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Fiji vs Tonga RWC warm up

Can someone please enlighten me on this Maka & Latu issue???

Anyway, Tonga won the game beating Fiji in it's own style....from broken plays & free-flowing rugby. Especially the elusive Vainikolo....hate him all u want but with him & Iongi, Tonga have 2 accomplished broken field runners.
Fatafehi was strong in the midfield with some midfield bursts. Lilo is a fullback. That's where he's more dangerous.
As for the forwards, Tonga'uiha & Finau definitely needed that hit-out as they look sluggish for most of the match. Locks is definitely well-covered with Timani & Tuineau looking strong.
Against the ABs, Tongan forwards need to do what the Boks did and outmuscle them outfront. After the Fiji game, this would be my choice for the forwards;

4. Timani, 5. Tuineau, 6. Vahafolau, 7. Maka, 8. Ma'afu
 
Chairman of the Tongan Rugby Union Board Bob Tuckey resigned today just as brynlyon said he would...doesnt look good for the Tongan team. Doesnt look like they will be going to the Rugby World Cup as a unit.
 
The chief executive and chair of the Tonga Rugby Union Board, Australian Bob Tuckey, has resigned and left the country.

The acting prime minister, Samiu Vaipulu, has told parliament the sudden departure came after a disagreement with the head coach of the 'Ikale Tahi, 'Isitolo Maka.

Reports from Tonga say he was unhappy with one of the players chosen by Mr Maka for the World Cup squad.

Mr Vaipulu says he's grateful Mr. Tuckey left over this issue and not after a parliamentary committee call for a new chair to be appointed.

Late last week the 'Ikale Tahi team called on the Legislative Assembly not to remove Mr Tuckey, saying he'd done great work for the team.

Mr Vaipulu says Mr Tuckey left Tonga on Saturday.

http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=62560
 
AfakasiAssasin said:
Must be Nili Latu.
Click to expand...

Now all you forum readers know about the factionalism that is going on in Tongan rugby.The many divisions between those who wish for POWER will put off the many good Tongan players who could play for Tonga but will not unless they have nothing else on offer.
Bob Tuckey has done a lot under the auspices of the IRB to arrange and finance overseas matches.Remember Tuckey was once the Chairman of Australian rugby union and an IRB vice-president.Every European who has gone there to assist has been "shafted".There are many more who will not touch Tonga with a barge pole after the real facts come out!
Many months ago I said the IRB will "bail out" of supporting Tonga financially after the World Cup..Talk about killing the goose that laid the golden egg!Tonga has no money and no future in world rugby-now you know why agents tell their players never to play for Tonga.
 
Im just wondering if the story of Maka picking a player is the real reason Mr Tuckey left or just a cover story. This is sad Mr Tuckey has done a great Job for Tongan rugby. I wonder if power/money hungry board members wanted him out.

Cases like this happen in Tonga all the time most recently The Chief of police Mr Kelly was driven out, but thats another story. Doesnt seem anything professional can happen in Tonga.
 
Agree Tongas future at the International Level doesnt look too bright. Tonga hasnt had a Home game since 2008 or so. They were not able to account for the money the IRB funded them. This is why they will never be as consistent as Samoa or Fiji.

Samoa and Fiji both have built towards better more professional futures with regular fixtures against tier 1 Nations. I was just reading the IRB recently funded a high performance facility for Samoa. Puma is a official sponsor for Samoa's rugby team. These are things that will never happen for Tonga if some serious changes arent made from within.
 
IKALETAHI said:
Im just wondering if the story of Maka picking a player is the real reason Mr Tuckey left or just a cover story. This is sad Mr Tuckey has done a great Job for Tongan rugby. I wonder if power/money hungry board members wanted him out.

Cases like this happen in Tonga all the time most recently The Chief of police Mr Kelly was driven out, but thats another story. Doesnt seem anything professional can happen in Tonga.
Click to expand...

You got it-its only part of the real story.This is another Kelley situation.
 
what has been done with the 2 million dollar IRB grant that was handed to Tonga a few years back? Another case of mismanaged money?? Samoa High performance center that was built from the grant that they recieved frmo the IRB has just been completed today.
 
Last edited:
So it is Nili Latu. I thought so as it does make sense after brynylon posted here to look out for his name and that on he has indeed left for Tonga a few days ago. As a big fan of island rugby, I am pleased to see him return to the international scene although a bit of a shame (if it is indeed) at the expense of Bob Tuckey. I agree with you though Psychic duck that the majority of the Tongan supporters will be pleased to see his return for Tonga. If you look at his facebook account, his wall it is overloaded with support and people congratulating him upon hearing the news of his departure to Tonga and the likelihood of him rejoining the team.
 
I am a MASSIVE supporter of Nili Latu's and I believe He is Tongas best option at 7, but it doesnt add up. I dont recall Bob Tuckey being the one who banned Nili Latu. Whatever is going on The coaches and players need to gel before the World Cup.
 
Team announced today.I understand Leaatoa the prop is out and Pulu in.
 
brynylon said:
Nili Latu NOT selected.Maka wanted him but the Boars said NO!
Click to expand...
If that is the case that's ridiculous ! Bob Tuckey resigns over the selection, Nili Latu flew out to Tonga and now he isn't to be selected?? If it's true, which I hope it isn't, the whole thing is just stupid.
 
Here's another report and another version of why Bob Tuckey resigned from his position. This claims there is indeed a power struggle with the members of parliament asking him to step down as he is overpaid and received year round hotel accommodation. Sure he may have been paid well, but it was the IRB not the Tongan Rugby union who were paying him and from other accounts he was doing a pretty good job. It also makes mention of the question I asked before about the lost funds ($5 million) the IRB handed to tonga that is Still unaccounted for. Seems like a lot of politics over power and greed over money just as brynylon been saying all along. http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup/5491181/Tongan-rugby-turmoil-as-boss-quits
 
No surprises here Mr Saulala ...its hard to support this side with these Board members ruining everything. I would not be surprised if Tonga didnt win a game this World Cup.
 
IKALETAHI said:
No surprises here Mr Saulala ...its hard to support this side with these Board members ruining everything. I would not be surprised if Tonga didnt win a game this World Cup.
Click to expand...

Nili Latu was asked by Maka to go to Fiji for those 2 tests.He didnt.So the Board said it wasnt fair to others.REALLY!Since when has fairness been part of it?The prop Filise has never played for Tonga in PN Cup or Fiji,in fact not for a long time.Now hes in.How does that go with the Boards rule of fairness.You would think hes in the same category as Latu wouldnt you?
 
And doesnt this finally make Isotolo Maka look a real ********.Team confidence in him must be real low!
 

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