2023 - Oceania Tri-Nations (Pacific Championship)

[Matua]

Rising Roosters star Siua Wong has opted to play for Tonga.

You were complaining about NZ yet the PIs are poaching already poached NZers off each other now. Wong looks like he wants to be the new Luai and try and play for everyone.

 

[Clarkent]

You were complaining about NZ yet the PIs are poaching already poached NZers off each other now. Wong looks like he wants to be the new Luai and try and play for everyone.

Lol name one current player the PI's poached? And the last time I checked Luai only played for one nation

 

[Matua]

Lol name one current player the PI's poached? And the last time I checked Luai only played for one nation

Any PI born and bred in NZ. Poaching bastards. Although it generally does give them a chance to visit the islands for the first time so that's a positive.

Also, why are you defending Luai, I thought everyone hated him? I also said play for everyone, not specifically nation (although if he could he probably would) - Junior Kiwis, NSW, Samoa, Maori All Stars ...

 

[Clarkent]

Any PI born and bred in NZ. Poaching bastards. Although it generally does give them a chance to visit the islands for the first time so that's a positive.

Also, why are you defending Luai, I thought everyone hated him? I also said play for everyone, not specifically nation (although if he could he probably would) - Junior Kiwis, NSW, Samoa, Maori All Stars ...

Aren't they still PI at the end of the day? last time I checked England poached Maurie Faasavalu? He had no connection at all to England. Kangaroos poached Semi Radradra after being in Australia for 2 mins . Luai isn't the only player to have that CV tho is he? Josh Papali'i is another player that comes to mind and why are you worried the Kiwis will be fine mate

 

[Matua]

Aren't they still PI at the end of the day? last time I checked England poached Maurie Faasavalu? He had no connection at all to England. Kangaroos poached Semi Radradra after being in Australia for 2 mins . Luai isn't the only player to have that CV tho is he? Josh Papali'i is another player that comes to mind and why are you worried the Kiwis will be fine mate

Oh yeah, they're still PI's (by heritage)

Yeah, Papali'i was another - they both mysteriously switched when Origin came a knocking.

Not sure the Kiwis will be fine, we have no hooker, we're uncertain if any of the 3 of the top 4 scoring wingers will be available for us, and we haven't even started with the club enforced injuries players yet.

Oz's master plan is working well.

 

[Clarkent]

Oh yeah, they're still PI's (by heritage)

Yeah, Papali'i was another - they both mysteriously switched when Origin came a knocking.

Not sure the Kiwis will be fine, we have no hooker, we're uncertain if any of the 3 of the top 4 scoring wingers will be available for us, and we haven't even started with the club enforced injuries players yet.

Oz's master plan is working well.

I won't be surprised if the Kiwis approach Levi. I would be gutted if he goes back but also understandable because he's a proud kiwi. The aussies are also trying to get Critchon but I doubt he'll play for them only because of the panthers boys in the samoan team. Good thing it's not the world cup year mate. They need to have mid season international games while the players are still fresh. But then again the aussies will also get worried the origin players might turn out for Samoa instead, tbh I doubt they would because the money's too good to turn down

 

[Matua]

I won't be surprised if the Kiwis approach Levi. I would be gutted if he goes back but also understandable because he's a proud kiwi. The aussies are also trying to get Critchon but I doubt he'll play for them only because of the panthers boys in the samoan team. Good thing it's not the world cup year mate. They need to have mid season international games while the players are still fresh. But then again the aussies will also get worried the origin players might turn out for Samoa instead, tbh I doubt they would because the money's too good to turn down

Didn't they have to declare ahead of time? Or is that only RWC years? What's happened to Clark, he was in the training squad last year IIRC. Is Sua'ali'i available for Samoa or does his rugby contract already start?

 

[Clarkent]

Didn't they have to declare ahead of time? Or is that only RWC years? What's happened to Clark, he was in the training squad last year IIRC. Is Sua'ali'i available for Samoa or does his rugby contract already start?

Clark is out for the season due to injuries. I heard the samoan coach interview on the podcast and they asked him if he asked Suaali'i if hes available and he said yes they have contacted him but didn't say if he is playing. I really hope he is. But if he doesn't I don't mind if they give Sua Faalogo a go. It would be huge for his confidence.

