Tonga v Samoa @ Gold Coast

[ozbash]

Warriors fullback Tuimoala Lolohea is set for his first taste of international football after being named to play for Tonga in next week's Test against Samoa on the Gold Coast.

The 20-year-old flyer has been named alongside Warriors team-mates Solomone Kata and Konrad Hurrell in a powerful starting XIII while prop Albert Vete has been named at 18th man.

Former Warrior Siosiua Taukeiaho has been named in the back row where he is joined by former Auckland Vulcans hard man Manu Ma'u.


Tonga: 1. Tuimoala Lolohea, 2. Sosaia Feki, 3. Solomone Kata, 4. Konrad Hurrell, 5. Mahe Fonua, 6. Samisoni Langi, 7. Joel Luani, 8. Richie Fa'aoso, 9. Pat Politoni, 10. Peni Terepo, 11. Sika Manu (c), 12. Manu Ma'u, 13. Siosiua Taukeiaho.

Interchange: 14. Anthony Tupou, 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 16. Felise Kaufusi, 17 tbc

http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-league-news/rising-warriors-stars-named-tonga-6300906

 

[ozbash]

Coach Matt Parish has announced the following 18 men ahead of the clash at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday May 2.
Toa Samoa 2015 Pacific Test
Leeson Ah Mau – St George Illawarra Dragons
John Asiata – North Queensland Cowboys
Sam Kasiano – Canterbury Bulldogs
Joseph Leilua – Newcastle Knights
Ricky Leutele – Cronulla Sharks
Sam Lisone – NZ Warriors
Isaac Liu – Sydney Roosters
Dunamis Lui – Manly Sea Eagles
Alapati Mata’utia – Newcastle Knights
Josh McGuire – Brisbane Broncos
Tautau Moga – North Queensland Cowboys
Dominique Peyroux – NZ Warriors
Frank Pritchard – Canterbury Bulldogs
Tim Simona – Wests Tigers
Michael Sio – Mackay Cutters
Sauaso Sue – Wests Tigers
Carlos Tuimavave – Newcastle Knights
Daniel Vidot – Brisbane Broncos
Coach: Matt Parish

 

[ozbash]

Fiji Bati announced 18 players to play against Papua New Guinea next Saturday May 2 at CBUS Super Stadium at Robina.

Head Coach Rick Stone has assembled a great team mixing young talent and plenty of experience.

“The squad also includes three local Fijian players who will take enormous benefits from the week in camp, especially 19-year-old Tikio Noke, who has been selected again after being part of our World Cup squad in 2013.”

1 Kevin Naiqama Wests Tigers
2 Marika Koroibete Melbourne Storm
3 Fabian Goodall Wentworthville
4 Brayden Wiliame Manly Sea Eagles
5 Eto Nabuli St George Illawarra Dragons
6 Darryl Millard South Sydney Rabbitohs
7 Ryan Millard Brisbane Norths
8 Eloni Vunakece Wyong Roos
9 Apisai Koroisau Penrith Panthers
10 Daniel Saifiti Newcastle Knights
11 Jason Bukuya Cronulla Sharks
12 Jacob Saifiti Newcastle Knights
13 Korbin. Sims Newcastle Knights
14 Tyrone Phillips Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
15 Viliame Kikau North Queensland Cowboys
16 Tikio Koke Fiji
17 Osea Sadrau Fiji
18 Timoci Ratulolo Dabea Fiji

 

[ozbash]

PNG coach Mal Meninga has named a 19-man squad ahead of the Test match against Fiji on Saturday at Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium.

