Mid year tests in 2022

[Clarkent]

I don't think NZ can justifiably pick SJ in the halves at this stage, especially with the form of Hughes and D Brown. Te Maire Martin has also been great so far at FB and would allow Manu to play in the centres.

1. Martin
6. Brown
7. Hughes
9. Smith

I thinks that's the Kiwis best spine at this stage, other than FB thats close to the best international spine rn

Martin shouldn't be a fb for the kiwis... I'd pick Manu or Rapana

 

[Perth Red]

Did the Tongan mess get sorted out or are they still not an official international team?

 

[Foreign Legion]

NRL mid-season internationals could be scrapped after 2022

This year's mid-season international test matches in the NRL are likely to be the last, according to Tonga coach Kristian Woolf.

www.loverugbyleague.com

 

[Coastbloke]

NRL mid-season internationals could be scrapped after 2022

This year's mid-season international test matches in the NRL are likely to be the last, according to Tonga coach Kristian Woolf.

www.loverugbyleague.com

Because of the intensity of the competition and the player workload and the subsequent toll..

But Origin doesn’t?

So basically a BS reason with BS intentions…

 

[RedVee_8]

Heard that a Lebanon vs Malta test is to be played as well. Belmore Sports Ground same weekend as the Pacific Tests at Campbelltown.

Anyone have more complete details?

 

[LeagueXIII]

Because of the intensity of the competition and the player workload and the subsequent toll..

But Origin doesn’t?

So basically a BS reason with BS intentions…

Correct. It looks like the NRL are following Shane Richardson's plan for International RL

 

[LeagueXIII]

Origin is now the great god, international football an add on.

 

[Matua]

Correct. It looks like the NRL are following Shane Richardson's plan for International RL

View attachment 62559

What the actual hell. Is Australia so scared of losing test matches that they're just going to stack the decks against the Kiwis. It's not enough that they allow PIs to play Origin and for PI teams, but now they want to stop NZ playing test matches when Origin is on.

There's no point being a league fan in NZ anymore, the Warriors need to be burnt to the ground and Australia is continuing to kill off international league.

What a joke.

 

[LeagueXIII]

Agree.

As league fans we have to realise our game is now run by the NRL clubs and News Corp/V'landys. All decisions are based on what's best for the clubs and the bottom line, the game comes second.

 

[jim_57]

The pre-Origin NRL games suck so not sure why the NRL is going back to all Wednesdays. The Sunday game and rep weekend seemed to be gaining in popularity up until 2020.

It would be great if NZ had the power to stand up and say “OK we’ll play on the Thursday after Origin” but unfortunately that is never going to happen.

 

[siv]

I thinj a good comprimise woukd still be 3 weekends

But all SOO games are played on Tuesday night

No NRL clubs miss players

We have 3 weekends for rep games

Play 4 nations Pacific Cup, 4 nation Euro Cup

Add other games like the Affiliate State Comp, U19s U21s

And maybe a QF SF F of a midweek cup on ThNF FNF for players not selected in rep football

Round 1-2 would be played in the pre season

 

[WestskrXIII]

Heard that a Lebanon vs Malta test is to be played as well. Belmore Sports Ground same weekend as the Pacific Tests at Campbelltown.

Anyone have more complete details?

It seems to be happening on the 22nd of June, but apart from that...

 

[taste2taste]

Full strength samoan team would be a team to watch out for unfortunately Parish is still the coach
1 Suali'i
2 To'o
3 Tago
4 Crichton
5 May
6 Luai
7 Milford
8 Paulo
9 Levi
10 Papali'i
11 Sua
12 Schuster
13 Fa'asuamaleaui

That's a great team, could beat anyone.

It's a shame half that team will be MIA because they'll be playing in the pinnacle of our embarrassing small game ... state Vs state

 

[taste2taste]

Wouldn't it be good if all the Tongan, Samoan and Fijian players chose country over state.
It would throw Origin into chaos ( loosing roughly 10 players ) and show the NRL that although they don't take international footy seriously...the players do !

 

[Clarkent]

 

[Clarkent]

Kiwis gonna need a big game from their halves

 

[RedVee_8]

Lebanon vs Malta
Wednesday Jun 22 at 7pm.

I’d prefer 12 noon or 2pm on the Saturday or Sunday afternoon but here it is

 

[Stinkfinger]

Agree.

As league fans we have to realise our game is now run by the NRL clubs and News Corp/V'landys. All decisions are based on what's best for the clubs and the bottom line, the game comes second.

The players want to be paid.

 

[Stinkfinger]

What the actual hell. Is Australia so scared of losing test matches that they're just going to stack the decks against the Kiwis. It's not enough that they allow PIs to play Origin and for PI teams, but now they want to stop NZ playing test matches when Origin is on.

There's no point being a league fan in NZ anymore, the Warriors need to be burnt to the ground and Australia is continuing to kill off international league.

What a joke.

Those who make these decisions are not afraid of Australia losing games. In fact they'd love Australia to lose games so the international sport would gain more interest by being more competitive, which is the great attraction of Origin. What they are afraid of is losing money.

Australia winning all the time has brought international RL to where it is now.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

View attachment 62738

Did they pick Eli Katoa because they needed a token Tongan in the squad