22.11.2008
Pacific Islands v Italy
Preview
This test match looks an interesting contest. These two teams have never met before. Both teams are looking for their first win in the 'Autumn' series.Only occasionally have the Italans played any of the Pacific Island nations.
The Pacific Islanders have looked well short of a gallop in each of their games. They just haven't had the preperation time the other teams have been allowed.
Italy looked the goods against Australia and then dropped the game against Argentina. The size and grunt of their pack should be enough to hold the Islanders but their backs just can't find the gaps
Prediction: Italy by 14
Teams
Italy
15 Andrea Masi
14 Kaine Robertson
13 Mirco Bergamasco
12 Gonzalo Garcia
11 Matteo Pratichetti
10 Andrea Marcato
9 Pietro Travagli
8 Sergio Parisse, Capt.
7 Mauro Bergamasco
6 Joshua Sole
5 Marco Bortolami
4 Tommaso Reato
3 Carlos Nieto
2 Leonardo Ghiraldini
1 Matias Aguero
Replacements
16 Fabio Ongaro
17 Andrea Lo Cicero
18 Salvatore Perugini
19 Alessandro Zanni
20 Pablo Canavosio/Giulio Toniolatti
21 Luke McLean
22 Riccardo Pavan
Head Coach: Nik Mallett
Pacific Islands
15 Kameli Ratuvou
14 Sailosi Tagicakibau
13 Seilala Mapusua
12 Epi Taione
11 Vilimoni Delasau
10 Seremaia Bai
9 Sililo Martens
8 Sisa Koyamaibole
7 Nili Latu, Capt.
6 Viliami Vaki
5 Paino Hehe
4 Filipo Levi
3 Kisi Pulu
2 Tanielu Fuga
1 Justin Va'a
Replacements
16 Sunia Koto
17 Tonga Lea'aetoa
18 Semisi Naevo
19 Hale T-Pole
20 Mosese Rauluni
21 Seru Rabeni
22 Gavin Williams
Head Coach: Quiddus Fielea
Showing posts with label Pacific Islands rugby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pacific Islands rugby. Show all posts
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Rugby Test: South Africa v England
22.11.2008
South Africa v England at Twickenham
Preview
This clash is brewing up into a most interesting encounter. These two teams battled out the final of the 2007 Rugby World Cup and were at the time the giants of world rugby. It would be difficult to tag that label on them at the moment. Both sides has struggled to dominate their opposition so a rematch of the Cup final looms as a titanic struggle with the pressure on both sides to perform.
England were too organised for a Pacific Island team flung together at the last minute but found the Australians too tough last weekend. England is rebuilding their side after the disappointments of the 2007 Rugby World Cup and the 2007-08 6 Nations tournament. Their forwards are certainly lacking the muscle usually associated with an English side whilst the backline is missing the composure of a Johno Wilkinson.
South Africa has experienced the high and lows of test rugby in 2008 but at the tail end of their season they are struggling. South Africa has rarely showed the form this year that won them the 2007 Rugby World Cup. They look a tired bunch only they only just squeeked past Scotland last weekend.
Last Five Encounters
20.10.2007 South Africa 15-6 in Paris (World Cup Final)
04.09.2007 South Africa 36-0 in Paris (World Cup, Pool A)
02.06.2007 South Africa 55-22 in Pretoria
26.05.2007 South Africa 58-10 in Bloemfontein
21.11.2006 South Africa 25-14 at Twickenham
You have to go back seven test matches before you read an England win in the history of clashes between these two nations. That was a close 23-21 win at Twickenham November two years ago.
GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-South Africa 2nd, England 5th.
Prediction: South Africa by 11 points.
Teams
England
15 Delon Armitage
14 Paul Sackey
13 James Noon
12 Riki Flutey
11 Ugo Monye
10 Daniel Cipriani
9 Danny Care
8 Nicholas Easter
7 Thomas Rees
6 James Haskell
5 Thomas Palmer
4 Steven Borthwick, Capt.
3 Phillip Vickery
2 Lee Mears
1 Timothy Payne
Replacements
16 Dylan Hartley
17 Matthew Stevens
18 Simon Shaw
19 Thomas Croft
20 Jordan Crane
21 Harry Ellis
22 Tobias Flood
Head Coach: Martin Johnson
South Africa v England at Twickenham
Preview
This clash is brewing up into a most interesting encounter. These two teams battled out the final of the 2007 Rugby World Cup and were at the time the giants of world rugby. It would be difficult to tag that label on them at the moment. Both sides has struggled to dominate their opposition so a rematch of the Cup final looms as a titanic struggle with the pressure on both sides to perform.
