Possible Fijian national team would be very strong competition for England

[Manfred Mann]

If Fiji could select its strongest possible team, it would be very strong and perhaps could defeat England. Many of its players are stars in the NRL.

The team below is very powerful in every position except the halves. The forwards could match it with the English pack, and the outside backs, if given good service, would be stronger than the English outside back line. The only question is whether the youth and inexperience of the Fijian halves would cripple the rest of the team. The lack of star halves is an ongoing problem for Fijian rugby league.

The continuing strength of the Fijian rugby league team is despite the fact that several Fijian former rugby league stars --- wingers Semi Radradra, Marike Koroibete, and Eto Nabuli -- have already left the NRL for rugby union and achieved international representative honours in that code. The current efforts of the NRL to promote rugby league in Fiji, with the help of Australian government money, could eventually reap the result of an even stronger Fijian national team.

Best possible Fijian team:

 

Kevin Naiqama (St Helens) 

Suilasi Vunivalu (Melbourne), Waqa Blake (Parramatta),  Marcelo Montoya (Canterbury-Bankstown), Maika Sivo (Parramatta),

 

 Sitiveni Moceidreke (Canberra), 

Brandon Wakeham (Canterbury-Bankstown)

 

Jason Bukuya (Cronulla)

Williame Kikau (Penrith), Korbin Sims (St George-Illawarra),

Tui Kamikamica (Melbourne), Apisai Korisau (Manly),  Daniel Saifiti (Newcastle)

 

Interchange:  Tariq Sims (St George-Illawarra),   Kane Evans (Parramatta), Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle)   Brayden Williame (Catalans),

 

Reserves: Mikaele Ravalawa (St George-Illawarra), Ben Nakubuwai (Salford), Joe Lovodua (St. George-Illawarra)

[Omott91]

Hopefully their depth and lack of halves will be solved with the introduction of the Fijian team into the Aussie system starting next year in the Ron Massey cup (third division)  and then Nsw cup the year after emulating the Png Hunters.

Pretty sure that I read that the Fijian team will be a feeder team for the Wests Tigers.

[BULLETT]

36 minutes ago, Omott91 said:

Hopefully their depth and lack of halves will be solved with the introduction of the Fijian team into the Aussie system starting next year in the Ron Massey cup (third division)  and then Nsw cup the year after emulating the Png Hunters.

Pretty sure that I read that the Fijian team will be a feeder team for the Wests Tigers.

They may not give the international Callander much thought but they sure no how to grow their own talent pool.

[Sir Kevin Sinfield]

They have some great players, they beat New Zealand in the World Cup and can be a threat to anyone they play. Halfback is probably their weakness. It’s encouraging that two of their best players,  Vunivalu and Kikau are Fijian born, hopefully the Aussie’s don’t come in and poach them. 

[ghost crayfish]

If they can find a proper halfback and Radrada comes back to rugby league, they could stack up next to Tonga as a genuine threat in 2021. 

[Click]

It is definately good to have more of these South Sea Island teams getting stronger.

Hopefully their halves depth will improve over the next couple of years, and they become a bigger threat at the next WC

[Yakstorm]

Have never understood why the RFL doesn't invite Pacific Teams over to provide England with more home internationals and grow the England brand.

Even when they did the 'half-baked' Federation Shield which had England A in it, matches like England v Samoa drew as much as England v France, and as shown at the 2013 RLWC, a full strength England can draw 25,000 for a match against Fiji if marketed right.

If the RFL had some more initiative they could create a schedule where they could alternate what Pacific team came over each year (ie. Y1 Fiji, Y2 Tonga, Y3 Samoa) and so it didn't impact on any Kiwi / Kangaroo tours, they could even just limit it to one match between say Fiji v England, and then let the touring Pacific side take on France or Wales to build out their tour.

It would provide another valuable game for England each year which could be shown at a decent time on BBC, draw a crowd, make the sponsors happy, and ensure that England always plays at home.  They could have even squeezed in a match this year if they wanted to before the GB tour, just name an England team of those who aren't with the Lions (don't call it Knights) against a Pacific team made up of those players not taking part in the Nines.

