Pacific Cup

[Matua]

Great win, but how the f**k did that happen? Seems every now and then when we have absolutely no chance, we beat them

We didn't have absolutely no chance, the second half just got away from us last week. We were always going to refocus for this match. A decent ref performance and we were always a good chance.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

All the blokes that pulled out this year, no matter how they play next year, the blokes who fronted and won this get the jersey for me. Outstanding effort

 

[SpaceMonkey]

All the blokes that pulled out this year, no matter how they play next year, the blokes who fronted and won this get the jersey for me. Outstanding effort

Yeah agreed. Hooker might be the only exception if Foran doesn’t decide to keep going next year. He must be held together with duct tape, staples and spite

 

[Matua]

Yeah agreed. Hooker might be the only exception if Foran doesn’t decide to keep going next year. He must be held together with duct tape, staples and spite

Well all the hookers were genuinely injured weren't they so we can't be too tough on them? Is Foran playing next year? If he plays NRL he'll probably put his hand up for the Kiwis unlike some other players.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Well all the hookers were genuinely injured weren't they so we can't be too tough on them? Is Foran playing next year? If he plays NRL he'll probably put his hand up for the Kiwis unlike some other players.

Yep he is playing, back under Des. Smith can have the 14 role

 

[sup42]

Tohu and Johnson both needed to stop playing for their bodies so I have no issue with those two stars being unavailable.
Johnson was playing on Jabs and a goal kicking ban, Harris was grinding the gears in his knee till off season surgery.

I would bring those two straight back in if they want to play next year. Even though I do not advocate changing a winning test side, I would have Tohu over Papalii and Niukore any day.

 

[blue bags]

Congratulations to you all
Best team

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Tohu and Johnson both needed to stop playing for their bodies so I have no issue with those two stars being unavailable.
Johnson was playing on Jabs and a goal kicking ban, Harris was grinding the gears in his knee till off season surgery.

I would bring those two straight back in if they want to play next year. Even though I do not advocate changing a winning test side, I would have Tohu over Papalii and Niukore any day.

Tohu hasn’t played a test since 2015 I think I read, so don’t think he has any interest and I wouldn’t be picking him again, I can understand with him though after the disgraceful way he was treated when Money Bill was around

Shaun, the month off between the end of the Warriors and Kiwis probably would have seen his niggles good to go, Hughes missed Storm games near the end of their campaign but still fronted and I can’t give Shaun his spot if both are fit. Forans body is toast but he chucked himself into the middle of the park and threw himself into their big boys so a spot for him as long as he wants it as well

 

[JJ]

Tohu hasn’t played a test since 2015 I think I read, so don’t think he has any interest and I wouldn’t be picking him again, I can understand with him though after the disgraceful way he was treated when Money Bill was around

Shaun, the month off between the end of the Warriors and Kiwis probably would have seen his niggles good to go, Hughes missed Storm games near the end of their campaign but still fronted and I can’t give Shaun his spot if both are fit. Forans body is toast but he chucked himself into the middle of the park and threw himself into their big boys so a spot for him as long as he wants it as well

Foran really is a strange one - obviously the off field shit that I don't know much about, the half arsed Warriors effort, then astonishing shit like this... so much we don't know about the state of his health, I guess - but yeah, if he wants it the jersey is his imo

 

[JJ]

We didn't have absolutely no chance, the second half just got away from us last week. We were always going to refocus for this match. A decent ref performance and we were always a good chance.

I just meant looking at the squads, mainly hooker, halves etc - I'll stick with Australia should have won - and I have a long held view that Meninga is not a good coach

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

The Harris/SBW thing happened in 2013 and Harris's entire Kiwis career ran from 2013-2016. He has effectively retired and it has nothing to do with the SBW thing which happened right at the start of his career. tbh for someone who you'd think would be a loyal Kiwi, it's very poor.

 

[Fufu Andronez]

SJ has played 30+ tests for the Kiwis ffs, Tohu 15+, Foran 30+. Why are we bringing them down in order to raise Kieran up. Doesn't always need to be a negative in everything, just bask in the win.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Everyone has to earn the jersey, no matter who you are.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Foran really is a strange one - obviously the off field shit that I don't know much about, the half arsed Warriors effort, then astonishing shit like this... so much we don't know about the state of his health, I guess - but yeah, if he wants it the jersey is his imo

He went off the rails completely off the park between 2014 and the end of his Warriors stint, guess it hit a point where he saw that he wasn’t valuable any more and he tidied himself up off the park in all areas and has reaped the rewards. Didn’t think I’d ever support the guy again after the way he left Manly and the Warriors but credit to him for turning me around

 

[Beavers Headgear]

The Harris/SBW thing happened in 2013 and Harris's entire Kiwis career ran from 2013-2016. He has effectively retired and it has nothing to do with the SBW thing which happened right at the start of his career. tbh for someone who you'd think would be a loyal Kiwi, it's very poor.

Not sure I could be sure it has nothing to do with his decision, those few years may have been ticking the box, but in the backend of his career, maybe it’s why the loyalty isn’t there and he doesn’t feel the need to commit. All speculation of course

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Foran really is a strange one - obviously the off field shit that I don't know much about, the half arsed Warriors effort, then astonishing shit like this... so much we don't know about the state of his health, I guess - but yeah, if he wants it the jersey is his imo

I think it’s a mental thing with him. If he’s keeping his nose clean and his head’s in the right place he’s a great player otherwise he’s a bit of a train wreck.

 

[sup42]

Tohu hasn’t played a test since 2015 I think I read, so don’t think he has any interest and I wouldn’t be picking him again, I can understand with him though after the disgraceful way he was treated when Money Bill was around

Shaun, the month off between the end of the Warriors and Kiwis probably would have seen his niggles good to go, Hughes missed Storm games near the end of their campaign but still fronted and I can’t give Shaun his spot if both are fit. Forans body is toast but he chucked himself into the middle of the park and threw himself into their big boys so a spot for him as long as he wants it as well

The way I view guys like Shaun and Tohu are that they are Kiwi veterans and all time greats who can have a break from tests if they choose without it affecting future opportunities to play for NZ.

I believe in giving guys like that who have been Loyal for years a open opportunity for future selection.

I would not replace Hughes with anyone but I would give serious consideration to playing both with the younger and more of a running half in Hughes the six Jersey to SJs Seven.

That does not always work, having two halfbacks, but sometimes it does, and certainly our kicking game would be pretty awesome with those two as genuine options on the fifth.

Tohu is as good a defender as anyone that played this Pacific cup and he is a better ball playing forward than anyone who played in that tournament and therefore brings a different dimension to the pack if he wants back in.

One of the realities of our small selection pool is that this probably need not even be an either or conversation, there is every likelihood a handful of players from this last epic victory will be unavailable next year through injury or suspension or family circumstance.

But the main point I wanted to make is guys who have served well in the past should always be welcome in the future, whatever goes on in between years, NZ does not have the depth to turn gift horses away.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Maguire gone as Kiwis coach

 

[LeagueNut]

Maguire gone as Kiwis coach

Dumb dumb dumb