RWC: Tonga - Canada (14-09-2011, 17:00)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Okara Park, Whangarei (14-09-2011, 17:00)

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan

​

[TABLE="class: grid"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD] Tonga [/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD] Canada [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Kurt Morath [/TD]
[TD] 15 [/TD]
[TD] James Pritchard[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Fetu'u Vanikolo [/TD]
[TD] 14 [/TD]
[TD] Ciaran Hearn[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Siale Piutau [/TD]
[TD] 13 [/TD]
[TD] DTH van der Merwe[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Alipate Fatafehi [/TD]
[TD] 12 [/TD]
[TD] Ryan Smith[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] William Helu [/TD]
[TD] 11 [/TD]
[TD] Phil Mackenzie [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Taniela Moa [/TD]
[TD] 10 [/TD]
[TD] Ander Monro[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Thomas Palu [/TD]
[TD] 9 [/TD]
[TD] Ed Fairhurst[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Samiu Vahafolau [/TD]
[TD] 8 [/TD]
[TD] Aaron Carpenter[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Sione Vaiomounga [/TD]
[TD] 7 [/TD]
[TD] Chauncey O'Toole[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Finau Maka (c) [/TD]
[TD] 6 [/TD]
[TD] Adam Kleeburger[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Tukulua Lokotui [/TD]
[TD] 5 [/TD]
[TD] Jamie Cudmore[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Sione Timani [/TD]
[TD] 4 [/TD]
[TD] Jebb Sinclair[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Kisi Pulu [/TD]
[TD] 3 [/TD]
[TD] Jason Marshall[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Ephraim Taukafa [/TD]
[TD] 2 [/TD]
[TD] Pat Riordan (C)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Alisona Taumalolo [/TD]
[TD] 1 [/TD]
[TD] Hubert Buydens[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Aloisio Ma'asi [/TD]
[TD] 16 [/TD]
[TD] Ryan Hamilton [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Soane Tonga'uiha [/TD]
[TD] 17 [/TD]
[TD] Scott Franklin [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Halani Aulika [/TD]
[TD] 18 [/TD]
[TD] Tyler Hotson[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Viliami Ma'afu [/TD]
[TD] 19 [/TD]
[TD] Nanyak Dala[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Sione Kalamafoni [/TD]
[TD] 20 [/TD]
[TD] Conor Trainor[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Viliame Iongi [/TD]
[TD] 21 [/TD]
[TD] Sean White[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Alaska Taufa [/TD]
[TD] 22 [/TD]
[TD] Nathan Hirayama[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

 

[CDN_Rugby]

Canada announces team: http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=3817&leagueID=0&page=55311

Looks like Crowley is going with the exact same side that lost to the Aussie Barbarians 38-14. The only disappointment is that Smith is being given the go at 12 instead of Evans.

Anyone know if Tonga has announced their squad?

Regardless, Canada by less than 7.

 

[TNT88]

What do you guys (Canada fans) reckon after watching Tonga last week? After watching Canada play Australia A, I am convinced they are a very good chance.

 

[CDN_Rugby]

After watching the Tonga v. New Zealand game, I'm convinced that Tonga could be the toughest Pacific Island side at the RWC. With that said, Canada isn't looking too bad either having beaten Russia, U.S. (twice), Italy A, and Queensland in the past few months (not to mention a strong France A side last summer). Hopefully the short turn around is a disadvantage to the Tongans, but it might be detrimental to Canada too as they might be suffering from nerves while it won't affect the already tested Tongans.

As a Canadian fan, it's the Tongan forwards that worry me, not their backs. If Canada can keep their damage to a minimum and maybe get them to commit a few fouls around the ruck (hey, that happens with Tongans) then I would be happy. With guys like Mackenzie, DTH, Monro, Fairhurst, and Pritchard in the backs, I feel Canada can put up some points if they are given good ball.

My prediction is 24-20 Canada. Who knows though, It wouldn't shock me if one team just failed to show up and got smoked by 15+

 

[Darwin]

I'm picking Tonga to win it, but I expect it will be a pretty close. It will be interesting to see what the Tongan lineup looks like - I'm expecting to see both Taumololo and Pulu start in the front row, with Piutau and Fatafehi starting in the centres (with Vainikolo on the wing). Should be good game.

