All Golds Named

[mean_maori_mean]

Bit rough there - Blair has hardly played all season and is a prop, Tuimavave is also a prop and hes been in better form than Harrison

Sure he tailed off some towards the end of the season (like a lot of the Warriors) but he had his best season by far and can provide some Solomona like impact off the bench at International level

He has his best season by far - b'coz has been crap all the other seasons.
which is why in seasons gone he has only played a handful of games.

He has some potential - but has glaring issues in his game and isnt worthy of a test jersey. Mannering threw the ugliest dumbest pass against parra in the finals - lauaki does that stuff on the regular.

So Tuimavave and blair are props - tuimavave is more enterpising and blair hit holes right across the park and both have a higher work rate and less handling errors.

sure lauaki can shrug a few people off - but then he ll knock the ball and then goes missing and then he'll get subbed off.

If you watch tigers next year u''l see Teo after a big offseason - big unit hitting hole out wide - SBW on steroids or more taro and hopefully sheens puts harrison back from prop back to backrow - he'll be kiwis version of gallen and watmough.

 

[Nook]

As I Tigers fan I can't believe that T'eo didn't get a look in for the tour - he was outstanding this year. Halatau has been really poor, don't see how his selection can be justified.

 

[mean_maori_mean]

As I Tigers fan I can't believe that T'eo didn't get a look in for the tour - he was outstanding this year. Halatau has been really poor, don't see how his selection can be justified.

He was in the train-on squad. but think it will be beneficial for him to stay back and have a big offseason - think hes had injuries in the past preventing that. Kemble has come to say that he likes the look of ben teo.


He had some big runs/ hits but doesnt have the fitness/experience to carry that and play some decent minutes and have a big workload - but then again neither does lauaki.

Halatau - kiwis like him - sheens doesnt know where to use him or how to get the best of him. If kiwis get a roll on he''ll carve. only small but hes a pocket rocket.

 

[mean]

This is a festival game am i right. Becos the selections are festival. Did Bennett pick the side or is he just the coach

I'm embarassed. A team of has beens with the exception of a FEW. We have a tri nations series and a world cup coming up and they select Meli, Toopi, Guttenbeil, & Lautiti. I realise the reward for Jones, Wiki and Vagana is well deserved, but please.:crazy:

 

[mean_maori_mean]

I'm embarassed. A team of has beens with the exception of a FEW. We have a tri nations series and a world cup coming up and they select Meli, Toopi, Guttenbeil, & Lautiti. I realise the reward for Jones, Wiki and Vagana is well deserved, but please.:crazy:

Its gona be funny seeing Franci Smeli in a kiwi jersey again - he is hardcase to watch and does some fresh moves like dummy to nobody.lol.

also unlike most of u's im a fan of Toopi - he plays like Matai pushes the limits (including the law). I reckon he'll carve up.

Meli, Guttenbeil, Lautiti are hardly legends - well maybe as warriors but not kiwis.

not quite embarrasing but i still feel the same - mclennan was going to use this as a development tour.
Who have the kiwis blooded that are realistically going to make the team next year - Covell - well he aint going to get any better than he is now

Even Chase Stanley wont be ready by next year - especially if drags move him to backrow.

Would of loved to see more of the exciting players like chase

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

also unlike most of u's im a fan of Toopi - he plays like Matai pushes the limits (including the law). I reckon he'll carve up.

The only thing Toopi pushes is the limits of mental geniusation and ineptitude on a rugby league field. I'm putting this one down to pro-Maori bias.

I was the biggest Meli and Lauiti'iti fan at the Warriors but even I can see that they suck these days. I think the All Golds are gonna get thrashed.

 

[mean_maori_mean]

The only thing Toopi pushes is the limits of mental geniusation and ineptitude on a rugby league field. I'm putting this one down to pro-Maori bias.

