RWC: New Zealand - Tonga (09-09-2011, 20:30)

[Black Heart]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moriori_people

It's commonly agreed that Moriori and Maori are of the same roots. Different migrations.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Tonga'uiha started the game with a few 2nd string players so cant judge him properly. I think Tonga'uiha wouldve had a better chance with Kisi Pulu, Taukafa, and Timani starting with him. People here seem abit harsh on Ben Franks. Woodcock went up against Filise who is Tongas 2nd or 3rd string TH Prop, while Franks went up against Pulu. What a BEAST Taumalolo proved to be, NZ got the "hit" a few times and Taumalolo still got them going.

Tongas best XV

15. Lilo, 14. Iongi, 13. Fatafehi, 12. Piutau, 11. Vainikolo, 10. Morath, 9. Moa, 8. Ma'afu, 7. Maka, 6. Vahafolau, 5. Tuineau, 4. Timani, 3. Pulu, 2. Taukafa, 1. Taumalolo.

I must say they desperatly miss Nili Latu causing havoc and support at the breakdown. Maka seems out of position at number 7 and it seems they dont have a conventional openside flanker that can disrupt and support the way he can. A real shame that he probably will not take part at the RWC as he is def a huge missing piece.

 

[psychic duck]

I must say they desperatly miss Nili Latu causing havoc and support at the breakdown. Maka seems out of position at number 7 and it seems they dont have a conventional openside flanker that can disrupt and support the way he can. A real shame that he probably will not take part at the RWC as he is def a huge missing piece.

Latu could be called up if Finau Maka's injury is serious

 

[Muzzy]

I must say they desperatly miss Nili Latu causing havoc and support at the breakdown. Maka seems out of position at number 7 and it seems they dont have a conventional openside flanker that can disrupt and support the way he can. A real shame that he probably will not take part at the RWC as he is def a huge missing piece.

i still highly rate Pepa Koloamaitagi, this guy is a damn beast and i rate him better than Nili Latu, in the PNC, this years and last years ITM cup he was always causing turnovers and havoc for the opposition, i remember in last years ITM Cup he was leading the stats in turnovers for most of the season, idk why tonga don't play him more.

 

[TRF C A Iversen]

If it was me (and speaking from an entirly un-artistic point of view) I would have created a display of the merging of all our significant cultures and then shown how rugby and the All Blacks have evolved in our society and how much both of these things mean to us.

I understand why Maori culture was a significant attribute because it is the one thing that is completly unique to New Zealand. I did enjoy the wero concept and I thought the kapa haka side was very powerful but the organisers didn't think much beyond that which was unfortunate.

I think we totally agree on this. I think Maori culture offers something truely unique and special about our place in the world. Just coulda done with a little more outside of that box. Glad no-one took that wrong.

Back on the rugby front, I think a lot of people have played down Tonga's improvement over the last few years. They have a fair few players playing in top comps around the world now and availability is a bit better than it's been. That's why they are going to play pretty well. The AB's scrum isn't exactly in huge trouble after the game to be honest.

 

[Bail]

It's really easy to understand why Tonga lost this one.

First try : Moa and Maka missed their tackle on Kahui, then Morath missed a tackle on Kahui, then Lilo missed a tackle on Dagg.
Second try : After beautiful Williams offload, Maka and Lutui missed their tackle on Toaeva, then Kalamafoni missed one of his rare tackle on Kahui.
Third try : Mailei missed on Toeava, geat offloads from Toeava and Williams.
Fourth try : Mailei missed a tackle on Dagg, offload from Dagg, then amazing missed tackle from Lilo on Kahui.
Fifth try : Only NZ try scored without Tongan tackling error !!
Sixth try : Lilo and Iongi missed their tackle on Slade.

12 missed tackles on their 18 were on tries !!!! No comment.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

i still highly rate Pepa Koloamaitagi, this guy is a damn beast and i rate him better than Nili Latu, in the PNC, this years and last years ITM cup he was always causing turnovers and havoc for the opposition, i remember in last years ITM Cup he was leading the stats in turnovers for most of the season, idk why tonga don't play him more.

Either one of these two wouldve been better at openside than Finau maka. The only other backup in the squad who can fill the void besides the players who took the field today is Sione Vaiomo'unga who is more proficient as a hooker than an openside Flanker. Pepa koloamatangi was in the squad up untill the PNC where he never played a game then disapeared from the team altogether. Possible falling out with management possibly or injury maybe I dont know. Maybe Bynylon could give us an explanation. but I agree, he was and is the next best in line since Nili Latu fell victim to politics within the TRFU.

 

[Bail]

There's a foward pass on the fifth try between Kahui and Kaino.

 

[hitman51]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moriori_people

Money Bill Millions had a **** game, and on a whole the only good player was Kaino. Mccaw was out played and Dan Carter looked average. Worrying signs for the first game. You guys need to remember that it's Tonga, not a fully professional team that trains 24/7 like the All Blacks. I thought these professionals were supposed to be the best in the world, instead they were made to look average by an amateur team with day jobs.

Did you watch the game dipshit? get of the sbw hate wagon ffs he had a great game tonight was involved in everything. What do you expect from him? smash everyone like hes superman. Do you even watch rugby? the whole tongan team are all professionals. Tonga will smash France.

