Kiwis 2025

[Blair]

Exactly. He's not even a contracted league player right now, and he'll be in R360 next year. Willison is 23, promote the guy

I'm actually pretty fired up to watch this, and especially the Tonga game. Geez there's some talent on show.

I haven't clocked off for the season yet, either. With me I think it's the highly unsatisfactory end to the NRL that has me needing more.

Also, 2017 made Tonga very unlikeable, whereas, in the past, I'd feel mean having a go at a small Pacific nation. Not now though.

There's also a month or so before the cricket Ashes starts! So something has to fill the void.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

8 out of 17 Kiwis with Samoan heritage lol... that's nuts.

Interesting isn't it. 8 Kiwis with Samoan heritage who are ineligible for Origin and they pick the Kiwis. I count 7 State of Origin eligible and Kiwis-eligible players in the Samoa team. Almost like Origin eligibility influences players to not play for NZ.

(In fairness RTS, Mariner, Jazz, CHT and Sasagi are all Kiwis who are unable to play Origin but still picked Samoa, but still, it's hardly one way traffic)

 

[Matua]

Interesting isn't it. 8 Kiwis with Samoan heritage who are ineligible for Origin and they pick the Kiwis. I count 7 State of Origin eligible and Kiwis-eligible players in the Samoa team. Almost like Origin eligibility influences players to not play for NZ.

(In fairness RTS, Mariner, Jazz, CHT and Sasagi are all Kiwis who are unable to play Origin but still picked Samoa, but still, it's hardly one way traffic)

Our Samoan's have always stayed loyal. Most of the ones who picked Samoa are the ones who are on the fringes anyway. RTS might still be with the Kiwis if he didn't go to rugby and have that break in his career. Mariner is the only real defector who should have his passport revoked like the Tongans .

I haven't clocked off for the season yet, either. With me I think it's the highly unsatisfactory end to the NRL that has me needing more.

Also, 2017 made Tonga very unlikeable, whereas, in the past, I'd feel mean having a go at a small Pacific nation. Not now though.

I haven't clocked off, the end to the Warriors season was as expected, this is what I'm excited for, I just want the Kiwis to win these matches so I can go to the final. Although, if we don't make the final I might still go and support Samoa because I too find the Tongans very unlikeable.

On the team named, fairly predictable, although I thought Clark would start, and for some reason I got it into my head that Kini would too, I don't know why.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Our Samoan's have always stayed loyal. Most of the ones who picked Samoa are the ones who are on the fringes anyway. RTS might still be with the Kiwis if he didn't go to rugby and have that break in his career. Mariner is the only real defector who should have his passport revoked like the Tongans .

RTS has done his bit for the Kiwis so that's ok, and Jazz would never be picked. We are light on halves so I would've thought CHT was in the mix - a bit surprising he is so committed to Samoa when he's an NZ born and raised Maori. Perhaps it's the loyalty to Samoa he's developed through playing for them when he wasn't in the picture for the Kiwis.

We are stacked with forwards but Sasagi was impressive this year so he wouldn't be far off either.

 

[Matua]

RTS has done his bit for the Kiwis so that's ok, and Jazz would never be picked. We are light on halves so I would've thought CHT was in the mix - a bit surprising he is so committed to Samoa when he's an NZ born and raised Maori. Perhaps it's the loyalty to Samoa he's developed through playing for them when he wasn't in the picture for the Kiwis.

We are stacked with forwards but Sasagi was impressive this year so he wouldn't be far off either.

Yeah, I think CHT hitched his wagon to Samoa when he wasn't a realistic chance for the Kiwis (TBH,, I'd still go with our two starters anyway). Maybe Sasagi was overlooked for NZ? Or do the players have to declare who they want to play for before the teams are named now?

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

RTS has done his bit for the Kiwis so that's ok, and Jazz would never be picked. We are light on halves so I would've thought CHT was in the mix - a bit surprising he is so committed to Samoa when he's an NZ born and raised Maori. Perhaps it's the loyalty to Samoa he's developed through playing for them when he wasn't in the picture for the Kiwis.

We are stacked with forwards but Sasagi was impressive this year so he wouldn't be far off either.

I think CHT's connection to Samoa is pretty strong regardless. He lived there for a while working on the family plantation during his 'sabbatical'. Dude has a better appreciation of Samoan life than 99% of the guys he's suiting up with.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

On the Origin thing - it absolutely plays a part doesnt it.

I mean we all know what Ronnie's initial ambitions were. And from memory, Leota was also keen for NSW early on, until he it was discovered he too had just missed the age cut off.

So while its not the same as guys opting for Samoa instead of the Kiwis to keep Origin ambitions alive, it does highlight what the overall pecking order is for many players.

