Members Section
John Thornett (49)
Paia'aua has also just returned to match fitness after a calf injury, think he was in the squad last year or the year before.
I think Duncan played for Samoa the the Pac cup in july
Paia'aua has also just returned to match fitness after a calf injury, think he was in the squad last year or the year before.
end of this year fairly certain - with Fafita also.London Irish... looking to play for Tonga next year.
This makes me sad.Bledisloe 2 was Marika's last game in gold till next year. So, Wright might get a few more opportunities yet.
If we don't open up overseas selections to open slather, will we risk it with just Bell & Slipper + an Aussie based loosehead for the RWC? Scott Sio has just arrived in Exeter I believe.
So do you think Sio is in that? With those two fit, I don't think so.I'm sure the rules will be "relaxed" for a RWC, but I doubt they'll want to go open slather outside of that window...
At this stage they'll likely want 4-5 overseas picks for next year.
So do you think Sio is in that? With those two fit, I don't think so.
Kerevi, Cooper, Koroibete, Arnold/Skelton, Sio would be the last one picked.
I forgot about Sio actually, but if they only take 5 props he might not make it...
I was thinking Kerevi and Koroibete are locked in...
Quade and Foley if both fit...
And probably Arnold.
So that makes 5 (6 if they want Sio), and I think Skelton is still up in the air.
But I think it's going to be hard to justify selecting either Arnold or Skelton unless they can display some pretty good test form before the RWC.
You blokes of little faith…. it’s a long way off…At this stage I think we’re in danger of not making the quarters based on how we’ve been playing. I know deep down we can beat any side but the total lack of discipline and consistency doesnt fill me with a lot hope.
I like Rennie as a man, and as a coach, and I don't hold him single-handedly responsible for his awful winning record. He has been very unlucky with key injuries and for the most part has preapred a squad where 80% of our RWC squad are locked in, and a nice blend of youth and experience.
With our cushy draw, we could actually find ourselves in a SF almost by default.
With all that said, if we don't win more than 2 games on the Spring Tour, I'd be going chips in on Razor. 5 year contract, 2023-2027. Two world cups, including one at home, and a Lions tour. Spend the Sua'ali'i money on him and open the selections up. Yolo.
I like it simply because we would poach NZs preferred coach. Again.I like this idea.
You blokes of little faith…. it’s a long way off…
I'm not surprised he's been captain, maybe from a leadership and language pov but in terms of leading by example, he's been dominant. I've said it a few times, but it's shocking how brutal of a carrier he's been in a very physical league. The Tahs could've used him in spades this year.Staniforth also captained Castres (Top 14 Champions) for the first time on the weekend. I'd be impressed if he got in Gold but pretty impressive from the bloke. I was surprised he was made captain because I assumed he couldn't speak a lick of french but he's actually got a semi-decent level of it.
more shocking when you consider the criticism of him back here was how ineffective a runner he was.I'm not surprised he's been captain, maybe from a leadership and language pov but in terms of leading by example, he's been dominant. I've said it a few times, but it's shocking how brutal of a carrier he's been in a very physical league. The Tahs could've used him in spades this year.
Amazingly I think he was the top tackler in the whole league last season too.
Its not that surprising that players are able to work on deficiencies in an environment where there are professional opportunities/pathways for coaching. And not just a couple of spots in a handful of teams - it's a whole industry.more shocking when you consider the criticism of him back here was how ineffective a runner he was.