England were too organised for a Pacific Island team flung together at the last minute but found the Australians too tough last weekend. England is rebuilding their side after the disappointments of the 2007 Rugby World Cup and the 2007-08 6 Nations tournament. Their forwards are certainly lacking the muscle usually associated with an English side whilst the backline is missing the composure of a Johno Wilkinson.
South Africa has experienced the high and lows of test rugby in 2008 but at the tail end of their season they are struggling. South Africa has rarely showed the form this year that won them the 2007 Rugby World Cup. They look a tired bunch only they only just squeeked past Scotland last weekend.
Last Five Encounters
20.10.2007 South Africa 15-6 in Paris (World Cup Final)
04.09.2007 South Africa 36-0 in Paris (World Cup, Pool A)
02.06.2007 South Africa 55-22 in Pretoria
26.05.2007 South Africa 58-10 in Bloemfontein
21.11.2006 South Africa 25-14 at Twickenham
You have to go back seven test matches before you read an England win in the history of clashes between these two nations. That was a close 23-21 win at Twickenham November two years ago.
GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-South Africa 2nd, England 5th.
Prediction: South Africa by 11 points.
Teams
England
15 Delon Armitage
14 Paul Sackey
13 James Noon
12 Riki Flutey
11 Ugo Monye
10 Daniel Cipriani
9 Danny Care
8 Nicholas Easter
7 Thomas Rees
6 James Haskell
5 Thomas Palmer
4 Steven Borthwick, Capt.
3 Phillip Vickery
2 Lee Mears
1 Timothy Payne
Replacements
16 Dylan Hartley
17 Matthew Stevens
18 Simon Shaw
19 Thomas Croft
20 Jordan Crane
21 Harry Ellis
22 Tobias Flood
Head Coach: Martin Johnson
South Africa
15 Conrad Jantjes
14 JP Pietersen
13 Adrian Jacobs
12 Jean de Villiers
11 Bryan Habana
10 Ruan Pienaar
9 Ricky Januarie
8 Pierre Spies
7 Danie Rossouw
6 Schalk Burger
5 Victor Matfield
4 Bakkies Botha
3 Jannie du Plessis
2 John Smit, Capt
1 Beast Mtawarira
Replacements
16 Chiliboy Ralepelle
17 Brian Mujati/CJ van der Linde
18 Andries Bekker
19 Ryan Kankowski
20 Heinrich Brussow
21 Francois Steyn
22 Jaque Fourie
Head Coach: Pieter de Villiers
For lists of all international rugby tests played by South Africa, and by England, go to http://www.rugbyinternational.net/
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Test Rugby: Pacific Islands v France
15.11.2008
Pacific Islands v France in Marseilles
GWC Rugby Rankings: Do not apply
Prediction: France by 14 points
Regret time restrictions has meant a limited covereage
Teams as per planet-rugby
France
15 Maxime Médard, 14 Julien Malzieu, 13 Yannick Jauzion, 12 Benoît Baby, 11 Cedric Heymans, 10 David Skrela, 9 Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, 8 Imanol Harnordoquy, 7 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 6 Thierry Dusautoir, 5 Lionel Nallet (c), 4 Romain Millo-Chluski, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Lionel Faure. Replacements:16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Benoît Lecouls, 18 Sébastien Chabal, 19 Louis Picamoles, 20 Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 21 Damien Traille, 22 Alexis Palisson
Pacific Islands
15 Gavin Williams (SAM), 14 Napolioni Nalaga (FIJ), 13 Seru Rabeni (FIJ), 12 Epi Taione (TGA), 11 Vilimoni Delasau (FIJ), 10 Seremaia Bai (FIJ), 9 Mosese Rauluni (FIJ, cap), 8 Nili Latu (TGA), 7 Sisa Koyamaibole (FIJ), 6 Hale T-Pole (TGA), 5 Kele Leawere (FIJ), 4 Paino Hehea (TGA), 3 Kisi Pulu (TGA), 2 Tanielu Fuga (SAM), 1 Kas Lealamanua (SAM). Replacements: 16 Sunia Koto (FIJ), 17 Census Johnston (SAM), 18 Filipo Levi (SAM), 19 Viliami Vaki (TGA), 20 Sililo Martens (TGA), 21 Kameli Ratuvou (FIJ), 22 Seilala Mapusua (SAM)
