Pacific Championships 2024

[taste2taste]

Frizell retired from rep, Penisini must've got dropped or I'm pretty sure he got injured this year. Olakau'atu and Katoa starting second rowers for me

To me it looks like Tonga are 1 middle forward short ? They must be planning to use Olakau'atu in the middle like he was for Origin ?

Bit disappointed to see Wong choose Tonga, he's previously represented Fiji and they need all the quality players they can to challenge the top teams...and it's not like Tonga are short on edge forwards lol

 

[Captain Apollo]

Minor injuries? Cleary is f**ked

I believe he needs surgery on his shoulder before next season.

 

[mikail-eagle]

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

Just wonder how many of the `injured` Kiwi players may have put their hands up if Bennett had been involved. Even if only as Stacey`s assistant. Jeez I hope that the NZRL know what they`re doing.
Worst case scenario I suppose, the Kiwis` playing either PNG or Fiji for the relegation/promotion spot at CommBank on the 10th of November. LOL

 

[mikail-eagle]

Just wonder how many of the `injured` Kiwi players may have put their hands up if Bennett had been involved. Even if only as Stacey`s assistant. Jeez I hope that the NZRL know what they`re doing.
Worst case scenario I suppose, the Kiwis` playing either PNG or Fiji for the relegation/promotion spot at CommBank on the 10th of November. LOL

Both PNG and Fiji are not at full strength this year so any relegation/promotion game won't be a problem for any of the Pacific Cup Teams this year.

 

[Matua]

That tongan forward pack is the most stacked out of the 3 teams they just need Katoa at halfback to lead them well

TBH, outside of that 2017 ambush we've always dealt with the hyped Tongan packs so I'm not actually that concerned despite no Leota. Speaking of Leota, did you guys poach him?

My biggest concern with the Kiwis is not the players but the coaching staff.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Kiwis favourites?

Don't know why JMK didn't get picked, injury?

 

[Perth Red]

Hard to say who wins this, all 3 squads missing some big names.

 

[Clarkent]

TBH, outside of that 2017 ambush we've always dealt with the hyped Tongan packs so I'm not actually that concerned despite no Leota. Speaking of Leota, did you guys poach him?

My biggest concern with the Kiwis is not the players but the coaching staff.

Tongas forward pack is strong but Kiwis and Kangaroos forwards are nrl players too they can't be bullied but they can create better space and time for the halves to work. Which is why Katoa has a huge responsibility as a halfback to direct the ship. The problem is Tonga doesn't have a strong 6,9 or 1 to help him out. Leota is out injured and we can't poach a player that was already poached from us

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Just wonder how many of the `injured` Kiwi players may have put their hands up if Bennett had been involved. Even if only as Stacey`s assistant. Jeez I hope that the NZRL know what they`re doing.
Worst case scenario I suppose, the Kiwis` playing either PNG or Fiji for the relegation/promotion spot at CommBank on the 10th of November. LOL

Do you think the team is in trouble? I worry about Stacey's coaching but they do still have the quality of Hughes, JFH, Tapine and inform players like Isaako and Nikorima. I think they'll be tough to beat.

 

[Clarkent]

Hard to say who wins this, all 3 squads missing some big names.

I don't think Tonga are missing any big players out besides Penisini and Talakai? Unless they were both not good enough to be picked? Talakai is a huge shocker for me

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

Do you think the team is in trouble? I worry about Stacey's coaching but they do still have the quality of Hughes, JFH, Tapine and inform players like Isaako and Nikorima. I think they'll be tough to beat.

Nah I was going to post that the Kiwi`s still have a pretty good side, I`d put CNK at centre and maybe play Kini at fullback where he`s been killing it this year, is that too much for a kid, maybe.
I think Nikorima is fine as a cover for Brown or Foran, damn shame JMK, in particular, or Smith isn`t available, but great to see Crossland get a go and he will give it everything. I think Briton Nikora is a big out as well.
And any side with Hughes in it and is a decent side won`t go too bad, he`s a little champ.
All up, if Jones can get them organised and with a good game plan (hopefully) they`ll go ok.
I just want a close series and hopefully someone other than the Aussies to win so this series can grow and players want to play, even if they`ve got a niggle.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Jennings playing for a 3rd nation? Can't be too many who have done that

 

[Jim from Oz]

New Zealand hit by injury crisis with eight debutants in Pacific Championships squad

Dally M winner Jahrome Hughes in Kiwis side for two Tests while Penrith rising star Paul Alamoti will make Tonga debut

www.theguardian.com

 

[Bobby DIGital]

Well, last year I was disappointed when I first saw our squad as it contained guys who aren't regular first graders, yet we won the 2 games in NZ by a combined score of 80-0. This year we have even more unheralded players, but I'm trying not to be disappointed due to last year's result. Can Stacey steer this ship? Time will tell.

Pleased to see Riki in this year. Last year I was hoping we'd put a line through Nikoroma's name cos he decided he couldn't play due to being the best man at someone's wedding. I guess we are really low on halves now though, so I can let that slide. Sorenson himself pulled out due to his own wedding, so I wasn't as annoyed with him, yet still pretty annoyed. Good to see him back though, especially with Nikora out. It's also good to have Niukore's utility value back in the squad.

 

[Bobby DIGital]

1. Kini
2. Warbrick
3. Timoko
4. CNK
5. Isaako
6. Nikorima
7. Hughes
8. Thompson
9. Crossland
10. JFH (c)
11. Papalii
12. Riki
13. Tapine

14. Niukore
15. Neame
16. Sorensen
17. Clark

18. Whyte

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Nah I was going to post that the Kiwi`s still have a pretty good side, I`d put CNK at centre and maybe play Kini at fullback where he`s been killing it this year, is that too much for a kid, maybe.
I think Nikorima is fine as a cover for Brown or Foran, damn shame JMK, in particular, or Smith isn`t available, but great to see Crossland get a go and he will give it everything. I think Briton Nikora is a big out as well.
And any side with Hughes in it and is a decent side won`t go too bad, he`s a little champ.
All up, if Jones can get them organised and with a good game plan (hopefully) they`ll go ok.
I just want a close series and hopefully someone other than the Aussies to win so this series can grow and players want to play, even if they`ve got a niggle.

Yeah I really thought JMK was right to play, I think at his best he's in front of cheese for the Kiwis, maybe the two could do a Hunt/Grant combo.

If Kiwis can go back to back it starts to really build the interest coming into the next world cup where you'll also have a competitive England, Samoa and Tonga

 

[Last Week]

Can't see the Kiwis or Tonga having an effective long kicking game.

 

[Bobby DIGital]

Yeah I really thought JMK was right to play, I think at his best he's in front of cheese for the Kiwis, maybe the two could do a Hunt/Grant combo.

If Kiwis can go back to back it starts to really build the interest coming into the next world cup where you'll also have a competitive England, Samoa and Tonga

Yeah I need an explanation on the JMK situation. He came back from injury for the last couple games of the season. So unless he was re-injured in those games, he's been pulled out by the Dolphins/Tongan coach Kristian Woolf.

 

[JamesRustle]

Kiwis should have snapped up KP... he aint being selected for the roos.. ever