA

22. MATEO MALUPO
 
Anyone who wants to watch the Pacific nations cup in Australia. Round 2 is being shown on Fox Sports 3 this Saturday from 3:30 to 6:30pm EST and Round 3 will be shown live next Wednesday on Fox Sports 2 from 10:30am till 3pm EST.
 
Go Manu Samoa! Good to see some of the other players get a run. A big back row with Stowers, Fa'asavalu & Tuifua. Hope they get around the park as quick as the Fijians.
 
Interesting to see Fiji's approach to these games leading into the Rugby World Cup. Im wondering if it will pay off. They have deliberately chose a B team for this tournament. I was reading an article where it said Warren Gatland would be present at tomorrow's game between Fiji and Samoa. Fiji's manager stated it didnt bother him as Fiji was missing 10 frontline players and would be a "different beast" come the World Cup .

Fiji are missing Well-known players such as Seru Rabeni, Kameli Ratuvou, Seremaia Bai, Michael Tagicakibau, Gabi Lovobalavu, Akapusi Qera, Sisa Koyamaibole, Iliesa Keresoni, Josefa Domolailai, Asaeli Boko, Timoci Matanavou, and Ifereimi Rawaqa. I was wondering what you all thought and if The Manu Samoa supporters think this is an advantage to Fiji, or if the game time Samoa's top players are getting together gives them the advantage.
 
i think fiji need this time to field these new players because a lot of fiji's top players have chosen not to play, even for the world cup. their best fullback Matavesi, their starting lock from last year Jone Qovu, their best winger Delasau, Henry Speight, Nacewa and Bobo have all withdrawn, brumbies prop Yanuyanutawa also hasn't joined thus far, so Fiji definitely needs this to bring in some new players to fill the void, especially at fullback. Btw i don't think Matanavou will be in the main squad, he's not that good, i think Domolailai and Lovobalavu were just injured from the Tonga game, the coach said most of the changes in that game were because of injuries. Honestly i don't think Fiji's best team will be too different from the team in the PNC, on paper samoa have always had the best team but its not always the case on the field.

in the 2007 world cup, Fiji's team hadn't played together much and it showed in their opening matches when they nearly lost to Japan and should have lost to Canada, but they got it right for the game against Wales and did pretty well against South Africa, its like they were peaking at just the right time, so yeah i'm one of those who believe in peaking haha, so hopefully fiji will peak just in time for the world cup

this is my team atm

Ma'afu/Yanuyanutawa (if he makes himself available)
Talemaitoga - best game i've seen him play
Manu
Kalou
I. Rawaqa
Waqaniburotu - hopefully waikato don't cock block him
Qera
Koyamaibole
Kenatale
Bai
Nalaga/Nagusa - depending on Nalaga's form, nagusa is the best performing winger atm
Lovobalavu/Rabeni/Naqelevuki - its really hard to tell haha
Vulivuli
Nagusa/M. Tagicakibau/Ratuvou - again hard to tell since they hasn't even played Ratuvou yet
Ratuvou/T. Rawaqa - Rawaqa had a great game, but time will tell if he can do it consistently
 
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Lineups for Round 3
Samoa vs Tonga
SAMOA
1 Simon Lemalu
2 Ole Avei
3 Census Johnston
4 Filipo Levi (C)
5 Jonathan Fa'amatuainu
6 Manaia Salavea
7 Ray Ofisa
8 Ofisa Treviranus
9 Brenton Helleur
10 Fa'atonu Fili
11 David Lemi
12 Herman Porter
13 Fautua Otto
14 Timoteo Iosua
15 James So'oialo

Reserves

16 Ti'i Paulo
17 Logovi'i Mulipola
18 James Johnston
19 Afa Aiono
20 Uale Mai
21 Lua Vailoaloa
22 Johnny Leota


TONGA
1. ALISONA TAUMALOLO
2. ILAISA MAASI
3. SILA KI VAI PUAFISI
4. TUKULUA LOKOTUI
5. JOE TUINEAU
6. VILIAMI MAAFU
7. SIONE VAIOMOUNGA
8. ( C ) SAMIU VAHAFOLAU
9. SOANE HAVEA
10. KURT MORATH
11. MATEO MALUPO
12. HUDSON TONGAUIHA
13. SUKANIVALU HUFANGA
14. VILIAMI HELU
15. ( V / C ) VUNGAKOTO LILO

Reserves

16. EPRHAIM TAUKAFA
17. MALEKO LATU
18. PAINO HEHEA
19. SIONE KALAMAFONI
20. SAMISONI FISILAU
21. TOMASI PALU
22. VILIAME IONGI

Fiji vs Japan
FIJI
1.GRAHAM DEWES
2. SUNIA KOTO
3. STEFANO SOMOCA
4. TEVITA CAVUBATI
5. IFEREIMI RAWAQA
6. DOMINIKO WAQANIBUROTU (C)
7. AKAPUSI QERA
8. SISA KOYAMAIBOLE
9. VITORI BUATAVA
10. SEREMAIA BAIKEINUKU
11. NAIPOLIONI NALAGA
12. SERU RABENI (VC)
13. RAVAI FATIAKI
14. TIMOCI NAQUSA
15. ILIESA KERESONI

Reserves

16. TUAPATI TALEMAITOGA
17. PENIKAMINI MAKUTU
18. RUPENI NASIGA
19. JIMILAI NAIKADAWA
20. WAISELE VATUVOKA
21. WAISEA LUVENIYALI
22. TANIELA RAWAQA


JAPAN
1. NAOKI KAWAMATA
2. TAKESHI KIZU
3. NOZOMU FUJITA
4. JUSTIN IVES
5. TOSHIZUMI KITAGAWA
6. ITARU TANIGUCHI
7. MICHAEL LEITCH

8. C TAKASHI KIKUTANI
9. ATSUSHI HIWASA
10. MURRAY WILLIAMS
11. HIROTOKI ONOZAWA
12. RYAN NICHOLAS
13. KOJI TAIRA
14. TAKEHISA USUZUKI
15. GO ARUGA

Reserves

16. SHOTA HORIE
17. KENSUKE HATAKEYAMA
18. HITOSHI ONO
19. TADASUKE NISHIHARA
20. TOMOKI YOSHIDA
21. SHAUN WEBB
22. YUTA IMAMURA
 
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Looks like Fiji is going for an all out ASSAULT on Japan and win the PNC. Much stronger lineup than their past two with the exception of their midfield (Lovobalavu and Vulivuli). Samoa going into the match with a very experimental team and look alil vulnerable against a more balanced Tongan outfit. japan have also made a few wholesale changes. If Fiji can blow Japan away and Samoa beat Tonga they could well take this years PNC. Samoa will have to win by atleast two tries to be comfortable with Tonga only needing a win to secure and retain their PNC ***le. Japan will need to put alot of points up and win against Fiji if they are to win the PNC. The competition is still wide open going into Wednesday.
 
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