 

[187]

Yeah I hope Taumalolo starts as well. His aggression is fantastic and when he's on fire, the forward pack should lift their game as well. Always remember that Hawkes Bay vs. Wgtn Lions game a few years back when he absolutely destroyed what was basically an All Blacks front row in Tialata & Schwalger.

I'm picking tonga will win 12 & under.

 

[ranger]

I'm picking Tonga to win it, but I expect it will be a pretty close. It will be interesting to see what the Tongan lineup looks like - I'm expecting to see both Taumololo and Pulu start in the front row, with Piutau and Fatafehi starting in the centres (with Vainikolo on the wing). Should be good game.

You would play Taumalolo over Tonga'uiha? But the word on the street is that Tonga'uiha is one of the best scrummagers and all around rugby players on the planet, better than Owen Franks and anyone else in New Zealand at least

 

[Darwin]

You would play Taumalolo over Tonga'uiha? But the word on the street is that Tonga'uiha is one of the best scrummagers and all around rugby players on the planet, better than Owen Franks and anyone else in New Zealand at least

I'd only play Taumalolo to protect the poor Canadian props - we wouldn't want Tonga'uiha to "destroy" them like he "destroyed" Owen Franks

 

[Darwin]

Tonga team named - 11 changes + 2 positional shifts.

Tonga: Kurt Morath, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Siale Piutau, Alipate Fatafehi, William Helu, Taniela Moa, Thomas Palu; Samiu Vahafolau, Sione Vaiomounga, Finau Maka (captain), Tukulua Lokotui, Sione Timani, Kisi Pulu, Ephraim Taukafa, Alisona Taumalolo. Reserves: Aloisio Ma'asi, Soane Tonga'uiha, Halani Aulika, Viliami Ma'afu, Sione Kalamafoni, Viliame Iongi, Alaska Taufa.

I'm surprised to see so many changes made.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Tonga Team to play Canada
1. Alisona Taumalolo
2. Ephraim Taukafa
3. Kisi Pulu
4. Sione Timani
5. Tukulua Lokotui
6. Finau maka (captain)
7. Sione Vaiomounga
8. Samiu Vahafolau
9. Tomasi Pulu
10. Taniela Moa
11. William Helu
12. Alipate Fatafehi
13. Siale Piutau
14. Fetu'u Vainikolo
15. Kurt Morath

Replacements
16. Ilaisa Ma'asi
17. Soane Tonga'uiha
18. Halani Aulika
19. Viliami Ma'afu
20. Sione Kalamafoni
21. Viliame Iongi
22. Alaska Taufa

Alot of shuffling from the lineup that played the all blacks (a record 11 changes). In the forwards good to see Alisona Taumalolo get his start (relagating Tonga'uiha to the bench) alongside Kisi Pulu. The loose trio looks questionable with Finau Maka (who was ineffective vs NZ) starting despite nursing an ankle injury, Sione Vaiomounga (who was a specialist hooker) starting at openside over Viliami Ma'afu and Sione Kalamafoni with Samiu Vahafolau at number 8. Backline changes also looks questionable having Taniela Moa at fly half, William Helu starting over Iongi on the wing (which I dont think is a good move at all) and Kurt Morath (a specialist fly half) at full back. This is a gamble for the Tongan coach to seemingly be experimenting with his starting lineup vs the Canadians which may backfire if they dont work.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Tonga team added to the topic start

 

[IKALETAHI]

Isitolo Maka might be underestimating Tonga while I think Tonga has the better players I dont know if Isitolo is playing the right combinations. Moa looked good at 5 8 against the All Blacks though. No doubt Isitolo is wanting to give players rest. He might play his top team against Japan and France.

 

[Alcox]

Shane Williams Hitler video PART 2 now available!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW22bfrYxqs

 

[Melhor Time]

Canada by over 7.

The Canadian backrow is going to be the difference - they are so mobile and all have terrific workloads. Curiously, the secondrowers alos both used to be backrowers. Canada are to be superior in general as Tonga will all be about size. The way to beat Canada is not through size but can Tonga play differently...

