Tuesday, June 5, 2012

TEST MATCH RUGBY: Pacific Nations Cup Day 1

05.06.2012
Tonga v Samoa in Nagoya (Pacific Nations Cup)

Venue: Mizuho Park Rugby Field, Aichi Mizuho

Referee:

Preview
Both Tonga and Samoa come into this competition with enormous reputations.

Tonga caused one of THE major upsets of World Cup rugby history when they defeated France in the final Pool A game last year.

Samoa caused another major upset last year. They defeated Australia in Sydney in July.

Samoa has axed a number of their top players following the World Cup. A new coach has cleaned the cupboard out and it is a very inexperienced side that strides onto the paddock in Nagoya today.

Tonga has kept very much with their World Cup squad and for that reason they will have the advantage of experience.

I will expect both sides to be a bit rusty neither having placed their national side on the field since the World Cup. Tonga’s experience will tell in the end.

Tournament Preview
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3893_7794674,00.html

Last Five Encounters
13.07.2011 Tonga 29-19 in Lautoka (Pacific Nations Cup)
12.06.2010 Samoa 24-23 in Apia (Pacific Nations Cup)
23.06.2009 Samoa 27-13 in Lautoka (Pacific Nations Cup)
26.06.2008 Samoa 20-15 in Nuku’alofa (Pacific Nations Cup)
16.09.2007 Tonga 19-15 in Montpellier (World Cup, Pool A)

Tonga Last Five
01.10.2011 v France W 19-14 in Wellington (World Cup, Pool A)
21.09.2011 v Japan W 31-18 in Whangarei (World Cup, Pool A)
14.09.2011 v Canada L 20-25 in Whangarei (World Cup, Pool A)
09.09.2011 v New Zealand L 10-41 in Auckland (World Cup, Pool A)
19.08.2011 v Fiji W 32-20 in Lautoka (World Cup Warm-up)

Samoa Last Five
30.09.2011 v South Africa L 5-13 in Albany (World Cup, Pool D)
25.09.2011 v Fiji W 27-7 in Auckland (World Cup, Pool D)
18.09.2011 v Wales L 10-17 in Hamilton (World Cup, Pool D)
14.09.2011 v Namibia W 49-12 in Rotorua (World Cup, Pool D)
17.07.2011 v Australia W 32-23 in Sydney

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Tonga 11th, Samoa 12th
Oceania Table-Tonga 3rd, Samoa 4th

IRB Ranking Points
Tonga 76.63, Samoa 75.81

Prediction: Tonga by 7 points

Teams

15[1]

SAMOA

15   Fa’atoina Autagavaia Marist Samoa
14   Kenneth Pisi North Harbour, New Zealand
13   Alvin Tavana Suburbs RFC, Ak, New Zealand
12   Ki Anufe Marist RFC, Ak, New Zealand
11   David Lemi (Capt.) Glasgow Warriors, Scotland
10   Lolo Lui Moata'a
9   Galuefa Falamoe  
8   Benjamin Masoe Papatoetoe RFC, Ak, New Zealand
7   Afa Aiono Leulumoega
6   Daniel Chricton  
5   Maselino Paulino Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
4   Fa’atiga Lemalu Papatoetoe RFC, Ak, New Zealand
3   Logovii Mulipola Leicester Tigers, England
2   Steven Pelesiusi Fualau Canterbury, New Zealand
1   Sakaria Taulafo Wasps, England
       
16   Wayne Ole Avei Bordeaux, France
17   Viliamu Afatia  
18   Misioka Timoteo Vaiala
19   Alafoti Faosiliva Toulon, France
20   Jeremy Sua Tasman, New Zealand
21   Paul Perez Vaigaga
22   Patrick Fa’apale Vaiala
       
    HEAD COACH: Stephan Betham

20[1]

TONGA

15   Viliami Iongi  Llanelly Scarlets, Wales
14   Damien Fakafanua  Parramatta RFC, Sydney, Australia
13   Mafileo Kefu  Dax, France
12   Alipate Fatafehi  Lyon, France
11   Alaska Taufa  Akita, Japan
10   Kurt Morath  Kubota, Japan
9   Taniela Moa (Capt.) Pau, France
8   Paula Kaho  Canberra Vikings RFC, Australia
7   Sione Vaiomounga  Toloa Old Boys
6   Steven Mafi  Leicester Tigers, England
5   Joshua Afu  Carcarsson, France
4   Joseph Tuineau  Montpellier, France
3   Kisi Pulu  Perpignan, France
2   Ilaisa Maasi  Counties Manukau, New Zealand
1   Viliami Pola  South Canterbury, New Zealand
       
16   Tevita Mailau  Auckland, New Zealand
17   Sila Puafisi  Counties Manukau, New Zealand
18   Osaiasi Pepa Kolomatangi  Counties Manukau, New Zealand
19   Vili Fainga’a  Univ. Queensland RFC, Australia
20   Thomas Palu  Municipal Timisovava, Romania
21   Siale Piutau  Otago Highlanders, New Zealand
22   Sefa Vaka  Toyota Shokki, Japan
       
    HEAD COACH: Toutai Kefu (Interim)

No comments:

Post a Comment