Samoa vs Tonga, confirmed.

[welshmagpie]

https://en-gb.facebook.com/rugbyleaguesamoa?group_id=0

Saturday 20th April
Centre bet Satdium, Penrith

 

[deal.with.it]

And apparently televised too!

 

[Drew-Sta]

What time?

 

[PARRA_FAN]

7.30 pm I think. Is this the same weekend as the Aus/NZ test match?

 

[hutch]

http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/showthread.php?t=416003

Probably worth joining the threads together.

 

[Hollywood Jesus]

What else is on that day? The U20s SOO?

In order to televise both games one will be delayed, right? So which gets bumped from live?

 

[roughyedspud]

depends on who they've sold the tv rights too i guess....

as i said before channel ten might be a option...the game plan rated well last season and they were keen on NRL tv rights....so screen buying tv rights for internationals seems a perfect "foot in the door" for ten..

 

[vinnie delpino]

Could blokes like say Hurrell turn out for Tonga for this match then NZ for the WC and vice versa or is it only after the WC the reset button is hit?

 

[deal.with.it]

I'm pretty sure the U20s origin and the Tonga vs Samoa match are played at the same venue. They will both be televised on Fox (my guess) one after the other. They will be on sat night and the Aus vs NZ match on fri night.

 

[hutch]

Could blokes like say Hurrell turn out for Tonga for this match then NZ for the WC and vice versa or is it only after the WC the reset button is hit?

You can switch once within a World Cup cycle so technically yes, no matter how ridiculous that is. Some players have already switched once such as uate, it will be interesting to see what they let him do if he misses out on Australian selection.

 

[vinnie delpino]

Wonder if they'll be dumb withdrawals during the camps like Anthonys Tupous the last time round

 

[Warrior@Heart]

Could blokes like say Hurrell turn out for Tonga for this match then NZ for the WC and vice versa or is it only after the WC the reset button is hit?

I hope he chooses Tonga anyway, don't want him anywhere near a kiwis jersey. Hope Roger Tuivasa-Sheck chooses Samoa aswell, not because I wouldn't want him in a kiwis jersey because he seems to be a great prospect but it would give them a valuable player to build around.

 

[siv]

Congratulations to everyone who made this a reality

Now all we need is a PNG v Fiji test also on the same weekend

 

[roughyedspud]

only 4 years in the making.....

 

[***MH***]

More internationals need to be tagged onto other league events so crowds and resources can be shared to lower costs.

I would always have hoped that pacific test playing nations would hold test matches as curtain raisers to the state of origin to help build their squads and statuses back home.

Nations like Fiji v PNG playing at Suncorp before a SOO helps them, as Ch9 would be able to cover their game, they have access to ARLC resources that they wouldn't have at home such as Video referees, first aid and etc...

This also helps the NRL playing pool with their nationality selection rather than defecting to QLD or NSW or NZ. Knowing they get to play on the big stage for their nation should encourage loyalty.

 

[Hollywood Jesus]

In terms of sharing venues for curtain raisers, how would TV rights and gate takings work?

Is the SOO U20s is on FOX, what are the realistic chances of SvT selling to 10? If it's not realistic, doesn't that put SvT in a shit position in terms of actually getting a good price?

 

[roughyedspud]

im not one of those fans who thinks double headers devalues international RL....but sharing the bill with a under 20's origin games is abit of a kick in the teeth imo..

 

[hutch]

playing samoa v tonga in samoa or tonga annually would do more for the sport in those countries than any double header on fox sports in australia.

 

[Sydney Knight]

Agree that these games should ideally be in Samoa or Tonga. It has taken so long to organise so anything is better than nothing.

Hope they van raise some funds and sponsors and have the next game in the islands

 

[deal.with.it]

At least this game will be the headline act with U20s origin the curtain raiser.
Will be market stalls and a big celebration of the contribution of Samoa and Tonga troops in the war.
For this time of year, hosting in Sydney is the best option and should be an annual match.
At the end of year, have the players go to the island and do a week long camp, followed by a match.
But mid year, it just isn't feasible. The only thing feasible is to do what Fiji and Samoa did last year, and that is have a domestic players only test series in the islands.