Pacific Islands v France in Marseilles
GWC Rugby Rankings: Do not apply
Prediction: France by 14 points
Regret time restrictions has meant a limited covereage
Teams as per planet-rugby
France
15 Maxime Médard, 14 Julien Malzieu, 13 Yannick Jauzion, 12 Benoît Baby, 11 Cedric Heymans, 10 David Skrela, 9 Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, 8 Imanol Harnordoquy, 7 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 6 Thierry Dusautoir, 5 Lionel Nallet (c), 4 Romain Millo-Chluski, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Lionel Faure. Replacements:16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Benoît Lecouls, 18 Sébastien Chabal, 19 Louis Picamoles, 20 Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 21 Damien Traille, 22 Alexis Palisson
Pacific Islands
15 Gavin Williams (SAM), 14 Napolioni Nalaga (FIJ), 13 Seru Rabeni (FIJ), 12 Epi Taione (TGA), 11 Vilimoni Delasau (FIJ), 10 Seremaia Bai (FIJ), 9 Mosese Rauluni (FIJ, cap), 8 Nili Latu (TGA), 7 Sisa Koyamaibole (FIJ), 6 Hale T-Pole (TGA), 5 Kele Leawere (FIJ), 4 Paino Hehea (TGA), 3 Kisi Pulu (TGA), 2 Tanielu Fuga (SAM), 1 Kas Lealamanua (SAM). Replacements: 16 Sunia Koto (FIJ), 17 Census Johnston (SAM), 18 Filipo Levi (SAM), 19 Viliami Vaki (TGA), 20 Sililo Martens (TGA), 21 Kameli Ratuvou (FIJ), 22 Seilala Mapusua (SAM)
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Test Rugby: England 39, Pacific Islands 13
I haven't yet seen the game, or any others yet this weekend. But surely the result must be very disappointing for the Islanders. Should the Pacific Island concept be persevered with or should effor go into making Fiji, Samoa and Tonga more competitive in their own rights? After all, these nations individually will contest the Rugby World Cup, not a combined side. Your thoughts?
Saturday, November 8, 2008
International Rugby: England v Pacific Islands
08.11.2008
England v Pacific Islands at Twickenham
Review
The Pacific Island team is made up of international rugby players from the three main Pacific rugby nations; Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. The concept is based upon the British and Irish Lions who tour every four years. The Islanders are all professionals based either in Europe or Japan. That should make them three times stronger than any of the original nations. But the reality is that in the past the Pacific Island team has not, for whatever reason, performed as well as expected. Again, very much like the Lions, on potential the Islanders should be world beaters, but on the paddock rarely so.
Having said that the Island team is full of experience. Most will be familiar with whatever the weather holds for Twickenham and you can be sure the tackles will be hard and England will be a sore bunch of lads at the end of the game. If the Islanders can add to the pressure their tackling can have on the opposition and score points then there is their strength. Up front they will struggle against the England pack.
Its a new look England team. There are four new caps in the starting line up with another waiting on the bench. Under new management, England is a blend of experience and new players. Some the inexperienced are certainly not youthful as England manager Martin Johnson has caste the net to include a few new foreign players. It's all part of the plan to get the England team back to World Cup 2003 standard. He has three years in which to do this.
It should be a close game.
Previous Encounters. This is the first time these two teams have met.
GWC Rugby Rankings-Does not apply
Prediction. Anything could happen. If England keep cool under pressure they should win by 5 points.
