Fiji vs Tonga RWC warm up

[brynylon]

Fatefehi is too slow to be a wing-his strength is his ability to give them mid-field go forward when required!

 

[brynylon]

Saturdays game against Fiji showed just how important Kurt Morath is to Tonga.God save Tonga if he goes down injured,they wont beat anybody.Apart from his excellent goal-kicking stats,he is their organiser,the vital key to how their backline and overall game plan works.People should know he has been hampered by a groin and achilles problem that is hard to get 100% right.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Saturdays game against Fiji showed just how important Kurt Morath is to Tonga.God save Tonga if he goes down injured,they wont beat anybody.Apart from his excellent goal-kicking stats,he is their organiser,the vital key to how their backline and overall game plan works.People should know he has been hampered by a groin and achilles problem that is hard to get 100% right.

Why not Pierre Hola as back up? he is 34 but he'd probably be their next best option at first five or even Fangatapu Apikatoa. Better to take a back up specialist fly half and not need it then need one and not have it and atm it seems they dont have a back up specialist.

 

[brynylon]

Pierre Hola is the next best.Plays for Eastwood in Sydney,the top side.In good form and a specialist 10.He might be 34 but he is easily the next best.Why not selected?He is available I know that and always has been..Ask the selectors.Politics again I believe.

 

[ranger]

Saturdays game against Fiji showed just how important Kurt Morath is to Tonga.God save Tonga if he goes down injured,they wont beat anybody.Apart from his excellent goal-kicking stats,he is their organiser,the vital key to how their backline and overall game plan works.People should know he has been hampered by a groin and achilles problem that is hard to get 100% right.

His younger brother Jonnie Morath has been known to play a bit of first five from time to time. Hes also a top notch fullback and an even more reliable goalkicker than Kurt (with longer range too might i add) Hes only 20-21, but i'm suprised they havent gotten him involved in at least the wider group.

 

[brynylon]

Tongan team for Friday available.Lilo Fatefehi Piutau new starters in the backs.Tuineau Maka Faaoso Tongahuia Leaaetoa new starters in the forwards.
More new combinations in the backs.You would have thought that the inside back combination of Moa,Morath and Fatefehi would have been given more games together.This is probably their first and last chance to play together under Test conditions before the All Blacks.I believe they should have stuck with Morath and Malei as a combination and put Piutau in Vainikolos place.

 

[brynylon]

Sorry forgot to put Morath in as a new back starter.

 

[IKALETAHI]

Agree brynlyon they should of used this game to field the strongest Team available. Can anyone who watched the game perhaps give us some insight on how Fetu'u Vainikolo went ? I know he had trouble of defence and decision making, He had speed (would say hes quicker then Iongi) he just seem to throw silly offloads and miss 1 on 1 tackles. Could Anyone tell us how he went ? Another thing why are they playing Lilo on the wing and Iongi at Full Back all of a sudden ? Lilo has been playing Full Back for Tonga his whole career. Iongi was a Wing for the Brumbies and would sometimes slot in a center for his Club.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Could Anyone tell us how he went ? Another thing why are they playing Lilo on the wing and Iongi at Full Back all of a sudden ? Lilo has been playing Full Back for Tonga his whole career. Iongi was a Wing for the Brumbies and would sometimes slot in a center for his Club.

I guess to see if Iongi can double as cover at Fullback come RWC if they were not to include a back up on the bench and Lilo was to go down.

 

[kulo8]

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 agree, I also think this is the best mix with the p,ayers they have. Fisilau can cover 10 and so can Moa, I also have never rated Helu that much but who can we have there? Timani can cover lock and flanker (blind) and is a good ball carrier. I would have 'Aulika ahead of Filise.....

Cant see how Vainikolo can be in their strongest team.

Who else would you have? and can those players do what he can when given the chance?

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

I also have never rated Helu that much but who can we have there?

Who else would you have? and can those players do what he can when given the chance?

What about Mateo Malupo? He been a regular in the lineup the last 2 years and can cover fullback and wing. Whats your opinion on him? IMO I rate him more than I do Viliami Helu...And whatever happened to Seti Kiole? He was a STUD for Tonga on the wing in 2006-2007. Big strong winger the same mold as his cousin Jonah Lomu, was chosen for the 2007 RWC squad but never played a game and hasnt been seen for Tonga since. He could be the perfect compliment to the speed and elusiveness of Viliami Iongi on the other wing.