Stanton Albert Penrith Panthers
Wellington Albert Penrith Panthers
Ase Boas SP PNG Hunters
Josh Damen Souths Logan Magpies
Israel Eliab SP PNG Hunters
Adam Korave SP PNG Hunters
Nene Macdonald Sydney Roosters
Rhyse Martin Townsville Blackhawks
Tyson Martin Mackay Cutters
Willie Minoga SP PNG Hunters
Kato Ottio SP PNG Hunters
Luke Page Canberra Raiders
Brandy Peter SP PNG Hunters
Wartovo Puara SP PNG Hunters
Esau Siune SP PNG Hunters
Thompson Teteh SP PNG Hunters
Ray Thompson North Queensland Cowboys
Lawrence Tu’u SP PNG Hunters
Noel Zeming SP PNG Hunters

 

[Blair]

Apart from Manoa Thompson, way back, have we ever had another Fijian at the Warriors? They look the goods, especially the outside backs in the NRL.

Also, do the Warriors have significantly more players of Tongan heritage as opposed to Samoan? And there aren't many NZ Maori at the Warriors, why not?

 

[shinobi]

Apart from Manoa Thompson, way back, have we ever had another Fijian at the Warriors? They look the goods, especially the outside backs in the NRL.

Also, do the Warriors have significantly more players of Tongan heritage as opposed to Samoan? And there aren't many NZ Maori at the Warriors, why not?

The Maoris go play for the Storm...

 

[Matua]

The Maoris go play for the Storm...

Or they're the ones the Warriors don't try to hold on to - Taylor, Locke .... damn I can't think of any more.

 

[WithTheDawn]

Wow, that is a mean team for Tonga. Going to have to cheer for them on the back of more Warriors players alone . No injuries please...

 

[Blair]

Pacific rugby league has come along way! Thirty five years ago Olsen Filipaina was the first Polynesian in the NSWRL (now the NRL), and had to battle hard to gain acceptance let alone respect.

Now we have a Pacific double-header on the Gold Coast, with a live broadcast from the ABC of Tonga v Samoa, and commentators gushing over the national anthems, the 'hakas', all the 'colour and excitement', and two teams 'full of NRL players and stars'.

The world has changed for the better!

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/apr/30/the-forgotten-story-of-olsen-filipaina

 

[jamaman]

Kata is looking good! bad luck miss of a try

 

[MKEB...]

That wasnt a bad game at all.

 

[Matua]

Pacific rugby league has come along way! Thirty five years ago Olsen Filipaina was the first Polynesian in the NSWRL (now the NRL), and had to battle hard to gain acceptance let alone respect.

Now we have a Pacific double-header on the Gold Coast, with a live broadcast from the ABC of Tonga v Samoa, and commentators gushing over the national anthems, the 'hakas', all the 'colour and excitement', and two teams 'full of NRL players and stars'.

The world has changed for the better!

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/apr/30/the-forgotten-story-of-olsen-filipaina

Firstly, that was an awesome game of league last night. Great fun.

Nice story on Filipaina - but he wasn't the first Polynesian in the NSWRL. Henry Tatana was playing since the early 70s, and the Sorensen's had been over for a few years before Olsen arrived. Plus, Ted Goodwin was running around at that time as well. I'm sure that various other Polynesian players had a run in the early days of league too (maybe some of the All Golds even?) Ok, pedantry over.

 

[Blair]

Firstly, that was an awesome game of league last night. Great fun.

Nice story on Filipaina - but he wasn't the first Polynesian in the NSWRL. Henry Tatana was playing since the early 70s, and the Sorensen's had been over for a few years before Olsen arrived. Plus, Ted Goodwin was running around at that time as well. I'm sure that various other Polynesian players had a run in the early days of league too (maybe some of the All Golds even?) Ok, pedantry over.

Good call. I think Olly had the most trouble in the early days, for whatever reason. He may have been the first to talk about it. They may not have liked his aggressive, direct, hard-running style.

 

[Blair]

That wasnt a bad game at all.

I doubt even Manu would have gotten through that 'roadblock' tackle at the end. But you never know, Manu isn't your average winger.

 

[isaiah]

Who did peyroux play for on this day? He was excellent.

 

[ozbash]

Dom played for Samoa.