[November Tests 2016 EOYT] Spain vs. Tonga (12/11/2016)

[TRF_heineken]

Venue: Ci? Universitaria
Time: 17:00 CAT (SA, GMT+2)​

 

[Osezno]

We can only hope for a small losing margin. Unfortunately we won't field a full stength team, which seems reserved for key RWC qualifying matches, but it will still be a decent squad and I'm eager to see what some new additions and youngsters are capable of. Pending on injuries from last club games, these are our 23 players for the game:

Beñat Auzqui (UBB, Top 14)
Sébastien Rouet (Narbonne, Pro D2)
Marco Pinto Ferrer (Béziers, Pro D2)
Fabien Perrin (Bourgoin, Pro D2)
Pierre Barthere (Montauban, Pro D2)
Gautier Gibouin (Montauban, Pro D2)
Sébastien Ascarat (Montauban, Pro D2)
Jonathan Garcia (Vannes, Pro D2)
David Barrera-Howarth (Vannes, Pro D2)
Mathieu Bélie (USAP, Pro D2)
Jordi Jorba (USAP, Espoirs)
Thibaut Alvarez (Aubenas, Féd 1)
Grégory Maïquez (Bourg-en-Bresse, Féd 1)
David Gonzalez (Nevers, Féd 1)
Jaime Nava (Dijon, Féd 1)
Jesús Moreno (Provence, Féd 1)
Ignacio Contardi (Niort, Féd 2)
Juan Anaya (Alcobendas, DH)
Brad Linklater (Alcobendas, DH)
Alvar Gimeno (Cisneros, DH)
Víctor Sánchez (El Salvador, DH)
Kalokalo Gavidi (VRAC, DH)
Fernando López (Ordizia, DH)

Gavidi (through residency) and Perrin (through ancestry) are new additions, the latter being key as centres have been a big headache in our national team, while 18-year-old Gimeno will earn his first cap after missing Nations Cup due to injury. He was our star #10 in last U20 World Rugby Trophy in spite of his youth. Winger Jordi Jorba also played that tournament, while according to local journalists Iñaki Mateu will participate in training sessions although he seems focused on making himself a place among Argentina's Pumitas (his family is from there but he is playing for Alcobendas in Spain).

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Any reason why Spain wouldn't field their strongest possible side for this? Are ProD2 sides reluctant to release players? Along with Georgia and Romania in the ENC I'm guessing Tonga is about as strong and high ranking a side as Spain has faced (unless I'm mistaken) so I'd have loved them to try maximise their chances of a result (and the ranking points available would be great).

 

[Osezno]

Exactly. A full strength team would probably include Guillaume Rouet (Bayonne, Top 14), Charlie Malié (Pau, Top 14), maybe Xerom Civil (UBB, Top 14 but hasn't played a lot this season)... That's the case of French-born players. Then there are some 7s players that are still readapting theirselves to XV (Iñaki Villanueva, Marcos Poggi), and may be ready for next Rugby Europe Championship and we've got some others playing in Fédérale 1 but whose main focus is on studying or working, so they have to carefully pick which weeks can they sacrify for their country.

It is probably the case of Pablo Fontes, who went to Rio Olympics and is playing well in Castanet but moved to France to study and we can't ask him to play Autumn test matches, REC games and then go to Hong Kong for 7s... Finally there are some X files like Asier Usárraga (Biarritz, Pro D2): I have no idea why he isn't coming. But I understand there will be changes between this squad and the one to play against Uruguay the following weekend.

Anyway, it isn't our biggest test match ever. In "recent" times we were fortunate enough to face Japan in 2013, Australia in 2001 or Barbarians in 2007.

 

[Tautahi]

Ikale Tahi Squad vs Spain

1) Tevita Mailau
2) Paula Ngauamo
3) Siua Halanukonuka
4) Steve Mafi
5) Joe Tuineau
6) Dan Faleafa
7) Jack Ram
8) Tevita Koloamatangi
9) Sonatane Takulua
10) Kali Hala
11) Fetu'u Vainikolo
12) Latiume Fosita
13) Siale Piutau (c)
14) Nafi Tuitavake
15) David Halaifonua
16) Elvis Taione
17) Sione Lea
18) Paea Fa'anunu
19) Valentino Mapapalangi
20) Kotoni Ale
21) Thomas Palu
22) Tevita Taufui
23) Fetuli Paea

Not the strongest squad we've taken to Europe, but this squad has more potential then the team that lost all four matches in PNC (inc. match against Georgia). But judging by the players available on this tour squad this is our strongest starting lineup. Tonga is not underestimating Spain in this encounter they're looking to build some momentum an see if any selections need to be tweaked.This squad is relatively young a few debutantes so it would be good match.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

That was an entertaining game and good to see Spain able to compete infront of a pretty full stadium. Spain almost played more loose and open than Tonga, which I wasn't expecting. It looked like a 7s match at times (in a good way). Was there any particular leagues that these Tongan players came from or was it really just from all over the world?

The Tonga games vs US & Italy should both be competitive (as will Spain vs Uruguay).

 

[Osezno]

Yeah, an encouraging performance from Spain but another defeat and we're going for a record 2016 in terms of defeats... And to be honest, Tonga wasn't particulary brilliant today. We could and should have ended even closer. 28-13 was the final result.

 

[Tautahi]

Todays match was not the greatest match played from Tonga.In fact Spain played a more better game at times.It was the first outing since being together and it showed that their was no continuity in phases.Spain keep in it from the start and showed us our weakness and key areas to address.

 

[Osezno]

In case somebody has too much spare time and wants to watch it: