Pacific Islanders squad named

[ozbash]

The Pacific Islanders rugby selectors have revealed a squad of 28 players to tour the UK and Ireland at the end of the year.

Auckland first five Tasesa Lavea is one name that has caught the eye.

Lavea was in the sights of the All Blacks last year but is listed in the Islanders as a Samoan player, which means he is likely to be seen playing for them in the long term.

Curiously, Lavea's Auckland team mate Isa Nacewa is not included but is available.

Former Waikato and New Zealand Maori prop Deacon Manu made the cut through his Fijian heritage.

Other Air New Zealand Cup players include Wellington flyer Lome Faatau, Otago midfielder Seilala Mapusua and Waikato fullback Loki Crichton.

Islanders coach Pat Lam said the team is embarking on a historic tour and are looking forward to the challenge.

"There are a lot of experienced players in this team. I will be looking to these players to provide leadership both on and off the field and to do everything possible to make this tour a success," said Lam.

The team will assemble in London on October 29. They will play a warm-up game against Harlequins on November 1 before the first test match of the tour against Wales on November 11.

Other matches on the tour are against Scotland on November 18 and Ireland on November 26.

PACIFIC ISLANDERS SQUAD: Deacon Manu (Fiji), Taufaao Felise (Tonga), Tevita Taumoepeau (Tonga), Census Johnson (Samoa), Aleki Lutui (Tonga), Mahonri Schwalger (Samoa), Simon Rawalui (Fiji, capt), Daniel Leo (Samoa), Maama Molitika (Tonga), Isoa Domalailai (Fiji), Epi Taione (Tonga), Pila Vaki (Tonga), Semo Setiti (Samoa), Henry Tuilagi (Samoa), Aca Ratouva (Fiji), Nili Latu (Tonga), Mosese Rauluni (Fiji), Junior Polu (Samoa), Seremaia Bai (Fiji), Tasesa Lavea (Samoa), Seilala Mapusua (Samoa), Kameli Ratouva (Fiji), Sailosi Tagicakibau (Samoa), Lome Faatau (Samoa), Rupeni Caucau (Fiji), Alesana Tuilagi (Samoa), Norman Ligari (Fiji), Loki Crichton (Samoa).

 

[douglasallen91]

woohoo that means the blues have to prove that lavea is better than whatelse is on offer in the area to have lavea play for them. with mcallister, pisi and munro i don't think so.

 

[Sanchez]

tisi pisi ha yea right. use nacewa mc callister and munroe or at a pinch dan bowden from northland but not pisi

 

[ozbash]

lavea is alright, its the bloody hack number 9 that passes to to him.

 

[Sanchez]

which one? devine or moa or super 14 when we had j senio and polu

 

[ozbash]

devine costs auckland more games than they win through him.

 

[Sanchez]

got one of the crispest passes in the country

 

[Sanchez]

Tusi Pisi called into Pacific Islanders squad for UK Tour; Tasesa Lavea's withdrawn at the request of Chiefs coach Ian Foster
Crusaders draft player Tusi Pisi has been called into the Pacific Islanders rugby squad three test tour of the UK.
The North Harbour first five has replaced Auckland's Tasesa Lavea, who has pulled out of the tour at the request of Chiefs coach Ian Foster. Foster has insisted Lavea remains in New Zealand to take part in pre-season training.
Pisi's decision to join the tour will not rule him out of any possible future All Black selection. He says it was the first thing he checked.
The Pacific Islanders will play tests against Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
http://www.radiosport.co.nz/SportsNews/sprug/Detail.aspx?id=106746

one very crap 1st five being replaced by just a crap one

 

[Sanchez]

Coach Pat Lam says Pacific Islanders concept should be retained, despite three heavy defeats on UK tour
Pacific Islanders rugby coach Pat Lam believes the concept should stay despite his side suffering three heavy defeats on its UK tour.
The combined Samoa, Fijian and Tongan side was thrashed 61-17 by Ireland in its final game this morning, to cap off what has been a disappointing tour. The Islanders also lost 34-22 to Scotland and 38-20 to Wales
Pat Lam says better preparation is the key to getting better results. He says if you want to play against the tier one countries, you need to prepare the way they do. He says having come in to take charge of the side at the end of August, it has been more like a Barbarians tour.
Lam also concedes the timing of the tour might have been wrong a year out from the World Cup. He says teams should perhaps tour individually to give them a better preparation for the World Cup, with the Islanders getting together the year after World Cups.
http://www.radiosport.co.nz/SportsNews/sprug/Detail.aspx?id=108157

 

[bayrep]

I didnt think that the PI team did that well this year. It made a bit of a farce of the team especially losing to Scotland they should have at least rolled those guys. It makes the individual PI teams look a lot weaker now. I was all Pro for the PI team I am not so sure now. I would rather see the individual teams get more game time in a Pacific cup

or have the S14 drop Queensland and a SA team and make up a couple of PI teams.

 

[Sanchez]

they have lost all their games in both this tour and their original games against the trinations teams