Tonka Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 20 minutes ago, Tonka said: Would David Fifita have a chance of a Tonga jersey I wonder? I'll just dismiss my own stupid post there as the squad's announced and he's not in it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spidey Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 7 minutes ago, Tonka said: I'll just dismiss my own stupid post there as the squad's announced and he's not in it! He was in before Andrew jumped ship ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B rad Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Good video to go with this article. https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/kangaroos/andrew-fifita-follows-jasonb-taumalolo-hands-in-kangaroos-jersey-to-represent-tonga/news-story/86a30858162a27e49e03b0f1c6213380 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenson Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 12 minutes ago, DavidM said: Manu Ma’u , Fusitua and Taukeiaho also committed , as well as the other top NRL and former tier one players . Great for Tonga and a shot in the arm for the WC . The players themselves are making the choice and the rules are being used as a two way street . Hopefully more of these teams see strong contingents included , the talent pool is more spread ,and it’ll do the WC the world of good . Great point. I was saddened when talking to RL fan a few days ago who didn't know the World Cup was on, let alone care much. Hopefully this coverage invigorates casual fans, and it should certainly up the competitiveness. In a roundabout way, RL has opened debate on heritage in an increasingly fluid world, and the much-maligned eligibility rules could accidentally be somewhat of a leading model for the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deluded pom? Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 3 hours ago, B rad said: Yeah he played for them in 2014. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reagan_Campbell-Gillard "Campbell-Gillard is of Fijian descent through his mother, Georgina Campbell, who moved to Australia as a child." "Campbell-Gillard is the cousin of Sims brothers and fellow Fijian internationals Ashton Sims, Tariq Sims and Korbin Sims.[3]" Fair enough. Thanks for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleD Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 I think the real question is why are these players turning their nose up at Australia and NZ and choosing to represent Tonga - is it the coach? Can he really be that much of an influence? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B rad Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Interview: Kristian Woolf Tongan coach about what has happened this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidM Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 The other side of the coin is Mansour being picked for a crocked Boyd , so Lebanon have lost him . If they’d picked Addo Carr it would have been sweet both ways . Big match payments as well is an incentive . All very interesting and publicity ahead of the WC . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sports Prophet Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Tonga have a mean line up with these two new inclusions. I am fancying them for first or second in their group and a quarters win to secure a semi final spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewWoody Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 1 hour ago, DoubleD said: I think the real question is why are these players turning their nose up at Australia and NZ and choosing to represent Tonga - is it the coach? Can he really be that much of an influence? Not sure. I think maybe they'd prefere to play as leaders of a minnow nation. Or they're sincere in their choice. But at the end of the day it's good for the World Cup. Toronto Wolfpack Global Ambassador Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewWoody Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 1 hour ago, DavidM said: The other side of the coin is Mansour being picked for a crocked Boyd , so Lebanon have lost him . If they’d picked Addo Carr it would have been sweet both ways . Big match payments as well is an incentive . All very interesting and publicity ahead of the WC . True, but Lebanon still look strong imho. Toronto Wolfpack Global Ambassador Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frog Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 The nature of Pacific Island demographics means players by circumstance will play for Aus, kiwi, Tonga or whoever. Just don't continue the Heritage farce with Australian players dumping themselves on other Countries just for the RLWC. It's damaging to the future of the game .Also it's just plain embarrassing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewWoody Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 1 minute ago, Frog said: The nature of Pacific Island demographics means players by circumstance will play for Aus, kiwi, Tonga or whoever. Just don't continue the Heritage farce with Australian players dumping themselves on other Countries just for the RLWC. It's damaging to the future of the game .Also it's just plain embarrassing. And how is this happening? Toronto Wolfpack Global Ambassador Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southerner80 Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Does anyone know how much income these players get for playing for Tonga? I can't imagine it's alot. Same with Fiji and PNG. It will be interesting to see how the WC plays out. If any team gets within 10 points of 0z I will be suprised. Sadly England although decent don't look like they will contain Oz. NRL this year has changed and the game they are playing is going to be hard to stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewWoody Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 7 minutes ago, Southerner80 said: Does anyone know how much income these players get for playing for Tonga? I can't imagine it's alot. Same with Fiji and PNG. It will be interesting to see how the WC plays out. If any team gets within 10 points of 0z I will be suprised. Sadly England although decent don't look like they will contain Oz. NRL this year has changed and the game they are playing is going to be hard to stop. English based players will be tired, too, after such a long season. But God, I love their halves' combination this time... Toronto Wolfpack Global Ambassador Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidM Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 21 minutes ago, Southerner80 said: Does anyone know how much income these players get for playing for Tonga? I can't imagine it's alot. Same with Fiji and PNG. It will be interesting to see how the WC plays out. If any team gets within 10 points of 0z I will be suprised. Sadly England although decent don't look like they will contain Oz. NRL this year has changed and the game they are playing is going to be hard to stop. $30 a day for Tonga apparently during the WC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleD Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 2 hours ago, DavidM said: The other side of the coin is Mansour being picked for a crocked Boyd , so Lebanon have lost him . If they’d picked Addo Carr it would have been sweet both ways . Big match payments as well is an incentive . All very interesting and publicity ahead of the WC . I think I read that Mansour didn’t have want to play for Lebanon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddsy Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 He must have plenty of cash to throw away 50K match fee for 3K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spidey Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Just now, Paddsy said: He must have plenty of cash to throw away 50K match fee for 3K Maybe it's about more than money and it's actually about pride in the country in question. That's what International Rugby is all about isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spidey Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Has Samoa or Fiji announced their squad(s) yet? Any more dropouts predicted to NZ or Aus? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exiled Wiganer Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Back to the original thread and Fifita going to Tonga, to play alongside Taumalolo is exactly the sort of story we want at the this stage in the build up to the World Cup. I woke up to messages from mates overnight saying how good tonga was looking... the World Cup can be a springboard for an opening of hearts and minds to the breadth of our great game. While so much hinges on our ability to give the Aussies a run for their money, seeing that the game matters in PNG, France, Tonya, Fiji and Samoa is a major step forward for our game. Of course some other nations will be more of a stretch, but just getting every leaguie more aware of the reach of our game in 2017 will be a major step forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deluded pom? Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 4 minutes ago, Exiled Wiganer said: Back to the original thread and Fifita going to Tonga, to play alongside Taumalolo is exactly the sort of story we want at the this stage in the build up to the World Cup. I woke up to messages from mates overnight saying how good tonga was looking... the World Cup can be a springboard for an opening of hearts and minds to the breadth of our great game. While so much hinges on our ability to give the Aussies a run for their money, seeing that the game matters in PNG, France, Tonya, Fiji and Samoa is a major step forward for our game. Of course some other nations will be more of a stretch, but just getting every leaguie more aware of the reach of our game in 2017 will be a major step forward. You're stretching things a bit there EW. You actually have mates? In the plural? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graveyard johnny Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 tedesco makes himself available to play for Italy, best thing here for me is top top nrl talent want to be a big part of this world cup and the international stage is alight with passion and desire to pull on a shirt of pride, brilliant stuff see you later undertaker - in a while necrophile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frog Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Do you want an International World Cup or a Western Sydney Invitation Event? Having competitive teams may look good but it's not a competition between nations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deluded pom? Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 21 minutes ago, graveyard johnny said: tedesco makes himself available to play for Italy, best thing here for me is top top nrl talent want to be a big part of this world cup and the international stage is alight with passion and desire to pull on a shirt of pride, brilliant stuff A shirt of pride or a shirt of convenience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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