Teams
Pacific Islands
15. Kameli Ratuvou (Saracens, Fiji) Age 25, 16 tests (Fiji), 3 (PIR)
14. Sailosi Tagicakibau (London Irish, Samoa) 25, 12, 1
13. Seru Rabeni (Leicester, Fiji) 29, 26, 6
12. Seilala Mapusua (London Irish, Samoa) 26, 6, 4
11. Vilimoni Delasau (Clermont Auvergne, Fiji) 31, 28, 0
10. Pierre Hola ( Kobe Japan, Tonga) 30, 34, 0
9. Mosese Raulini (Saracens, Fiji) 32, 42, 6
8. Finau Maka (Stade Toulousain, Tonga) 30, 4, 0
7. Nili Latu (NEC Japan, Tonga) 26, 17, 3
6. Semisi Naevo (NEC Japan, Fiji) 32, 9, 0
5. Kele Leawere (Hino Motors Japan, Fiji) 34, 23, 0
4. Filipo Levi (Ricoh Japan, Samoa) 28, 8, 2
3. Census Johnston (Saracens, Samoa) 27, 17, 1
2. Aleki Lutui (Worcester, Tonga) 29, 23, 6
1. Justin Va’a (Glasgow, Samoa) 29, 13, 3
Replacements
16. Sunia Koto (London Welsh, Fiji) 28, 22, 0
17. Kisi Pulu (Perpignan, Tonga) 29, 20, 0
18. Hale T Pole (Ospreys, Tonga) 29, 10, 2
19. George Stowers (Kobe Japan, Samoa) 29, 5, 0
20. Sililo Martens (Llanelli Scarlets, Tonga) 31, 27, 0
21. Seremaia Bai (Clermont Auvergne, Fiji) 29, 26, 5
22. Epi Taione (Harlequins, Tonga) 29, 17, 3
Coach: Quiddus Fielea
http://pacificislanders.co.nz/
Martens last played for Tonga v Canada at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. A number of the players have not been available for the Pacific Nations during 2008. Raulini, Taione and Levi were not named in the original squad.
England
15 Delon Armitage (London Irish) Age 24, New Cap
14 Paul Sackey (London Wasps) 29, 15
13 James Noon (Newcastle Falcons) 29, 33
12 Riki Flutey (London Wasps) 28, New Cap
11 Ugo Monye (Harlequins) 25, New Cap
10 Daniel Cipriani (London Wasps) 21, 3
9 Daniel Care (Harlequins) 21, 2
8 Nicholas Easter (Harlequins) 33, 16
7 Thomas Rees (London Wasps) 24, 11
6 Thomas Croft (Leicester Tigers) 22, 4
5 Nicholas Kennedy (London Irish) 27, New Cap
4 Steven Borthwick, Capt. (Bath Rugby) 28, 40
3 Matthew Stevens (Bath Rugby) 26, 28
2 Lee Mears (Bath Rugby) 29, 24
1 Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks) 29, 25
Replacements
16 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) 22, New Cap
17 Phillip Vickery (London Wasps) 32, 64
18 Thomas Palmer (London Wasps) 29, 10
19 James Haskell (London Wasps) 23, 8
20 Michael Lipman (Bath Rugby) 25, 7
21 Harold Ellis (Leicester Tigers) 26, 18
22 Tobias Flood (Newcastle Falcons) 22, 18
Coach: Martin Johnson
New Zealand born Flutey is a former Junior All Black, New Zealand Maori and Wellington Hurricanes Super 14 player who has gained selection after qualifying on residency. Hartley is another born in New Zealand and represented Bay of Plenty at U18’s.
Not considered due to injury-Nik Abendanon, Mathew Tait, George Chuter, Luke Narraway
You can see the full lists of international rugby tests for both the Pacific Islands, the Pacific Nations of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, as well as England at http://www.rugbyinternational.net/
England v Pacific Islands at Twickenham
Review
The Pacific Island team is made up of international rugby players from the three main Pacific rugby nations; Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. The concept is based upon the British and Irish Lions who tour every four years. The Islanders are all professionals based either in Europe or Japan. That should make them three times stronger than any of the original nations. But the reality is that in the past the Pacific Island team has not, for whatever reason, performed as well as expected. Again, very much like the Lions, on potential the Islanders should be world beaters, but on the paddock rarely so.