The potential change to Origin eligibility would obviously benefit the Kiwis, but it'll be very interesting to see how that impacts Samoa and Tonga as well. We may see some true(r) colours emerge.

 

[Izz]

It benefits Australia for NZ to be a similar playing strength to Tonga, Samoa, but as Australia would be brought back to the pack if Origin players were allowed to play for us, I really can't see them changing Origin eligibility unless the IRL changes its tier system

 

[Matua]

On the Origin thing - it absolutely plays a part doesnt it.

I mean we all know what Ronnie's initial ambitions were. And from memory, Leota was also keen for NSW early on, until he it was discovered he too had just missed the age cut off.

So while its not the same as guys opting for Samoa instead of the Kiwis to keep Origin ambitions alive, it does highlight what the overall pecking order is for many players.

The potential change to Origin eligibility would obviously benefit the Kiwis, but it'll be very interesting to see how that impacts Samoa and Tonga as well. We may see some true(r) colours emerge.

I can understand why players want to play Origin if they're available, because as much as I hate it, and think test league should be the pinnacle, Origin is the biggest show in town.

But I think Leota and Mulitalo are pointers that it's not cut and dried that players prefer the PI teams, as there was nothing to stop both staying with Samoa.

Also, let's not forget we even have two Tongan heritage players in our team.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

But I think Leota and Mulitalo are pointers that it's not cut and dried that players prefer the PI teams, as there was nothing to stop both staying with Samoa.

Also, let's not forget we even have two Tongan heritage players in our team.

Nah not at all, it’s never been that simple.

NAS has been steadfast in his commitment to the Kiwis despite Samoa regularly checking if he wanted to switch, while Whyte has openly said he wants to one day represent his Tongan and Samoan heritage as well.

And it wouldn’t surprise if there’s a Samoan player somewhere who would rather be wearing black but only wearing blue so he can also play Origin.

It’s absolutely an individual thing.

 

[Matua]

Nah not at all, it’s never been that simple.

NAS has been steadfast in his commitment to the Kiwis despite Samoa regularly checking if he wanted to switch, while Whyte has openly said he wants to one day represent his Tongan and Samoan heritage as well.

And it wouldn’t surprise if there’s a Samoan player somewhere who would rather be wearing black but only wearing blue so he can also play Origin.

It’s absolutely an individual thing.

Yeah, I think Isaako even represented both teams one year, so that his Dad who was dying could see him play for Samoa.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Wow, what a great test match!

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Yea man great game, especially as a first up run for both teams. So pleased Samoa didn’t capitulate like they did last time.

When Mariner dropped ghat pass I turned to my son and said shit that could Samoa’s Tui moment. Sure enough Brown scores at the other end.

They’re going to be light on troops next week though. Assuming the 11 day HIA standown applies Jazz and Mariota won’t be available, no guarantee Terrell May will be either, and dunno how Su’a shaped up as well.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Tapine were massive for the Kiwis though. He had the crazy eyes going right from the haka. Monster game.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Congrats Stacey, plenty of resilience in that side tonight. I won’t cop any “it was only Samoa” because on paper that was a 50/50 game

16 guys earned their post match beer tonight, 1 can have a saucer of milk

 

[Meth]

Brown man of the match. Tapine, Whyte and McClean also good for us. Papali'i pretty handy as well. Marshall King was playing well until he came off.

For Samoa, Haas was huge.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Boys showed a lot of heart and exceptional fitness in that game
I saw Kearney in the box, what capacity is he in for the series?

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Boys showed a lot of heart and exceptional fitness in that game
I saw Kearney in the box, what capacity is he in for the series?

He was in there last year as well, can’t remember the official role but a mentor type deal I think. Went to a Breakers game and had Kearney, Halligan, Steve Price (coach version), Motu Tony and a couple of others sitting beside me

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Foran led the team around well, but towards the end of the game the choice to bomb to To'o didn’t seem the right choice, (escorted off the ball a couple of times with no penalty) when McLean had been on fire the other side. Even setting for the 1 point.

 

[Matua]

Foran led the team around well, but towards the end of the game the choice to bomb to To'o didn’t seem the right choice, (escorted off the ball a couple of times with no penalty) when McLean had been on fire the other side. Even setting for the 1 point.

I have to admit, I was really disappointed with Foran's kicking game, most of his kicks were lacklustre, not enough height or too much distance. He didn't seem to be playing his natural kicking game. But thought the rest of his game was fine. I agree on not setting for the 1.

He was in there last year as well, can’t remember the official role but a mentor type deal I think. Went to a Breakers game and had Kearney, Halligan, Steve Price (coach version), Motu Tony and a couple of others sitting beside me

Hopefully his mentoring is just repeating what Bennett said to him when Bennett was the mentor.