It would also do wonders for growing the perception of RL as an international sport by actually seeing England play some other opponents. 

[Allora]

15 hours ago, Sir Kevin Sinfield said:

They have some great players, they beat New Zealand in the World Cup and can be a threat to anyone they play. Halfback is probably their weakness. It’s encouraging that two of their best players,  Vunivalu and Kikau are Fijian born, hopefully the Aussie’s don’t come in and poach them. 

You obviously do not understand the rules.

The only blatant overseas player that Australia has poached in recent memory was Radrada even though he may have qualified under the residency rules at the time.

The Australians themselves changed the rules so that would not occur again.

 

[Big Picture]

13 hours ago, Allora said:

You obviously do not understand the rules.

The only blatant overseas player that Australia has poached in recent memory was Radrada even though he may have qualified under the residency rules at the time.

The Australians themselves changed the rules so that would not occur again.

The Brits here seem to think that all the pro players with Polynesian and Melanesian names grew up in those islands, when in fact most of them grew up in either Australia or New Zealand.

[jim_57]

19 hours ago, ghost crayfish said:

If they can find a proper halfback and Radrada comes back to rugby league, they could stack up next to Tonga as a genuine threat in 2021. 

Brandon Wakeham looked good in the Pacific test and has debuted in the NRL this year. He could be the key. Radradra not so much, great player and all all but they're fairly stacked for wingers already.

[jim_57]

15 hours ago, Allora said:

You obviously do not understand the rules.

The only blatant overseas player that Australia has poached in recent memory was Radrada even though he may have qualified under the residency rules at the time.

The Australians themselves changed the rules so that would not occur again.

 

Australia could still select Kikau and Vunivalu after they've lived there for 5 years straight. So it could occur again.

[Sir Kevin Sinfield]

19 hours ago, Allora said:

You obviously do not understand the rules.

The only blatant overseas player that Australia has poached in recent memory was Radrada even though he may have qualified under the residency rules at the time.

The Australians themselves changed the rules so that would not occur again.

 

I’m well aware of the rules. As they always have, Australia will pick whoever is the best available player, regardless of whether they qualify through place of birth, residency or through parents/grandparents. 

[Allora]

26 minutes ago, Sir Kevin Sinfield said:

I’m well aware of the rules. As they always have, Australia will pick whoever is the best available player, regardless of whether they qualify through place of birth, residency or through parents/grandparents. 

Rubbish

[Sir Kevin Sinfield]

25 minutes ago, Allora said:

Rubbish

Felise Kaufusi, Semi Radradra, James Tamou, Akulia Uate, Antonio Kaufusi, , Karmicheal Hunt, Toni Carroll, Hazem el Masri, Willie Mason, Petro Civiniceva, Lote Tuqiri, John Hoporate 

[Davo5]

On 19 August 2019 at 06:58, Sir Kevin Sinfield said:

They have some great players, they beat New Zealand in the World Cup and can be a threat to anyone they play. Halfback is probably their weakness. It’s encouraging that two of their best players,  Vunivalu and Kikau are Fijian born, hopefully the Aussie’s don’t come in and poach them. 

It's vital that the game puts some serious investment into Fiji as the talent their is frightening.

We need to be playing games in Fiji as part of a playing calender that actually gives the likes ofKikau & Vunivalu the chance to play for their country on a regular basis.

[Allora]

4 hours ago, Sir Kevin Sinfield said:

Felise Kaufusi, Semi Radradra, James Tamou, Akulia Uate, Antonio Kaufusi, , Karmicheal Hunt, Toni Carroll, Hazem El Masri, Willie Mason, Petro Civiniceva, Lote Tuqiri, John Hoporate 

You do realise Australia is a Country with a very large immigrant population, especially from the Pacific Islands.

There is a large uptake of Australian citizenship by the immigrants to Australia for many reasons.

If they have lived in Australia since being kids and qualify and  perhaps hold Australian Passports who are you to say they have been poached by Australia to play for the Kangaroos?

