Saturday, November 28, 2009

Rugby Match: Tongans in Historic Visit to Lisbon

28.11.2009
Tonga v Portugal in Lisbon

Venue: Estádio Universitário de Lisboa

Referee:

Preview
At other times or occasions,at a World Cup for example, this match may be regarded as a miss match. At the 2007 Rugby World Cup, that Tongan side would have ripped Portugal in half. But this Tongan side is nowhere near as strong. The Tongan's have struggled against 'B' international sides whose 'A' sides, at the 2007 Rugby World Cup for example, would have struggled against them. The situation warrants an investigation into why teams like Fiji, Tonga and Samoa find themselves below strength during the so-called 'November Window' of international rugby. However, under these circumstances, this looks to be an even contest.

Portugal are without two of their France-based players. I'm not sure whether they are injured or have been requested by their clubs. Perhaps Portugal not as strong as v Argentina 'A' second test last weekend.

Last night Ireland 'A' defeated Argentina Jaguars 31-0, whilst Tonga lost to Ireland 'A' 19-48. Last weekend Portugal lost 14-23 to the Jaguars On that basis Tonga would be ahead. Wonder how the Portuguese backline takes those typical Tongan cruch tackles?

This is the first time these two teams have met.

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Tonga 14th, Portugal 19th

Prediction: Tonga by 9 points.

Teams

33[1]

Portugal
Eduardo Acosta (GD Direito) Age 31, 11 tests
António Aguilar (GD Direito) 31, 52
Aurelien Beco (Limoges, France) 23, 1
Pedro Cabral (CD University Lisboa) 26, 23
João Correia, Capt. (GD Direito) 28, 47
Gonçalo Foro (CD University Lisboa) 27, 18
Tiago Girão (CD University Lisboa) 24, 21
João Junior (CD University Lisboa) 23, 7
Pedro Leal (GD Direito) 25, 35
David Mateus (OS Belenenses) 29, 33
Diogo Mateus (OS Belenenses) 29, 66
Juan Murre (Auch, France) 29, 17
Salvador Palha (GD Direito) 25, 12
Duarte Cardoso Pinto (AEIS Agronomia) 27, 42
Miguel Portela (GD Direito) 35, 58
Emmanuel Rebelo (Dijon, France) 28, 1
Jorge Segurado (GD Direito) 25, 7
Francisco Serra (Académica) 23, 2
Juan Severino (AEIS Agronomia) 27, 25
Pedro Silva (OS Belenenses) 24, 9
Nuno Taful (GD Direito) 23, 3
Gonçalo Uva (GD Direito) 24, 42
Vasco Uva (GD Direito) 26, 57
Head Coach: Tomaz Morais

http://www.fpr.pt/noticias/noticia.asp?opm=25&id=7737&id2=25

From v Argentina 'A', 2nd test
In-Taful, Aguilar
Out-Da Costa, das Reis (both with French clubs)

20[1]

Tonga
Team not yet available

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1 comment:

  1. AnonymousNovember 30, 2009 at 6:20 AM

    Tonga,down 19-8 at halftime,were inspired by the introduction of flyhalf Kurt Morath at the start of the second half.Morath was instrumental in engineering a try in the corner which he converted superbly.He kicked 3 long range penalties and controlled field position brilliantly to keep Portugal from adding to their score.A class act.

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