B rad Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/10/16/australia-v-tonga-team-lists/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B rad Posted October 16, 2018 Author Share Posted October 16, 2018 https://www.nzherald.co.nz/league/news/article.cfm?c_id=79&objectid=12142824 Fifita calls for Eden Park games featuring Tonga. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwis 13 6 Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 Tonga might just want to see how this one goes first before looking into Eden park Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost crayfish Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 Interesting looking at the teams head to head like that. The tongan forwards and outside backs match what Australia have, so you'd like to think they can defend ok and make good metres. If the halves can bring some control and a decent kicking game, then they'll be right in it. If they get some second phase going, with the crowd behind them, anything could happen! Very exciting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B rad Posted October 16, 2018 Author Share Posted October 16, 2018 I think emotion will play a huge part in this game. The atmosphere and the feeling that they are hard done by the RLIF with games, recognition, payment and general passion for their nation will have Tonga fired up. It depends on what they do with that emotion. If they try to intimidate Australia too much and give away silly penalties Australia could put a big score on them. If they use it well and dominate the Australian pack with tough legal play, anything could happen. Jennings up against Mitchell could be personal since Jennings was let go by the Roosters so Mitchell could take his place. Jennings will be out to put one over on the form centre of the NRL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pulga Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 1 hour ago, ghost crayfish said: Interesting looking at the teams head to head like that. The tongan forwards and outside backs match what Australia have, so you'd like to think they can defend ok and make good metres. If the halves can bring some control and a decent kicking game, then they'll be right in it. If they get some second phase going, with the crowd behind them, anything could happen! Very exciting. I'd say the Tongan forwards are much better. But Australia has some good players in key positions. If Tonga can bash them for the first 20 minutes Australia could fold. They lack the composure that players like Smith, Cronk and Thurston were so good at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleD Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 21 minutes ago, Pulga said: I'd say the Tongan forwards are much better. But Australia has some good players in key positions. If Tonga can bash them for the first 20 minutes Australia could fold. They lack the composure that players like Smith, Cronk and Thurston were so good at. The Tongan forwards are much better, but I do think the Aussie backs are better - Mitchell, Holmes and Tedesco are better than Tonga's equivalents. Going to be interesting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunbar Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 Once again Meninga has gone for just one prop on the bench alongside two back row forwards and a utility. I felt that in the New Zealand test the momentum swung towards the Kiwis when the interchange forwards came on and New Zealand had more power off the bench. The middle forwards for Australia have to stand up this week or they could be in for a shock. "The history of the world is the history of the triumph of the heartless over the mindless." — Sir Humphrey Appleby. "If someone doesn't value evidence, what evidence are you going to provide to prove that they should value it? If someone doesn't value logic, what logical argument could you provide to show the importance of logic?" — Sam Harris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeordieSaint Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 Are SKY showing the game? And can we have this pinned Mods as a game thread? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wackojacko Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 Yeah, on at 7 UK time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunbar Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 10 minutes ago, wackojacko said: Yeah, on at 7 UK time. Great. And the wife and daughter are in Italy for the weekend and so no need for the test match Rugby League vs. Vamparina debate which I always lose. "The history of the world is the history of the triumph of the heartless over the mindless." — Sir Humphrey Appleby. "If someone doesn't value evidence, what evidence are you going to provide to prove that they should value it? If someone doesn't value logic, what logical argument could you provide to show the importance of logic?" — Sam Harris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_57 Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 15 hours ago, kiwis 13 6 said: Tonga might just want to see how this one goes first before looking into Eden park Regardless of this weekend's result, I think if you play NZ V Tonga at Eden park next year a minimum 40k show up, sell out entirely possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kayakman Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 I sure hope Tonga wins this one.......Kava, Kava! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Future is League Posted October 17, 2018 Share Posted October 17, 2018 I see Tonga starting off like a house on fire, but Australia gradually taking control and winning by 14 points at least Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex Evans Thigh Posted October 17, 2018 Share Posted October 17, 2018 Sounds like it’s a sell out as well, fantastic. Tonga have a real chance although I think Australia will win in the end. I can see Cook and Tedesco getting some success round the ruck. International RL, lovely stuff. When’s Tonga’s next game? Formerly Alistair Boyd-Meaney fifty thousand Poouunds from Keighley...weve had im gid." MIPM Project Management and Business Solutions " Discounts available for forum members contact me for details Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B rad Posted October 17, 2018 Author Share Posted October 17, 2018 "The level of interest in this game has been staggering so it will be great to see the house full sign up outside Mt Smart Stadium this Saturday,” NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said in a statement. https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/10/17/australia-kangaroos-v-mate-maa-tonga-test-sold-out/ Fairly sure it was sold out 4 weeks a go and they added more seating Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunbar Posted October 17, 2018 Share Posted October 17, 2018 A new era is about to emerge for Rugby League. For almost 50 years the Kangaroos have been the dominant team in world rugby and the reason was simple. They selected the elite players from the elite league(s) in Australia. The best of