 

[ranger]

Canada by over 7.

The Canadian backrow is going to be the difference - they are so mobile and all have terrific workloads. Curiously, the secondrowers alos both used to be backrowers. Canada are to be superior in general as Tonga will all be about size. The way to beat Canada is not through size but can Tonga play differently...

I don't know, all about size is a bit of a simplistic way to look at it.
I do expect the Tongan gameplan to be based around dominating the scrum and the trench battle of the advantage line, but i would figure they have planned for more than that.
I'm thinking that Morath and Moa will swap between themselves quite a bit during the game; Moa is a much better playmaker and can spark an attack better than Morath, but if Tonga are behind their own 10m line, Morath would swap up to first reciever to clear the ball away.

It looks therefore that Tonga don't respect the Canadian running game. They will look for territory with the boot first and foremost, and back their defense to shut down any running attack the Canucks have. They will then wait for either:
i) A mistake, whereafter they can monster Canada with the scrum and set up an attacking platform
ii) A turn over (they would be lucky)
or iii) force Canada to kick possesion away, leaving Morath to nail them right back into the corner and repeat. or, to mix it up, Morath could jog it back and create an oppertunity for Vainikolo on the counter.
If Tonga manage to get possesion near the Canadian 22, the forward pack can guarantee go forward ball, and that Tongan backline with quality ball look to be too hot for the Canadians to handle for long

You're right in that Canada have far superior loosies, but instead of trying in vain to match them in the loose and mitigate their weakness, they have selected to boost their strengths. Effectively are saying "Fine, have possession, lets see what you can do with it".
Its risky, but Maka could come out looking like a genius if it comes off.

The winning of the game for Canada in my opinion is either at the lineout or in their running game.
If Canada are able to absolutely dominate Tonga in the lineout, winning all of their own and a large chunck of Tongas throws (which the Canucks are completely capable of doing) Then the Tongans won't be able to pin them down at all and the Canadians will feel safe in clearing to touch and staying composed.
Also, if Canada can move the ball around and break the line; prove that they are capable of breaking Tonga down with the running game, then the whole Tongan gameplan goes out the window and they are as good as done.

It looks a facinating matchup, and it's not one i would be comfortable putting money on.. I'm probably leaning towards Tonga by a whisker, partially due to the almost homeground advantage they can expect from the Kiwi crowd.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

I think Tonga will win, but they're not as clear favorites as the odds suggest IMO. I put my money on Canada by less than 7.

 

[M Two One]

This should be a good one.

 

[LittleGuy]

I can't wait, Canada looks strong except at #12, Tonga could be a little tired from the NZ game a few days ago as well.

 

[rusty_lock]

My anticipation level has pretty much reached a fever pitch. I'm not sure I'm going to be sleeping tonight and the day tomorrow is going to drag into eternity. The game starts at 10pm my time so I am going to be able to watch it live. My respect for Tonga definately notched up some after the NZ match and my head tells me that this could go either direction. It really depends on whether Canada can achieve parity at scrum time. Some have commented that the Tongans are going to get lots of front foot ball with the forwards punching it up the middle but I think that this thinking wrongly discounts the Canadian loose forwards ability to pinch some turnover ball. One thing Canada has proven in all their games from the Churchill Cup onward is that their defensive structure is vastly improved and that they can counter and score from deep. Like I said my head tells me 50-50 my heart says Canada by 7.

 

[Shaggy]

I'm picking Tonga to win it, but I expect it will be a pretty close. It will be interesting to see what the Tongan lineup looks like - I'm expecting to see both Taumololo and Pulu start in the front row, with Piutau and Fatafehi starting in the centres (with Vainikolo on the wing). Should be good game.

Well, my thoughts on the prospects of the game will be in my soon to be published Pool A blog #3 ... but I will back Canada to win based on the following scientific factors.

1/ I could get deported if I don't

2/ Divorce could be impending if I back Tonga, making my marriage an extremely short one

3/ You backed Tonga ...

... seriously though, this was always going to be one of the games of pool A, where the result could go either way ... good luck to both teams ... just more luck to Canada than Tonga!