Fiji vs Tonga RWC warm up

[AfakasiAssasin]

Date: Saturday, 13 August 2011
Kick-off: 15.30
Venue: Churchill Park in Lautoka

Teamsheets

Fiji: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Albert Vulivuli, 12 Seremaia Bai (vice-capt), 11 Adriu Delai, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Vitori Buatava, 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Wame Lewaravu, 4 Rupeni Nasiga, 3 Deacon Manu (captain), 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Campese Maafu,
Replacements: 16 Viliame Veikoso, 17 Waisea Daveta, 18 Jovilisi Domolailai, 19 Masi Matadigo, 20 Waisale Vatuvoka, 21 Ravai Fatiaki, 22 Iliesa Keresoni


Tonga: 15 Viliame Iongi, 14 William Helu, 13 Sukanaivalu Hufanga, 12 Andrew Mailei, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Samisoni Fisilau, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Sione Vaiomo'unga, 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 Paino Hehea, 4 Tukulua Lokotui, 3 Halani Aulika, 2 Aleki Lutui (captain), 1 Alisona Taumalolo
Replacements: 16 Ephraim Taukafa, 17 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 18 Sione Timani, 19 Samiu Vahafolau, 20 Tomasi Palu, 21 Siale Piutau, 22 Vungakoto Lilo

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Some interesting moves made to the Tongan lineup. Looks like coach Maka is doing alittle experimentation with Viliame Iongi named at fullback and Semisoni Fisilau at Fly half . Good to see the debuts of Tongas new super rugby contingent with Taniela Moa, Halani Aulika and Fetu'u Vainikolo starting and Siale Piutau backing up on the bench.

 

[psychic duck]

Some interesting moves made to the Tongan lineup. Looks like coach Maka is doing alittle experimentation with Viliame Iongi named at fullback and Semisoni Fisilau at Fly half . Good to see the debuts of Tongas new super rugby contingent with Taniela Moa, Halani Aulika and Fetu'u Vainikolo starting and Siale Piutau backing up on the bench.

I can see why Tonga are playing Fisilau at 10, because Tonga would be doomed if Morath got injured as after him they are very limited at 10, so it is a good idea to give somebody else a chance to see if they could fill in at 10 if Morath got injured

Not sure about Iongi at full back however, I also would have liked to see Piutau starting

for Fiji, I would have kept Bai at 10 still and do Fiji really not have any props better than Campese Ma'afu?

 

[Bail]

Tonga lineup is just scaring. If Fisilau have the same performance than against Italy A and Barbarians, Fiji will be thrashed once more. It's unbelievable how Tonga forwards are far better than Fiji ones.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Wame Lewaravu will get a try - you heard it here first

 

[Thingimubob]

Out of interest, how close would people say that Fijian lineup is to the strongest one that will be available to them in the World Cup?
So far Tonga are looking like they might put in some cracking performances in the World Cup, one thing that I love about this World Cup is how much I'm looking forward to seeing the battle between Canada, Tonga and Japan in Group A, and how they'll do again France and New Zealand.

 

[Muzzy]

Out of interest, how close would people say that Fijian lineup is to the strongest one that will be available to them in the World Cup?
So far Tonga are looking like they might put in some cracking performances in the World Cup, one thing that I love about this World Cup is how much I'm looking forward to seeing the battle between Canada, Tonga and Japan in Group A, and how they'll do again France and New Zealand.

Kalou, Lovobalavu and Nalaga are still recovering from injuries, Ifi Rawaqa, Serelevu/Kenatale/Nanuku, Nagusa, Qera and Nakarawa have been left out. I just remembered Nakarawa is in the military so he won't be allowed to play in the world cup, this is such a shame because Nakarawa was one of Fiji's best players in this years PNC, he plays lock. Several players withdrew from the RWC. Bai and Little have been Fiji's main first five's so i guess they're trying out Luveniyali. I haven't really seen Delai play before, i hope he's fast coz this doesn't look like a fast fijian back line to me

seeing Taniela Moa there scares me, he's been on fire in the ITM Cup, and Fisilau has the power and size of a loose forward. It will be interesting to see how Vainikolo does. I think Tonga should beat Canada but its gonna be interesting to see how their best team will do against Japan since Japan have beaten them for the last 4 or 5 years in a row now

i hope Fiji win but it could go either way, Fiji have been slow starters against Tonga

 

[Muzzy]

could anyone pass me a link to this game please idk if it will be streamed but its not showing on tv in nz, they don't even have it listed in the fixtures on most rugby sites

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

^ I 2nd that. If anyone can PM me a link to see the game would be great.