Petro Civoniceva's family moved to Australia before he was One year old.

Felise Kaufusi family moved to Australia when he was Seven years old.

Hasim El Masri's family  moved to Australia when he was Twelve years old

James Tamou's family moved to Australia when he was thirteen years old.

Karmicheal Hunt's family moved to Australia when he was Eleven years old.

Lote Tuqiri's family moved to Australia when he was Fifteen years old.

Antonio Kaufusi's family moved to Australia when he was Fourteen years old.

I can not be bothered looking at the rest of them

Radrada was probably the oldest player that came to Australia as an adult as a 19-20 year old.

He moved to Australia in 2011/2012 he was selected for Australia in 2016 and many Aussies do not like his selection based on he had already played for Fiji.

You are confusing Australia poaching players, when in fact Australia is selecting players that are Australians that have moved to Australia for a better life when in most cases were youngsters that were brought into the game through the Australian school system.

You want to include three Aussies in the GB/England teams because they have Grandparents from the UK and have played in England for a year or two.

What message does that send to any aspiring up and comers in England?

What message does it send to Australian and Kiwi fans when cast offs are the best GB/England can come up with?

If you believe any of the three you want selected will put any fear or concern into the Southern Hemisphere teams you are dreaming.

If England/GB continue to select "Heritage players" and think it will be accepted by the other two of the so called "big three" fans.. it just drives another nail in the Test fans coffins.

Look at the gems you have picked in the past.

Maurie Fasavalu

Rangi Chase

Chris Heighington

Chris McQueen.

 

 

 

 

[Allora]

3 hours ago, Davo5 said:

It's vital that the game puts some serious investment into Fiji as the talent their is frightening.

We need to be playing games in Fiji as part of a playing calender that actually gives the likes ofKikau & Vunivalu the chance to play for their country on a regular basis.

What is your plan?

What is your plan for France, Wales, Ireland, Italy, Lebanon, Croatia, Russia and Scotland?

 

Don't have a plan or even a thought on what you post Davo5 just a confused face?

Says it all really.

 

[Davo5]

46 minutes ago, Allora said:

What is your plan?

What is your plan for France, Wales, Ireland, Italy, Lebanon, Croatia, Russia and Scotland?

 

Don't have a plan or even a thought on what you post Davo5 just a confused face?

Says it all really.

 

Wow your really good at this editing stuff.

Tryreading my post.

Im no international development officer but having spoke to lads who have toured there recently funding for kits,equipment,development officers etc is needed.

At least a couple of international fixtures in Fiji every year to ignite the public interest in the national team instead of the 1 game a year in a rundown stadium in Western Sydney would be a start.

[Davo5]

1 hour ago, Allora said:

You do realise Australia is a Country with a very large immigrant population, 

 

 

 

 

Yeah we do,we sent most of them there.

[Sports Prophet]

On 19/08/2019 at 15:57, ghost crayfish said:

If they can find a proper halfback... 

England and GB have been looking for one of these since the 90s without luck. What chance does Fiji have

[Allora]

8 hours ago, Davo5 said:

Yeah we do,we sent most of them there.

Wrong again Champ

[Allora]

9 hours ago, Davo5 said:

Wow your really good at this editing stuff.

Tryreading my post.

Im no international development officer but having spoke to lads who have toured there recently funding for kits,equipment,development officers etc is needed.

At least a couple of international fixtures in Fiji every year to ignite the public interest in the national team instead of the 1 game a year in a rundown stadium in Western Sydney would be a start.

Start whipping your Hat around your mates to get it funded then.

Talks cheap, staging games that lose significant amounts of money isn't.

Your mob can even play your next door neighbours on a regular basis.

[Davo5]

4 hours ago, Allora said:

Start whipping your Hat around your mates to get it funded then.

Talks cheap, staging games that lose significant amounts of money isn't.

Your mob can even play your next door neighbours on a regular basis.

Oh dear,you really need to get out more and possibly get some therapy for that persecution complex.