I was the biggest Meli and Lauiti'iti fan at the Warriors but even I can see that they suck these days. I think the All Golds are gonna get thrashed.

o.k pro maori-basis - so why is it im not a fan of Jeremy smith considering he is from down the line is aswell.
But on the basis - they he attacks the line, plays aggressive and actually comes up with some line breaks - hopefully whatuira or mannering come up with some becoz they havent this year.
im not saying he should be in the kiwi team but am just interested to see how he goes - he alot of passion for the black jersey.

they might 'suck' these days - they still carve in england

 

[Revelation 3:20]

The only thing Toopi pushes is the limits of mental geniusation and ineptitude on a rugby league field. I'm putting this one down to pro-Maori bias.

I was the biggest Meli and Lauiti'iti fan at the Warriors but even I can see that they suck these days. I think the All Golds are gonna get thrashed.

Turn it up bro, sure toopi's last two season wernt great with the warriors, but he's alway given heaps for the kiwi jersy

 

[Jesbass]

Turn it up bro, sure toopi's last two season wernt great with the warriors, but he's alway given heaps for the kiwi jersy

Agreed. He's the only player to score a hattrick against Australia, and he's done it twice.

 

[Mixmasterreece]

team lacks richie swain at hooker. Not a lot of cover in that area and would of been a great addition.

 

[MKEB...]

I thought Howie was going to be the surprise pick for the hooking role.

 

[Revelation 3:20]

team lacks richie swain at hooker. Not a lot of cover in that area and would of been a great addition.

I dont think they need to worry about that, they have a pretty good team

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

they might 'suck' these days - they still carve in england

No they don't

Meli goes okish
Toopi stinks, Leeds fans ridicule him
Ali was good in '04 and '05 but is a sad sight these days, bench specialist only, a shadow of his former self

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Turn it up bro, sure toopi's last two season wernt great with the warriors, but he's alway given heaps for the kiwi jersy

bullsh*t

Lightning struck twice for Toopi in terms of being in the right place at the right time in a couple of tests to finish off movements. He also had his fair share of rank stinkers in the Kiwi jersey.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Please, please, please, Never compare Toopi to Matai again, Steve deserves better than that

Am with Manu on the Toopi issue, still have this vision of us getting a spanking a couple of years back in Australia, they make a break, and Toopi puts zero effort into the chase.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

iirc Anzac Test 2004 and 2005 (I think?) he was close to worst on ground

Hats off for the hat-tricks, but that's more a historical quirk than any sort of reflection on his performances. In much the same vein, as much as I was always a big fan of Meli, I'll be the first to admit the 5 tries v Dogs was just a fluke.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Anyone watch the ESL semi the other day between Leeds and Wigan.

FMD how heavy are Paleasiina and Ali these days

 

[mean]

This is what should've happened... an emerging All Golds team with experience and legendary input from Stacey, Wiki and Vagana who play a team of expats currently earning their pension in the super league as a curtain raiser leading up to the All Golds game.

Now I'm sure they could pick a decent team from the following.

Guttenbeil
Toopi
Talau
Vagana
Paleasina
Meli
Cayless
Fasavalu
Leuleuai
Lautiti
Vainikolo
Solomona
Swain
Tony
Maiava
Lolesi
Paul
Vaialeki
Faafili
Anderson
Latu
Te Mata
Chan
Smith

 

[mean]

Anyone watch the ESL semi the other day between Leeds and Wigan.

FMD how heavy are Paleasiina and Ali these days

"Who ate all the pies, who ate all the pies....

 

[Nook]

Halatau - kiwis like him - sheens doesnt know where to use him or how to get the best of him. If kiwis get a roll on he''ll carve. only small but hes a pocket rocket.

Disagree there - I think Sheens does know how to get the best out of him, but it doesn't happen as often as it should.

I'm a big fan of his but Halatau really was quite poor this year for a guy who should have been stepping up to the plate. Looked disinterested at stages - I'm sure he wasn't but he just hasn't been playing with his usual intensity, I wouldn't be surprised if there was something away from the game getting at him (purely speculation though). Hope he goes okay for the Kiwis, he'll certainly give it his all.