Suaali'i rugby contract doesn't start till 2025 so he's got one more year in the nrl

 

[Brian potter]

Kiwis can cover DWZ with the likes of warbrick, smith and timoko etc but as usual it’s the lack of depth in the key pivotal positions like halves, hooker and fullback.

nikorima and foran but after that I’m struggling.

 

[League Unlimited News]

Australian men's and women's squads announced for Pacfiic Championships » League Unlimited

leagueunlimited.com

Gallagher Kangaroos squad

Josh Addo-Carr (Bulldogs)
Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)
Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)
Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
Selwyn Cobbo* (Broncos)
Lindsay Collins (Roosters)
Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans)
Thomas Flegler* (Broncos)
Harry Grant (Storm)
Payne Haas* (Broncos)
Valentine Holmes (Cowboys)
Ben Hunt (Dragons)
Liam Martin (Panthers)
Cameron Munster (Storm)
Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs)
Kotoni Staggs* (Broncos)
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow* (Dolphins)
James Tedesco, capt. (Roosters)
Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)
Isaah Yeo (Panthers)

* denotes debutant.

 

[Clarkent]

When is the Samoan team named?

 

[Captain Apollo]

Whilst the squad has been announced and posted up thread, I am posting this as the article includes some reasons (with some attributable quotes) as to why certain players were left out (e.g. Latrell Mitchell) -

Panthers star Edwards added to Kangaroos squad after Addo-Carr banned over brawl

Panthers star Edwards added to Kangaroos squad after Addo-Carr banned over brawl

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[taste2taste]

When is the Samoan team named?

Interesting to see Crichton and Tuilagi not named for Oz.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Interesting to see Crichton and Tuilagi not named for Oz.

Considering Crichton played 6 matches for Samoa in 2022 he may have nominated to keep playing with them for this tournament.

 

[King-Gutho94]

Valentine Holmes getting picked is a disgrace. Mal deserves all the criticism he gets for picking him.

Putting on the Kangaroo jersey should be prestigious and a privilege. You throw the right away for that season if have an off-field indiscretion that means you are serving a suspension when teams are selected.

By all means he shouldn't be banned for life but seriously this year should have been straight up no not picking you.

Its devalued the Australian jersey for mine

 

[Clarkent]

Interesting to see Crichton and Tuilagi not named for Oz.

I'm pretty sure Critchon committed to Samoa it was all media putting fake stories. I wonder if Samoa will even pick Taulagi since he picked Australia first. Alot of options on the wings for samoa even without Taulagi

 

[perverse]

Picking the 4th (?) best Australian fullback is a bold choice.

 

[taste2taste]

I'm pretty sure Critchon committed to Samoa it was all media putting fake stories. I wonder if Samoa will even pick Taulagi since he picked Australia first. Alot of options on the wings for samoa even without Taulagi

Yes, I think you're right regarding Crichton.

It will be interesting to see if Samoa ever pick the Hammer again, he said a few weeks ago his dream was always the Kangaroos but Samoa will always be there if he misses out.

Do Samoa, or any team, want players wearing the jersey if it's only a back up option ?

They shouldn't pick Tualagi for the same reason, he chose Australia and missed selection, tough luck.

 

[Perth Red]

Thought the two tournaments where worthy of there own threads so Created one for the championship and one for the bowl

 

[no name]

Valentine Holmes getting picked is a disgrace. Mal deserves all the criticism he gets for picking him.

Putting on the Kangaroo jersey should be prestigious and a privilege. You throw the right away for that season if have an off-field indiscretion that means you are serving a suspension when teams are selected.

By all means he shouldn't be banned for life but seriously this year should have been straight up no not picking you.

Its devalued the Australian jersey for mine

Mal should have called his famous policy a no Andrew Fifita policy rather than a no dickhead policy.
Since they brushed Fifita for the CC medal and subsequent tour, Mal and the selectors have picked Josh McGuire, albeit a couple of years after the PNG incident, GI a week after going DUI over 1.5 times the limit and now Val couple of weeks after getting on the bags. I’m sure there’s more I’ve missed as well.
His hypocrisy and inconsistency gets put on show regularly but his buddies in the media never call him out.