OMEGA Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 With Jason Taumalolo’s defection to Tonga earlier in the week now being followed by Andrew Fifita the Tonga World Cup Team will be a genuine threat. There’s some genuine World Class players and true International standard players in their squad and if they get their half backs combining well they’ll be a problem for the big 3. Tonga squad: Andrew Fifita, Mahe Fonua, David Fusitu’a, Siliva Havili, Ata Hingano, Will Hopoate, Konrad Hurrell, Michael Jennings, Solomone Kata, Sione Katoa, Samisoni Langi, Tuimoala Lolohea, Sika Manu, Manu Ma’u, Sam Moa, Ben Murdoch Masila, Joe Ofahengaue, Tevita Pangai junior, Ukuma Ta’ai, Sio Siua Taukieaho, Jason Taumalolo, Peni Terepo, Daniel Tupou, Manu Vatuvei. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidM Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 They had good backs and some strong forwards in 2013 but nothing linking the two . They have Hingano and Lolohea now , and are even stronger around them . I’m really looking forward to seeing them play and if they can play to the sum of their parts and put it together for a controlled 80 , which is the big challenge ... Tonga for the WC is actually on Oddscheckers list of most popular bets . 25/1 on betfred now is the biggest price and there was 80s around before ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colly Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Strong looking squad indeed, will be a handful for anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Prendle Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 I went to watch the Tonga V Cook Islands game at the LSV in 2013, and what a fantastic game that was. The 2017 squad is miles better than the 2013 one, and could cause a lot of problems for even the best teams in this WC. I would fancy them to beat England, and with the state of the NZ team this year, I think they could do them as well. Looking forward to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeordieSaint Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Who’s the No9? Key position... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewWoody Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-league/rugby-league-world-cup/jason-taumalolo-has-damaged-international-rugby-league-not-helped-it-20171005-gyupy1.html Toronto Wolfpack Global Ambassador Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Prendle Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 6 minutes ago, MatthewWoody said: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-league/rugby-league-world-cup/jason-taumalolo-has-damaged-international-rugby-league-not-helped-it-20171005-gyupy1.html I know that's only one guys opinion, but here's mine, he's talking bolloxx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMEGA Posted October 5, 2017 Author Share Posted October 5, 2017 Just my opinion on their likely starting team Tonga squad: Andrew Fifita, Mahe Fonua, David Fusitu’a, Siliva Havili, Ata Hingano, Will Hopoate, Konrad Hurrell, Michael Jennings, Solomone Kata, Sione Katoa, Samisoni Langi, Tuimoala Lolohea, Sika Manu, Manu Ma’u, Sam Moa, Ben Murdoch Masila, Joe Ofahengaue, Tevita Pangai junior, Ukuma Ta’ai, Sio Siua Taukieaho, Jason Taumalolo, Peni Terepo, Daniel Tupou, Manu Vatuvei. 1 Hopoate 2 Fonua 3 Jennings 4 Kata 5 Tupou 6 Lolohea 7 Hingano 8 Pangai jnr 9 Havili 10 Moa 11 Ma’u 12 Taukeiaho 13 Taumalolo 14 Ta’ai 15 Ofahengaue 16 A Fifita 17 Terepo Missing out but could easily be in the starting 17 Murdoch-Masila, Konrad Hurrell, Sika Manu, Manu Vatuvei, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Prendle Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 I really like Hurrell as a player. I would love to see him at Wigan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMEGA Posted October 5, 2017 Author Share Posted October 5, 2017 Kiwis have lost Proctor, Bromwich, Matulino, Taumalolo, and Harris from their squad, that’s a lot of experience and firepower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hvy wg Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 France vs Tonga quarter... We're so dead. Like NZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B rad Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 I think they will all be about penetration (get your mind out of the gutter) up the middle. I hope they don't get caught in the one out stuff Samoa did vs England. All Big men but still just men. They will need more then throw it to this guy then that guy to win games. Attack in numbers look for off loads and who knows where these guys could end up at the end of the tournament. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleD Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 4 hours ago, Hvy wg said: France vs Tonga quarter... We're so dead. Like NZ And England ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMEGA Posted October 5, 2017 Author Share Posted October 5, 2017 1 hour ago, B rad said: I think they will all be about penetration (get your mind out of the gutter) up the middle. I hope they don't get caught in the one out stuff Samoa did vs England. All Big men but still just men. They will need more then throw it to this guy then that guy to win games. Attack in numbers look for off loads and who knows where these guys could end up at the end of the tournament. There’s no doubting their threequarters and the pack, it all comes down to how their half backs and Hooker combine. If they can flourish behind a pack that’s on the front foot they’ll cause all sorts of problems with their back line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allora Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 Halfbacks win games more often than not with all else being equal. Talent is secondary to whether players are confident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidM Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 12 hours ago, OMEGA said: There’s no doubting their threequarters and the pack, it all comes down to how their half backs and Hooker combine. If they can flourish behind a pack that’s on the front foot they’ll cause all sorts of problems with their back line. I think this is a fair point . Even for the upgrade on last time around , that half pairing still has several question marks on it , and is inexperienced and unproven at this level . Hingano is still establishing himself from junior level and Tui is wildly unpredictable and inconsistent in much of what he does , as well as never settling in one position . Havili is a solid if unspectacular hooker , so these are key areas which will be tested in the heat of the comp , and if injury hits in these areas ..? They have plenty of names around but liniking them together and performing to their max will be another interesting part of watching them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.