Saturday, June 23, 2012

TONGA AND FIJI CLASH IN LAUTOKA

23.06.2012
Tonga v Fiji in Lautoka (Pacific Nations Cup)

Venue: Churchill Park

Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)

Preview
These two island teams have battled it out on the rugby field many times in the past. They first played a test in 1924. Legend tells us they played on a paddock with a tree in the middle!

The significance of this match is not the Pacific Nations Cup (already won by Samoa) but in the pride of the islands.

Fiji is in a rebuilding stage. Following the disappointing showing of its Rugby World Cup squad, Fiji is building a new team. They started their 2012 Pacific Nation’s Cup campaign with a win over Japan but lost to eventual Cup winners Samoa a week later. Last weekend they lost to Scotland. This weekend they are fielding a less experienced side.No matter. The pressure is on. A home crowd won’t be happy with another loss.

Tonga has not had the hard encounter of a game against a team like Scotland. They come from a narrow win over Japan and a loss to Samoa. They have decided to field an experienced side and I fell this will go in their favour

I expect a very close game.

cibi    sibu-tau-war-dance
Whichever side you support each island team will perform their pre-match war dance and then it will be all on. Game time.

Last Five Encounters
19.08.2011 Tonga 32-20 in Lautoka (World Cup Warm-up)
13.08.2011 Fiji 27-12 in Lautoka (World Cup Warm-up)
02.07.2011 Tonga 45-21 in Lautoka (Pacific Nations Cup)
19.06.2010 Fiji 48-31 in Apia (Pacific Nations Cup)
13.06.2009 Fiji 36-22 in Nuku’alofa (Pacific Nations Cup)

Fiji Last Five
16.06.2012 v Scotland L 25-37 in Suva
10.06.2012 v Samoa L 26-29 in Tokyo (Pacific Nations Cup)
05.06.2012 v Japan W 25-19 in Nagoya (Pacific Nations Cup)
02.10.2011 v Wales L 0-66 in Hamilton (World Cup, Pool D)
25.09.2011 v Samoa L 7-27 in Auckland (World Cup, Pool D)

Tonga Last Five

10.06.2012 v Japan W 24-20 in Tokyo (Pacific Nations Cup)
05.06.2012 v Samoa L 18-20 in Nagoya (Pacific Nations Cup)
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)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Tonga 12th, Fiji 13th
Oceania Table: Fiji 4th, Tonga 5th

IRB Ranking Points
Tonga 76.19, Fiji 69.21

Prediction: Experience will tell. Tonga by 10 points

Teams

20[1]

TONGA

15   Viliami Iongi  Llanelly Scarlets, Wales
14   Siale Piutau  Otago Highlanders, New Zealand
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   Joseph Tuineau  Montpellier, France
4   Joshua Afu  Carcarsson, France
3   Kisi Pulu  Perpignan, France
2   Ilaisa Maasi  Counties Manukau, New Zealand
1   ‘Ofa Fainga’anuku  E.Suburbs RFC, Sydney, Aus.
       
16   Viliami Pola  South Canterbury, New Zealand
17   Sila Puafisi  Counties Manukau, New Zealand
18   Tukulua Lokotui Kintetsu Liners, Japan
19   Vili Fainga'a Univ.Queensland RFC, Australia
20   Thomas Palu  Municipal Timisovava, Romania
21   Sefa Vaka  Toyota Shokki, Japan
22   Edmond Paea  E Suburbs RFC, Sydney, Australia
       
    HEAD COACH: Toutai Kefu (Interim)

30[1]

FIJI

15   Metuisela Talebua  Lautoka
14   Isimeli Koniferedi  Nadroga
13   Vereniki Goneva  Tarbes, France
12   Isake Katoniabu  Tailevu
11   Watisoni Votu  Lautoka
10   Jonetai Ralulu Nadroga
9   Nikola Matawalu Suva
8   Kelepi Ketedromo  Nadi
7   Malakai Volau  Suva
6   Josefa Domolailai  Pau, France
5   Leone Nakarawa  Tailevu
4   Apisai Naikatini  Toyota Verblitz, Japan
3   Setefano Somoca  Nadroga
2   Seremaia Naureure  Nadroga
1   Graham Dewes Counties Manukau, New Zealand
       
16   Tuapati Talemaitoga  Southland, New Zealand
17   Jeremaia Yanuyanutawa  ACT Brumbies, Australia
18   Iliesa Ratuva  Nadroga
19   Apakuki Vuaviri  Lautoka
20   Kelemedi Bola  Lautoka
21   Benedito Koroi  Lautoka
22   Maikeli Mocetadra  Suva
       
    HEAD COACH: Inoke Mali

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