Pacific Cup 2024

[Big Marn]

Hiku would be a huge defensive liability. Not sure what Stacy has been smoking

 

[JJ]

Not sure I agree - Hiku has a lot to offer, and has generally done really well in these sorts of games - his defensive issues are usually more evident across a season

 

[Beavers Headgear]

 

[Beavers Headgear]

 

[Beavers Headgear]

That Tongan side could almost head in favourites

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

That Tongan side could almost head in favourites

I know right... the pack is monstrous and with Katoa, Hopoate and Luke they have some genuine class in the spine. Fk me that team is stacked.

Other than maybe Dave Fifita, I'm struggling to think of a Tongan eligible player that's opted for either the Roos or Kiwis..? They seem to have successfully captured all their best players.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Other than maybe Dave Fifita, I'm struggling to think of a Tongan eligible player that's opted for either the Roos or Kiwis..? They seem to have successfully captured all their best players.

Yeah don't think there are any. Fifita has previously played for Tonga and has never player for Australia - out injured at the moment, was there an indication he was looking to switch?

 

[hitro]

What I take out of it is Warriors have 5 above average players. Fisher-Harris, Barnett, Clark, Niukore and Klocstad.
Nice work from recruiting dept that the two new recruits are up there, but I feel they could sign up a few more than 2. More than 2 good players have left. If there's no money in the cap maybe Tohu should be encouraged to retire and sign up some more good players. So next season we are going to have great props again just need to work out what to do when the props get them up the right end of the field. Feel TMM knows what to do but is injury prone. Not too sure what to make of Metcalf except he is fast and injury prone. I really want to see Tuaupiki in the 13, he is a nice goal kicker and also has a short kicking game. Charnze into centres or standoff he was never in any Australian lists of top performing FBs this year. RTS to general spare part man

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Interesting DWZ made this big song and dance about switching to Tonga, hasn't played for them, and hasn't been picked for anyone?

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Yeah don't think there are any. Fifita has previously played for Tonga and has never player for Australia - out injured at the moment, was there an indication he was looking to switch?

Nah no indication or anything… I just wasn’t sure where his allegiances lay. But if he’s already committed to Tonga then yea, it looks like they’ve hooked all their best players.

That’s quite remarkable, especially compared to Samoa who have probably 8-9 eligible players aligned with the Roos and Kiwis.

 

[shinobi]

Yea more than a few useful names unavailable..

A couple of positives though.. pleasant surprise seeing one of the Penrith McLean boys there; I didnt know they had Kiwi ties. Happy to see Kini there too.

Agree love seeing the young fullas come through. Much rather go with youth than having to call on Uncle Peta to come to the rescue. Were Berry or Leiauataua unavailable? Guessing Howarth is going for a QLD jersey after a big year for Storm.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Nah no indication or anything… I just wasn’t sure where his allegiances lay. But if he’s already committed to Tonga then yea, it looks like they’ve hooked all their best players.

That’s quite remarkable, especially compared to Samoa who have probably 8-9 eligible players aligned with the Roos and Kiwis.

Actually there is one Tonga eligible player I think - Sorenson

 

[Matua]

Agree love seeing the young fullas come through. Much rather go with youth than having to call on Uncle Peta to come to the rescue. Were Berry or Leiauataua unavailable? Guessing Howarth is going for a QLD jersey after a big year for Storm.

Berry is not even close to test status, he's not even really first grade. I'd rather select his dad for the Kiwis.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Actually I’m full of shit, apparently Whyte is Tongan too

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Ok so there’s still a couple who haven’t made the jump. They've still done remarkably well getting players to commit haven’t they.

Sorenson is a very good player, but he’d probably struggle to get a start over Katoa and Olakauatu. And they still have Koloamatangi and Tupouniua as well. Kiwis game will be well worth catching.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Ok so there’s still a couple who haven’t made the jump. They've still done remarkably well getting players to commit haven’t they.

Sorenson is a very good player, but he’d probably struggle to get a start over Katoa and Olakauatu. And they still have Koloamatangi and Tupouniua as well. Kiwis game will be well worth catching.

Absolutely yeah. I reckon Sorenson would possibly make the Tongan squad if he was keen but not Whyte.

 

[shinobi]

Berry is not even close to test status, he's not even really first grade. I'd rather select his dad for the Kiwis.

Yeah im just saying we need the young ones. How about Arthars, Deine Mariner, Seb Kris etc? Crazy how thin we are in outside backs.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Bit of scandal on the women’s side of things, with the winner of the WNRL player of the year who also had a huge grand final left out of the Aussie squad

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Bit of scandal on the women’s side of things, with the winner of the WNRL player of the year who also had a huge grand final left out of the Aussie squad

Shit just been reading about that... coach tries to justify non-selection by saying she came off the bench for Origin, when in fact she started but just happened to be wearing the #15 jersey?

Man... dude has dug himself into a hole alright.

 

[Beavers Headgear]