 

[IKALETAHI]

I think as there is enough cover there we just need to have 2 backs on the bench. If Fetu'u Vainikolo starts with Iongi on the wings with Piutau and Fatafehi in the centers then id like to see Mailei and Fisilau on the bench. Helu just doesnt have that elusiveness or speed (although he suprised me against Samoa showing abit of speed).

 

[Muzzy]

Tongan Team named for 2nd Test:
http://www.matangitonga.to/article/sports/rugby/20110815_tonga_secondtest.shtml

1. Soane Tonga'uiha
2. Aleki Lutui
3. Tonga Lea'aetoa
4. Lisiate Fa'aoso
5. Joseph Tuineau
6. Sione Kalamafoni
7. Finau Maka (captain)
8. Viliami Ma'afu
9. Taniela Moa
10. Kurt Morath
11. Vunga Lilo
12. Siale Piutau
13. Alipate Fatafehi
14. Fetu Vainikolo
15. Viliame Iongi

16. Aloisio Ma'asi
17. Halani 'Aulika
18. Sione Timani
19. Samiu Vahafolau
20. Andrew Ma'ilei
21. Thomas Palu
22. Sukanaivalu Hufanga

Nine changes made to the tongan side from last week, Tonga have chosen a really fast back line, all the backs from 11 - 15 have played as wingers

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Tongan Team named for 2nd Test:
http://www.matangitonga.to/article/sports/rugby/20110815_tonga_secondtest.shtml

1. Soane Tonga'uiha
2. Aleki Lutui
3. Tonga Lea'aetoa
4. Lisiate Fa'aoso
5. Joseph Tuineau
6. Sione Kalamafoni
7. Finau Maka (captain)
8. Viliami Ma'afu
9. Taniela Moa
10. Kurt Morath
11. Vunga Lilo
12. Siale Piutau
13. Alipate Fatafehi
14. Fetu Vainikolo
15. Viliame Iongi

16. Aloisio Ma'asi
17. Halani 'Aulika
18. Sione Timani
19. Samiu Vahafolau
20. Andrew Ma'ilei
21. Thomas Palu
22. Sukanaivalu Hufanga

Nine changes made to the tongan side from last week, Tonga have chosen a really fast back line, all the backs from 11 - 15 have played as wingers

A pretty close to full strength side except for two things. Tonga Lea'aetoa...really? Do I need to get into how **** he is again?? And I understand experimenting having Iongi at fullback, but why start Vunga Lilo and have him on the wing then? Its not like they lack players to cover the wing position so if he is to start he should be at fullback as he is far and away there best option at that position. Other than that a pretty good team. The backline definatly is probably what it would look like at full strength except the positioning switch of Iongi and Lilo.

 

[mate_ma'a_tonga]

1. Soane Tonga'uiha
2. Aleki Lutui
3. Tonga Lea'aetoa
4. Lisiate Fa'aoso
5. Joseph Tuineau
6. Sione Kalamafoni
7. Finau Maka (captain)
8. Viliami Ma'afu
9. Taniela Moa
10. Kurt Morath
11. Vunga Lilo
12. Siale Piutau
13. Alipate Fatafehi
14. Fetu Vainikolo
15. Viliame Iongi

16. Aloisio Ma'asi
17. Halani 'Aulika
18. Sione Timani
19. Samiu Vahafolau
20. Andrew Ma'ilei
21. Thomas Palu
22. Sukanaivalu Hufanga

the team looks alright not the best but close to it. i kinda question moraths playmaking skills i reckon for a defender it would be so easy to defend against the tongan backline knowing morath will always PASS! just hope come world cup this changes. GO TONGA! lol

 

[brynylon]

He wont always PASS in the World Cup.If you watched him play for Eastern Suburbs in Sydney,in the Eastwood game he made a number of clean line breaks.Tonga dont want him to show too much just yet.Im assured that Chris Boyd their new backline coach from NZ has a new game book for the backs for NZ.Judge him then!