 

[Muzzy]

can't find anything but this has live scores at least

http://au.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/live-scores/

fiji 21 tonga 5

 

[Muzzy]

Fiji win 27 - 12

Fiji:
Tries: Goneva, Murimurivalu, Nasiga
Conversions: Bai 3/3
Penalties: Bai 2/2

Tonga:
Tries: Iongi 2
Conversions: Fisilau 1/2
Penalties: Fisilau 0/2

i wish i could have seen the game, Fisilau doesn't usually play first five and idk if he's a regular goal kicker but if they did have a goal kicker like Morath it probably would have been a lot closer. Good win for Fiji

EDIT: http://www.fijirugby.com/pages.cfm/fru-news?newsid=fiji-beat-tonga-27-12-punjas-series

Three first half tries and a powerful defensive effort from the Flying Fijians gave them a morale boosting 27-12 victory at Churchill Park this afternoon. It served as revenge of sorts after the 45-21 mauling Fiji received from their island neighbours during the Pacific Nations Cup last month.

Inspirational Nadi winger Vereniki Goneva opened the scoring in the third minute, and against the run of play, as a slippery ball was dropped by the Tongan backline in Fiji's 22m area. The loose ball was picked up and booted up field by fullback Kini Murimurivalu with Goneva on hand to gather the bouncing ball and claim a clear run under the Tongan posts.

Tonga took just seven minutes to respond through a well worked try to their find of the season, fullback Viliami Iongi, who finished off a slick backline move from an attacking Tongan line-out. It's been a meteoric rise for the diminutive winger cum fullback who at the beginning of the season was struggling to make the Brumbies Development team but now is on the verge of making his Rugby World Cup debut.

To their credit Fiji kept their cool and discipline and led by a rampaging Sisa Koyamaibole, who steamrolled any Tongan who got in his way, were soon on the scoreboard again. This time it was Albert Vulivuli making the midfield bust before being dragged down short of the line. From the ensuing play Vitori Buatava found Rupeni Nasiga out wide who went over in the tackle of the Tongan defense.

Seremaia Bai converted from out wide to give Fiji a 14-5 lead.

It was a lead that was extended in the 35th minute when fullback Kini Murimurivalu ran through, and then around the Tongan defense, to score a good individual try. Bai's third conversion gave Fiji a 21-5 halftime lead.

The Tongans got the possible start to the second half when Iongi claimed his second in the first minute of the restart. Samisoni Fisilau nailed the sideline conversion to give Tonga real hope as Fiji held a now tenuous 21-12 lead. But despite enjoying the advantage in both territory and possession, throughout the second period, the Tongans were unable to add any further points and two penalties from Bai eventually gave Fiji the win 27-12.

Fiji's win means Tonga must now beat Fiji by 16 or more points to claim the Punjas Series.

 

[brynylon]

Fiji 27 Tonga 12.Moa,Vainikolo and all the other "Jonny Come Latelys" couldnt win for Tonga.I thought they were going to make the team better?

 

[187]

Fiji 27 Tonga 12.Moa,Vainikolo and all the other "Jonny Come Latelys" couldnt win for Tonga.I thought they were going to make the team better?

Yeah true. Bloody eat arses probably thought they were too good.

 

[WhoDaresWin]

Game was live on Fiji TV and still not sold on our perfomances. At least our scrum has improved slightly (thank you Michael Foley), but one thing we really lacked was a speedster. I know....I'm surprised as well but that Iongi fella just had too much gas to burn. Scored two wonderful tries and ran down Vereniki Goneva in the 2nd half in what looked like a certain run-away try for the big Fijian winger.
Adriu Delai just omitted his name from the RWC list after that lacklustre perfomance on the wing.

Moa spent the majority of the 2nd half playing at 5/8. A lot of handling errors also from the Tongan big boys helped our cause.

