RLWC17 squads

[grouch]

Strongest squad I've ever seen outside Oz/NZ/Eng

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Only three halves and one hooker. If they get injuries there they will struggle big time.

 

[grouch]

Only three halves and one hooker. If they get injuries there they will struggle big time.

Two hookers - Havili and Katoa. But yeah. Need the halves to both stay fit and play well

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Two hookers - Havili and Katoa. But yeah. Need the halves to both stay fit and play well

Yep I didn't notice Havili.

It's their best halves combo, although Jim Dymock played for them once upon a time. But still their big weakness.

 

[Disco]

Pretty good team....and that is without Kata and Vatuvei

1. Will Hopoate
2. David Fusitu’a
3. Michael Jennings
4. Konrad Hurrell
5. Daniel Tupou
6. Tuimoala Lolohea
7. Ata Hingano
8. Andrew Fifita
9. Sione Katoa
10. Sam Moa
11. Manu Ma'u
12. Sio Siua Taukieaho
13. Jason Taumalolo

14. Siliva Havilli
15. Joe Ofahengaue
16. Tevita Pangai jnr
17. Sika Manu/ Peni Terepo

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Kiws squad: Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Gerard Beale, Adam Blair, Kenny Bromwich, Addin Fonua-Blake, Peta Hiku, Shaun Johnson, Thomas Leuliuai, Danny Levi, Isaac Liu, Simon Mannering, Te Maire Martin, Jason Nightingale, Kodi Nikorima, Russell Packer, Jordan Rapana, Brad Takairangi, Joseph Tapine, Martin Taupau, Elijah Taylor, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Dean Whare.

 

[adamkungl]

Kiwis likely line up as

1 RTS
2 DWZ
3 Beale
4 Whare
5 Rapana
6 TMM
7 Johnson
8 Packer
9 Levi
10 Blair
11 Mannering
12 K.Bromwich
13 Taupau

14 K.Nikorima
15 Taylor
16 JWH
17 Asofa-Solomona

18 Takairangi
19 Tapine
20 Hiku
21 Leuluai
22 Liu
23 AFB
24 Nightingale

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Italy being announced now.

 

[adamkungl]

Tbh that squad is a testament to NZs modern depth. It's still strong, though lacking some names. The potato coach will be their bigger downfall.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Kiwis likely line up as

1 RTS
2 DWZ
3 Beale
4 Whare
5 Rapana
6 TMM
7 Johnson
8 Packer
9 Levi
10 Blair
11 Mannering
12 K.Bromwich
13 Taupau

14 K.Nikorima
15 Taylor
16 JWH
17 Asofa-Solomona

18 Takairangi
19 Tapine
20 Hiku
21 Leuluai
22 Liu
23 AFB
24 Nightingale

Centres and wings listed on wrong side. Leuluai will be there for either TMM or Levi. I think Tapine will force his way in too.

Certainly looks like a bits and parts Kiwi team, but you never know. At least they're rewarding guys who showed good form (Blake, Liu, Takairangi, Nikorima, TMM, Levi etc).

 

[morningstar]

Tonga

• Konrad Hurrell
• Solomone Kata
• Sam Moa
• Ukuma Ta'ai

Strong set of forwards as expected, gash spine.

4 Tongan born in the 24.

 

[adamkungl]

Potential Tonga lineup - note excellent wingers and centres depth

Tonga
1 Hopoate
2 Fonua
3 Kata
4 Jennings
5 Tupou
6 Lolohea
7 Hingano
8 Fifita
9 Havilli
10 Moa
11 Taumololo
12 SST
13 Ma'u
..
14 Katoa
15 BMM
16 Ofahengaue
17 Manu
--
18 Langi
19 Hurrell
20 Fusitua
21 Pangai Jr
22 Ta'ai
23 Terepo
24 Vatuvei

 

[Matua]

Centres and wings listed on wrong side. Leuluai will be there for either TMM or Levi. I think Tapine will force his way in too.

Certainly looks like a bits and parts Kiwi team, but you never know. At least they're rewarding guys who showed good form (Blake, Liu, Takairangi, Nikorima, TMM, Levi etc).

Basically that Kiwis team is rewarding two guys convicted of assault while not selecting two others for taking recreational drugs - I find that a bit messed up. Moral stand made on drugs, but not on assault ... what a joke.

Edit: I don't have a problem with Packer and Blake being eligible, just think it's a silly double standard. The NZRL could have just stood Bromwich and Proctor down a match or two.

 

[adamkungl]

Basically that Kiwis team is rewarding two guys convicted of assault while not selecting two others for taking recreational drugs - I find that a bit messed up. Moral stand made on drugs, but not on assault ... what a joke.

They aren't permanently banned. The two you mentioned have done their time, whether or not you agree with that time is another debate.

Fwiw I think it's a stand for team culture more than drugs anyway - the captain going out partying after a weak loss is trash.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Tbh that squad is a testament to NZs modern depth. It's still strong, though lacking some names. The potato coach will be their bigger downfall.

Very true. The banned/injured/defected/overlooked team would be interesting

1. Lolohea
2. Fusitua
3. Kahu
4. SKD
5. Vatuvei
6. Foran
7. Benji
8. Matulino
9. Luke
10. Bromwich
11. Harris
12. Proctor
13. Taumalolo

14. Taukeiaho
15. Ma'u
16. Moa
17. Kasiano

Could make a 3rd team out of NRL experienced players too. Gone are the days where Willie Talau was five eight and Nigel Vagana fullback. We still have the occasional Harris to 6, but as you already pointed out - David Spudwell is our coach.

 

[Clifferd]

Not the biggest Fifita fan but props to him for switching allegiances to help A minion nation out. Tonga look strong and should reach the semis

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Kahu is an odd non-selection.

Bennett send him for surgery?

 

[Matua]

They aren't permanently banned. The two you mentioned have done their time, whether or not you agree with that time is another debate.

Fwiw I think it's a stand for team culture more than drugs anyway - the captain going out partying after a weak loss is trash.

Did you see my edit? Must have made it as you were typing.

Clearly the team culture is stuffed, which is why their are deflections - making an idiotic stand a day after something happened has hardly helped team culture.

The NZRL are making the Warriors seem like a competent organisation.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Bennett send him for surgery?

Bingo

 

[Diesel]

Kiwis won't have to worry about Kidwell forgetting to use Taumalolo