Samoa vs Tonga, confirmed.

[hutch]

The people who say most of the players only play for these teams because they missed out on Australia and new Zealand should look at their faces during the anthems and war dance. This means a lot to them and saying they can't play because they represented another country in the past is idiotic

Nobody doubts their passion but the constant switching of nations in the past is whats idiotic. Hopefully more matches like this convince players to stick to the country they represent. And hopefully these type of games encourage people to take up rugby league in Samoa and tonga and increases the sports development in these countries which is far more important than developing the sport within these communities in western Sydney.

And what did fatty say?

And yes, what did fatty say?

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

Great match so far, most in here have been calling for this type of thing for years.

Quality is impressive considering the weather. Excellent crowd too.

 

[Coleworld]

This game is fantastic, I really hope this kick starts something special for these two nations to continue playing matches annually.

It's a great rivalry and the intensity shown early has been far more entertaining than Australia vs Nz.

I feel this two nations could cause upsets in this years World Cup.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

Big raps for this game...has serious potential in the years to come. Congratulations to the ARLC (?) for putting it on. Build it up then bring in PNG and Fiji in the future, you've got yourself a Pacific Cup. Just a question of where to play the games.

 

[hutch]

Very entertaining game and great atmosphere, but the standard isn't all that great and they have a long way to go to compete with the big boys. More games together and keeping their players together would definitely help their cause though.

 

[hutch]

This weekend definitely needs to expand to include png v Fiji next year. The Cook Islands can be included somewhere as well, perhaps v the USA.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

Very entertaining game and great atmosphere, but the standard isn't all that great

Maybe, but I'd much rather watch this and other lower level internationals than methodical Australia victories, even if the standard is supposedly "better". An unfortunate paradox...

 

[hutch]

Maybe, but I'd much rather watch this and other lower level internationals than methodical Australia victories, even if the standard is supposedly "better". An unfortunate paradox...

Don't get me wrong, im loving the game.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

Crowd: 10,143

Good considering the weather. I can't find much about union games played on the islands apart from a Wales - Samoa in front of 7,500 in 1994. Given the costs involved unfortunately you would think that it is most profitable and sustainable to continue playing the games in Penrith.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

I thoroughly enjoyed that, bring on the other Pac Nations.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

double

 

[Joker's Wild]

lol the crowd have invaded the field and are running amuck.

 

[dangerousdave]

Crowd: 10,143

Good considering the weather. I can't find much about union games played on the islands apart from a Wales - Samoa in front of 7,500 in 1994. Given the costs involved unfortunately you would think that it is most profitable and sustainable to continue playing the games in Penrith.

But if one weekend saw Fiji, PNG, Samoa and Tonga play they could easily host the games in Fiji. PNG could draw a crowd but there's no money there.

Fiji's national stadium can supposedly hold 30k (20 something more likely). It would be a certain sell out and the money could come from the bigger chains of hotels who would doe to have their names become synonomous with a Fijian holiday in front of a live, prime time, aussie audience

 

[franklin2323]

Has that been confirmed anywhere?

Frank Puletua tweeted it. I have no reason to doubt it as it's his project.

Of the teams 4 in Tonga. 5 in Samoa have played for other nations. So it's reasonable in 4 years get these teams sponsors & cut that down & we are getting somewhere.

 

[Patorick]

Heh.

Fairfax and News both using the same AAP report from Adrian Warren:

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...riumph-over-old-adversary-20130420-2i7p2.html

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/tonga-smash-samoa-36-4/story-e6frexnr-1226625137385

Cheap.

 

[Sgt. Kabukiman]

But if one weekend saw Fiji, PNG, Samoa and Tonga play they could easily host the games in Fiji. PNG could draw a crowd but there's no money there.

Fiji's national stadium can supposedly hold 30k (20 something more likely). It would be a certain sell out and the money could come from the bigger chains of hotels who would doe to have their names become synonomous with a Fijian holiday in front of a live, prime time, aussie audience

One of the major reasons this game was played in Penrith is that NRL teams won't let their players leave the country for a Test match. Even the Australia vs NZ games are played in Australia, with the rare exception of the game planned for Christchurch a few years back. It doesn't matter how much money the game could make overseas, all mid-season Tests involving NRL players will be in Australia.

 

[Front-Rower]

One of the major reasons this game was played in Penrith is that NRL teams won't let their players leave the country for a Test match. Even the Australia vs NZ games are played in Australia, with the rare exception of the game planned for Christchurch a few years back. It doesn't matter how much money the game could make overseas, all mid-season Tests involving NRL players will be in Australia.

Last years ANZAC test was in Auckland...

 

[Evil Homer]

This weekend definitely needs to expand to include png v Fiji next year. The Cook Islands can be included somewhere as well, perhaps v the USA.

Fiji, PNG, Cook Islands, Vanuatu and Philippines should all arrange fixtures.

 

[hutch]

One of the major reasons this game was played in Penrith is that NRL teams won't let their players leave the country for a Test match. Even the Australia vs NZ games are played in Australia, with the rare exception of the game planned for Christchurch a few years back. It doesn't matter how much money the game could make overseas, all mid-season Tests involving NRL players will be in Australia.

Both the tigers and souths have released Gareth Ellis and Sam burgess for test matches in England in the past few years mid season. Nrl clubs are obliged to release their players for test matches supposedly!

 

[roughyedspud]

anyone gonna talk about the pitch invasions??

same thing happened when samoa played ireland at parramatta stadium during the world cup,i was at that game and there was a nasty atmosphere towards the end with 'samoan' kids invading the pitch,one took aim at pat richards while he lined up a conversion...also police & stewards got knocked about...i saw a policewoman get knocked to the ground...

maybe next year tonga v samoa should be a stand alone game,with a early kick off and no alcohol sold in the ground and maybe a segregation of fans...