 

[IKALETAHI]

Im not too worried about the result a very experimental side mixed in with players who only had a couple days to gel into the side. Im hoping Isitolo uses this next game to play what he feels is his strongest side (available). I would Like to see

15. Vunga Lilo
14. Fetu'u Vainikolo
13. Alipate Fatafehi
12. Siale Piutau
11. Vili Iongi
10. Kurt Morath
9. Tanilea Moa
8. Samiu Vahafolou
7. Finau Maka
6. Vili Ma'afu
5. Joe Tuineau
4. Paino Hehea
3. Kisi Pulu
2. Ilaisa Ma'asi
1. Soane Tonga'uiha

16. Aleki Lutui/Ephraim Taukafa
17. Sona Taumalolo
18. Sione Timani/ Halani Aulika/ Tau Filise
19. Sione kalamafoni
20. Lisiate Fa'aoso
21. Samisoni Fisilau
22. William Helu

I reckon the 5/2 split for Tonga is the Go they have backs who can play multiple position all over the park. They have alot of quality in the fowards so its hard to pick a starting line-up. Thats why I would go with the 5-2 split, Tongas strength is the in the fowards to have fresh legs with that kind of depth would play to Tongas strengths.

 

[brynylon]

Cant see how Vainikolo can be in their strongest team.

 

[Muzzy]

Game was live on Fiji TV and still not sold on our perfomances. At least our scrum has improved slightly (thank you Michael Foley), but one thing we really lacked was a speedster. I know....I'm surprised as well but that Iongi fella just had too much gas to burn. Scored two wonderful tries and ran down Vereniki Goneva in the 2nd half in what looked like a certain run-away try for the big Fijian winger.
Adriu Delai just omitted his name from the RWC list after that lacklustre perfomance on the wing.

Moa spent the majority of the 2nd half playing at 5/8. A lot of handling errors also from the Tongan big boys helped our cause.

thats what i was thinking when i saw the team on paper. Goneva has been Fiji's best performing winger this year, but i remember made his first appearance for Fiji as a centre not a winger and it seems to me like he doesn't have the speed of a winger, but he's been performing great regardless and seems to score a try nearly every game he plays, even if he doesn't have the speed. Its a shame coz i was just watching Henry Speight playing for Waikato today and he was playing great and is incredibly fast, another player to be poached? I already knew none of the rest of Fiji's backline had great speed either but they were smart players at least. Its a shame Delasau has also pulled out of the RWC, Bolakoro might have some speed though

Im not too worried about the result a very experimental side mixed in with players who only had a couple days to gel into the side. Im hoping Isitolo uses this next game to play what he feels is his strongest side (available). I would Like to see

15. Vunga Lilo
14. Fetu'u Vainikolo
13. Alipate Fatafehi
12. Siale Piutau
11. Vili Iongi
10. Kurt Morath
9. Tanilea Moa
8. Samiu Vahafolou
7. Finau Maka
6. Vili Ma'afu
5. Joe Tuineau
4. Paino Hehea
3. Kisi Pulu
2. Ilaisa Ma'asi
1. Soane Tonga'uiha

16. Aleki Lutui/Ephraim Taukafa
17. Sona Taumalolo
18. Sione Timani/ Halani Aulika/ Tau Filise
19. Sione kalamafoni
20. Lisiate Fa'aoso
21. Samisoni Fisilau
22. William Helu

I reckon the 5/2 split for Tonga is the Go they have backs who can play multiple position all over the park. They have alot of quality in the fowards so its hard to pick a starting line-up. Thats why I would go with the 5-2 split, Tongas strength is the in the fowards to have fresh legs with that kind of depth would play to Tongas strengths.

i think Tonga would be much more dangerous with Morath, Fatafehi and Lilo, be interesting to see how the 2nd test goes and which players the teams will field.

If Talei is fit Fiji really need to play him already

 

[IKALETAHI]

Never rated Will Helu so unless Piutau or Fatafehi moves to Wing and Tonga bring in another center then Vainikolo for mine is our best option.

 

[brynylon]

Iongi and Piutau wings,Fatefehi centre,Lilo fullback,Mailei second five,Morath first five,Moa halfback.Remember Piutau was left wing for Highlanders.Its time Tonga put their starting team for the World Cup on the field this Friday.The 10,12,13 trio were together in PNC 2010 and were good and know each others moves.It gets me why they have left it so late!

 

[brynylon]

I believe Alaska Taufa has been sacrificed for the Jonny Come Latelys-the Tongan selectors should look up the word LOYALTY in the dictionary.Vainikolo ahead of Taufa-seriosly?