 

[ranger]

1. Soane Tonga'uiha
2. Aleki Lutui
3. Tonga Lea'aetoa
4. Lisiate Fa'aoso
5. Joseph Tuineau
6. Sione Kalamafoni
7. Finau Maka (captain)
8. Viliami Ma'afu
9. Taniela Moa
10. Kurt Morath
11. Vunga Lilo
12. Siale Piutau
13. Alipate Fatafehi
14. Fetu Vainikolo
15. Viliame Iongi

16. Aloisio Ma'asi
17. Halani 'Aulika
18. Sione Timani
19. Samiu Vahafolau
20. Andrew Ma'ilei
21. Thomas Palu
22. Sukanaivalu Hufanga

the team looks alright not the best but close to it. i kinda question moraths playmaking skills i reckon for a defender it would be so easy to defend against the tongan backline knowing morath will always PASS! just hope come world cup this changes. GO TONGA! lol

Morath wont really create holes for himself like Quade Cooper will, but trust me if someone tries to d him up like that and slide off cause they "know" he passes everytime, Morath will tear straight through them. He doesn't create breaks, but he sure as **** can capitalise on them if the opposition mess up.

 

[Muzzy]

well the tongan team looks pretty strong to me

Fijian Team named:
http://www.fijirugby.com/pages.cfm/fru-news/?section=2011&newsid=qera-captain-flying-fijians

1. CAMPESE MA'AFU
2. SUNIA KOTO
3. WAISEA DAVETA
4. RUPENI NASIGA
5. WAME LEWARAVU
6. NETANI TALEI
7. AKAPUSI QERA (C)
8. SISA KOYAMAIBOLE
9. VITORI BUATAVA
10. WAISEA LUVENIYALI
11. MICHAEL TAGICAKIBAU
12. RAVAI FATIAKI
13. ALBERT VULIVULI
14. VERENIKI GONEVA
15. KINI MURIMURIVALU

Reserves

16. TALEMAITOGA TUAPATI
17. SETEFANO SOMOCA
18. LEONE NAKARAWA
19. MASI MATADIGO
20. NEMIA KENATALE
21. NICKY LITTLE
22. ILIESA KERESONI

Five Changes made from last week. Deacon Manu, Bai, Nagusa, Waqaniburotu, Ravulo rested. Kalou, Rawaqa, Nalaga, Lovobalavu still injured. It will be interesting to see how Fiji do without a goal kicker like Bai or Little in the starting line up, esp since Tonga have Morath. Talei finally gets his first game back for Fiji after 2 or 3 years, he's a great player but i still think Waqaniburotu is Fiji's best blind side, but Talei is still really good. Michael Tagicakibau has just joined the team coming back from an injury.

on paper i don't think the fiji team is as strong as last week and tonga's looks stronger, but i believe fiji can still win, Fiji have a very big and powerful back row, i just hope they won't have line out or scrum problems. They could have some scrum problems since they have a new tighthead and are without Manu, plus Tonga have added Tongahuia to their front row

 

[neville]

well the tongan team looks pretty strong to me

Fijian Team named:
http://www.fijirugby.com/pages.cfm/fru-news/?section=2011&newsid=qera-captain-flying-fijians

1. CAMPESE MA'AFU
2. SUNIA KOTO
3. WAISEA DAVETA
4. RUPENI NASIGA
5. WAME LEWARAVU
6. NETANI TALEI
7. AKAPUSI QERA (C)
8. SISA KOYAMAIBOLE
9. VITORI BUATAVA
10. WAISEA LUVENIYALI
11. MICHAEL TAGICAKIBAU
12. RAVAI FATIAKI
13. ALBERT VULIVULI
14. VERENIKI GONEVA
15. KINI MURIMURIVALU

Reserves

16. TALEMAITOGA TUAPATI
17. SETEFANO SOMOCA
18. LEONE NAKARAWA
19. MASI MATADIGO
20. NEMIA KENATALE
21. NICKY LITTLE
22. ILIESA KERESONI

Five Changes made from last week. Deacon Manu, Bai, Nagusa, Waqaniburotu, Ravulo rested. Kalou, Rawaqa, Nalaga, Lovobalavu still injured. It will be interesting to see how Fiji do without a goal kicker like Bai or Little in the starting line up, esp since Tonga have Morath. Talei finally gets his first game back for Fiji after 2 or 3 years, he's a great player but i still think Waqaniburotu is Fiji's best blind side, but Talei is still really good. Michael Tagicakibau has just joined the team coming back from an injury.

on paper i don't think the fiji team is as strong as last week and tonga's looks stronger, but i believe fiji can still win, Fiji have a very big and powerful back row, i just hope they won't have line out or scrum problems. They could have some scrum problems since they have a new tighthead and are without Manu, plus Tonga have added Tongahuia to their front row

Anybody got the link to this game plz post it up.

 

[brynylon]

Tonga 23-10 after 53