Samoa v Fiji

[East Coast Tiger]

Fiji squad


A few regulars missing. A couple of domestic players in though.

 

[paulmac]

Still couldn't convince John Sutton to play.Shame because until Fiji get their spine in order they wont be able to compete with the big boys.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

If Hayne plays they might be ok.

Sutton or not, they won't really compete with the big three anyway. Not beat them certainly.

 

[Panther_Daz]

I am assuming Waqa Blake was not considered due to injury. Campbell-Gillard is definitely injured.

 

[adamkungl]

So missing, at least

Vunivalu
Blake
RCG
Hayne
T Sims
A Sims
Uate
D Saifiti
J Saifiti

 

[Burns]

http://www.radionz.co.nz/internatio...ance-for-fiji-bati-to-test-world-cup-hopefuls

Potter says up to 13 players pulled out. Awful. Amazing that Uate and Saifiti bros aren't there.

 

[Panther_Daz]

Waqa Blake is now in the team.

 

[hutch]

Vunivalu rested after half a season in the nrl. FFS. It's a test match. What is wrong with thus sport? How can 13 players pull out?

 

[deluded pom?]

People complain about the lack of international games and then when one is organised players pull out left, right and centre. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Where is the pride in representing your country?

 

[myrrh ken]

maybe this answers my pacific island team dream!

 

[deal.with.it]

That's why I keep saying it is up to the NGB to select a squad of players committed to the jersey and keep developing said squad.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

People complain about the lack of international games and then when one is organised players pull out left, right and centre. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Where is the pride in representing your country?

That's be point, it's not their country.

It's their second choice, heritage country in most cases.

 

[Burns]

Wests Tigers have just announced that David Nofoluma will debut for Samoa against Fiji. He played in the PMXIII last year against PNG and featured in the City v Country match, for City in 2016.

 

[deluded pom?]

That's be point, it's not their country.

It's their second choice, heritage country in most cases.

If that's true then fair enough. For future games just don't consider the ones who genuinely aren't seriously interested and build around guys who are committed to the cause. I reckon the players who are pulling a fast one will be known to the coaches.

 

[deluded pom?]

Wests Tigers have just announced that David Nofoluma will debut for Samoa against Fiji. He played in the PMXIII last year against PNG and featured in the City v Country match, for City in 2016.

The rules change on Saturday and players can play for any country they are eligible for from one game to the next. Can a player nominate more than two nations? There has been the rare case where a player can rep for three nations. This will become more common with the residency rule incorporated with the new rules IMO.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

If that's true then fair enough. For future games just don't consider the ones who genuinely aren't seriously interested and build around guys who are committed to the cause. I reckon the players who are pulling a fast one will be known to the coaches.

Except they're first choice players. The reality is, teams will pick the best players available. If some players only make themselves available when they feel like it, they will get away with it if they're good enough. Come WC time the half hearted heritage players will probably put their hand up, after they miss out on selection for their real country, and they'll be picked.

All of this is another symptom of a sport that is light on international development, competition and interest and relies on ring-ins to field more than five teams at (a reasonable standard) international level.

 

[deluded pom?]

Except they're first choice players. The reality is, teams will pick the best players available. If some players only make themselves available when they feel like it, they will get away with it if they're good enough. Come WC time the half hearted heritage players will probably put their hand up, after they miss out on selection for their real country, and they'll be picked.

All of this is another symptom of a sport that is light on international development, competition and interest and relies on ring-ins to field more than five teams at (a reasonable standard) international level.

Totally agree.

 

[deal.with.it]

I guess we will have to put up with being discredited by other sports for at least the next 2 WC cycles until we have more money to develop the likes of Serbia, Ukraine, Spain, USA, Canada, Jamaica etc... The 2nd tier nations that have strong domestic development.

 

[supaman]

Junior Paulo looks like he turned down the kangaroos for Samoa... So that's a big bonus for samoa

 

[Burns]

Samoa says squad will be named following Island Time on their Twitter ... so probably on Monday