the best in Australia were the best of the best in the world. Here is an article from 2015... https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-focus-on-polynesians-means-australian-rugby-league-will-continue-to-suffer-former-kiwi-coach-claims/news-story/b220e41bc2f8461700fb48a2f75c63b4 Quote Thirty-eight per cent of players in the NRL have Polynesian heritage. In 1985, that figure was just 1.8 per cent. Forty per cent of Holden Cup players this year are Polynesian. We are seeing with this Tongan team (and to a lesser extent, at the moment, Samoa) the end result of this Polynesian influx into the NRL. When 40% of the player pipeline is eligible and motivated to play for the Pacific Island teams it is only natural that they will improve no end. We are not seeing a blip with this Tongan team, we are seeing the future. The Australians will always be good but they will not be head and shoulders above the pack for the next five decades have they have been for the last five. I'm looking forward to seeing how it unfolds. "The history of the world is the history of the triumph of the heartless over the mindless." — Sir Humphrey Appleby. "If someone doesn't value evidence, what evidence are you going to provide to prove that they should value it? If someone doesn't value logic, what logical argument could you provide to show the importance of logic?" — Sam Harris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B rad Posted October 18, 2018 Author Share Posted October 18, 2018 4 hours ago, Dunbar said: We are seeing with this Tongan team (and to a lesser extent, at the moment, Samoa) the end result of this Polynesian influx into the NRL. When 40% of the player pipeline is eligible and motivated to play for the Pacific Island teams it is only natural that they will improve no end. We are not seeing a blip with this Tongan team, we are seeing the future. The Australians will always be good but they will not be head and shoulders above the pack for the next five decades have they have been for the last five. I'm looking forward to seeing how it unfolds. Hopefully Samoan and Fijian players will take note and decide to follow the trend. Both with eligible players could field a side of similar strength to Tonga and Samoa could get similar crowd support in New Zealand. I wonder where PNG will be in 10 years time if the Hunters continue to develop players. Less reliant on heritage hopefully one day they also will be a force. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex Evans Thigh Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 34 minutes ago, B rad said: Hopefully Samoan and Fijian players will take note and decide to follow the trend. Both with eligible players could field a side of similar strength to Tonga and Samoa could get similar crowd support in New Zealand. I wonder where PNG will be in 10 years time if the Hunters continue to develop players. Less reliant on heritage hopefully one day they also will be a force. None of this will be remotely possible unless there is a well structured international schedule that has established, regular, meaningful fixtures for international teams. every country should have at least four fixtures a year and be part of a tournament or series. If something structured and meaningful is in place for all nations it can grow. At the moment it has no chance. Formerly Alistair Boyd-Meaney fifty thousand Poouunds from Keighley...weve had im gid." MIPM Project Management and Business Solutions " Discounts available for forum members contact me for details Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B rad Posted October 18, 2018 Author Share Posted October 18, 2018 2 minutes ago, Tex Evans Thigh said: None of this will be remotely possible unless there is a well structured international schedule that has established, regular, meaningful fixtures for international teams. every country should have at least four fixtures a year and be part of a tournament or series. If something structured and meaningful is in place for all nations it can grow. At the moment it has no chance. I agree with everything you say except the remotely possible part. If I said to you early last year Tonga would be doing what they are doing I'm sure most would say that was not remotely possible, and yet, here we are. Definitely need a set in stone calendar where each of these nations is getting at least 3 or 4 games a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roughyedspud Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 Tonga by 6 OLDHAM RLFC the 8TH most successful team in british RL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex Evans Thigh Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 20 minutes ago, B rad said: I agree with everything you say except the remotely possible part. If I said to you early last year Tonga would be doing what they are doing I'm sure most would say that was not remotely possible, and yet, here we are. Definitely need a set in stone calendar where each of these nations is getting at least 3 or 4 games a year. The Tonga success story is an anomaly which has cropped up despite the international environment. It demonstrates the potential but highlights the lack of strategic growth by the game. With better leadership we could see your vision come to fruition with multiple teams competing at a high level. In the current environment the Tonga success story will wither and die within a couple of years. They are where they because of the players who created their own incentives, the game needs to start providing the incentives and we’ll soon see more Tongas. Formerly Alistair Boyd-Meaney fifty thousand Poouunds from Keighley...weve had im gid." MIPM Project Management and Business Solutions " Discounts available for forum members contact me for details Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwis 13 6 Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 On 10/17/2018 at 11:45 AM, jim_57 said: Regardless of this weekend's result, I think if you play NZ V Tonga at Eden park next year a minimum 40k show up, sell out entirely possible. Uumh I'd still wait and see how this weekends games First Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Frightful Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 On 10/16/2018 at 10:22 AM, GeordieSaint said: Are SKY showing the game? On 10/16/2018 at 10:46 AM, wackojacko said: Yeah, on at 7 UK time. It's 7am by the way, in case anyone is in doubt. Sky even seem to be in doubt over who is playing. Looks like Tonga are going to be busy on Saturday morning... Watch Sky Sports SAT 20TH OCTOBER New Zealand v Tonga NRL Test, Sky Sports Arena (07:00) Hull FC....The Sons of God... (Well, we are about to be crucified on Good Friday) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattSantos Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 Saturday afternoon - cannot wait for this. Running the Rob Burrow marathon to raise money for the My Name'5 Doddie foundation: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ben-dyas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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