 

[Sneaki]

I understand what people are saying about the opening ceremony, but I still thought it was really enjoyable. They might have been a bit obsessed with the light show thing but it looked pretty cool so that didn't really bother me. If I remember correctly the one in 07 was fairly dire.

 

[IKALETAHI]

I think Tonga was abit overwhelmed to start with. Later in the game when nerves seemed to be settled Tonga started to look alright. Key players like Morath will be better for it and with a stronger starting side available I think Tonga will give France a good game assuming Tonga defeat Japan and Canada.

 

[Bail]

Tonga sequence between 63rd and 72nd minutes is amazing. They overpowered NZ.

 

[gingergenius]

Lets ignore the two French trolls here.

Sonny Bill looked awesome at times, but none of the commentators noticed he completely botched two NZ attacks - the first he tried to dive through the Tongan defence, couldn't quite reach the line and got pinged for holding on. Second, he had a free run to the corner but stepped in and tried to smash his way through and got turned over. Something I really wouldn't expect from an All Black centre, which is why I'd pick him on the bench.

Here's a little idea for the All Blacks to play to their strengths:

9. Cowan
10. Carter
11. Kahui
12. Nonu
13. Smith
14. Jane
15. Muliaina

20. Weepu
21. Williams
22. Dagg

For me, this involves NZ's best backs players in the matchday squad. And you'll all be screaming that there's only one 10 there. Hear me out.

Let's face it, NZ are relying on Dan Carter playing the full 80 mins in all the knockout stages. I don't think any Kiwi's going to be feeling confident of Slade closing out a tight semi against South Africa, for example. But Weepu can cover 10, and so having him on the bench offers some kind of cover in the event of a Carter injury. And you then have two wonderful talents in SBW and Dagg to bring on and change the game, one to cover the midfield and the other to cover the back 3.

 

[nickdnz]

Did you watch the game dipshit? get of the sbw hate wagon ffs he had a great game tonight was involved in everything. What do you expect from him? smash everyone like hes superman. Do you even watch rugby? the whole tongan team are all professionals. Tonga will smash France.

Please refrain from personal attacks when opinions aren't the same as your own. It's a quick way to get a time-out.

 

[nix0000]

Let's face it, NZ are relying on Dan Carter playing the full 80 mins in all the knockout stages. I don't think any Kiwi's going to be feeling confident of Slade closing out a tight semi against South Africa, for example. But Weepu can cover 10, and so having him on the bench offers some kind of cover in the event of a Carter injury. And you then have two wonderful talents in SBW and Dagg to bring on and change the game, one to cover the midfield and the other to cover the back 3.

This is what i've been saying for months. In a big game, I think most Nz'ers would prefer a 65% Carter to a 100% Slade. Besides the way rugby is these days you could always sheppard a slightly injured Carter in the same way Aussie does to Cooper in defence and the same way the Boks did do Steyn in the Tri nations game where he sat back the whole game and just kicked it. Sonny Bill isn't taking up the bench, Slade is! All he is, is an insurance policy, and when Weepu and Dagg have the ability to play 10, there's no need wasting his spot on the bench. Either way, Sonny Bill has to be in this team, in some way/ shape or form.

 

[SavageLez]

Sonny Bill Williams = SUPERMAN. He made Kahui and Dagg look good by putting them into space to score. This man is a FREAK!

 

[SavageLez]

Did you watch the game dipshit? get of the sbw hate wagon ffs he had a great game tonight was involved in everything. What do you expect from him? smash everyone like hes superman. Do you even watch rugby? the whole tongan team are all professionals. Tonga will smash France.

Totally agree with you hitman51, SBW was a FREAK not only in the offloads but his strength in the tackle and quick ruck in the tackle. He is a SUPERHERO! I have not seen anything like this guy since Lomu's big bash entry into the RWC 1995.

He is unselfish and is the equivelant of Christiano Ronaldo of SOCCER, only difference is he does not seek the limelight by scoring but sets everyone around him up to score! He made the outside back look amazing... how freakin good were those offloads, the behind the back flip and the dummy pass come chip off the outside of his foot. This guy has SKILLS!

 

[Rhyer]

Uh sorry dude. The whole Tongan team that played today are all profesionals.

They don't get paid to play for Tonga though do they?

 

[TRF C A Iversen]

They don't get paid to play for Tonga though do they?

That's pretty weak as a counter argument. These guys aren't living off breadcrumbs. If France or any other side are only as good as how much they're paid during a World Cup when they are paid well during the rest of the time, that doesn't say much for their World Cup pride.

 

[Icemn]

well i didn't watch the game, but i predict the Ab will drop out round about the 1/4 or semi's....

cuz next week a diff team will play and that team will have to start from scratch again to build momentum...where other teams from this week will carry that momentum cuz they kept their players....

its sad cuz you can't really blame henry... he has too many good players to choose from in certain positions....

why at this stage is he still trying combinations etc?? its week 1 of WC 2011, shouldn't he know who his 1st team is by now???

next week half of the players will be dropped again - and once again that will be the beginning of the end for....

unless Henry sorts out his 1st 15 and play them every week.... get some momentum going!!! then you guys will see how the errors and poor scrummaging fades away!!!

i can then put my head on a block and say.... no one will beat the AB then!!!!