Having said that the Island team is full of experience. Most will be familiar with whatever the weather holds for Twickenham and you can be sure the tackles will be hard and England will be a sore bunch of lads at the end of the game. If the Islanders can add to the pressure their tackling can have on the opposition and score points then there is their strength. Up front they will struggle against the England pack.
Its a new look England team. There are four new caps in the starting line up with another waiting on the bench. Under new management, England is a blend of experience and new players. Some the inexperienced are certainly not youthful as England manager Martin Johnson has caste the net to include a few new foreign players. It's all part of the plan to get the England team back to World Cup 2003 standard. He has three years in which to do this.
It should be a close game.
Previous Encounters. This is the first time these two teams have met.
GWC Rugby Rankings-Does not apply
Prediction. Anything could happen. If England keep cool under pressure they should win by 5 points.
Teams
Pacific Islands
15. Kameli Ratuvou (Saracens, Fiji) Age 25, 16 tests (Fiji), 3 (PIR)
14. Sailosi Tagicakibau (London Irish, Samoa) 25, 12, 1
13. Seru Rabeni (Leicester, Fiji) 29, 26, 6
12. Seilala Mapusua (London Irish, Samoa) 26, 6, 4
11. Vilimoni Delasau (Clermont Auvergne, Fiji) 31, 28, 0
10. Pierre Hola ( Kobe Japan, Tonga) 30, 34, 0
9. Mosese Raulini (Saracens, Fiji) 32, 42, 6
8. Finau Maka (Stade Toulousain, Tonga) 30, 4, 0
7. Nili Latu (NEC Japan, Tonga) 26, 17, 3
6. Semisi Naevo (NEC Japan, Fiji) 32, 9, 0
5. Kele Leawere (Hino Motors Japan, Fiji) 34, 23, 0
4. Filipo Levi (Ricoh Japan, Samoa) 28, 8, 2
3. Census Johnston (Saracens, Samoa) 27, 17, 1
2. Aleki Lutui (Worcester, Tonga) 29, 23, 6
1. Justin Va’a (Glasgow, Samoa) 29, 13, 3
Replacements
16. Sunia Koto (London Welsh, Fiji) 28, 22, 0
17. Kisi Pulu (Perpignan, Tonga) 29, 20, 0
18. Hale T Pole (Ospreys, Tonga) 29, 10, 2
19. George Stowers (Kobe Japan, Samoa) 29, 5, 0
20. Sililo Martens (Llanelli Scarlets, Tonga) 31, 27, 0
21. Seremaia Bai (Clermont Auvergne, Fiji) 29, 26, 5
22. Epi Taione (Harlequins, Tonga) 29, 17, 3
Coach: Quiddus Fielea
http://pacificislanders.co.nz/
Martens last played for Tonga v Canada at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. A number of the players have not been available for the Pacific Nations during 2008. Raulini, Taione and Levi were not named in the original squad.
England
15 Delon Armitage (London Irish) Age 24, New Cap
14 Paul Sackey (London Wasps) 29, 15
13 James Noon (Newcastle Falcons) 29, 33
12 Riki Flutey (London Wasps) 28, New Cap
11 Ugo Monye (Harlequins) 25, New Cap
10 Daniel Cipriani (London Wasps) 21, 3
9 Daniel Care (Harlequins) 21, 2
8 Nicholas Easter (Harlequins) 33, 16
7 Thomas Rees (London Wasps) 24, 11
6 Thomas Croft (Leicester Tigers) 22, 4
5 Nicholas Kennedy (London Irish) 27, New Cap
4 Steven Borthwick, Capt. (Bath Rugby) 28, 40
3 Matthew Stevens (Bath Rugby) 26, 28
2 Lee Mears (Bath Rugby) 29, 24
1 Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks) 29, 25
Replacements
16 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) 22, New Cap
17 Phillip Vickery (London Wasps) 32, 64
18 Thomas Palmer (London Wasps) 29, 10
19 James Haskell (London Wasps) 23, 8
20 Michael Lipman (Bath Rugby) 25, 7
21 Harold Ellis (Leicester Tigers) 26, 18
22 Tobias Flood (Newcastle Falcons) 22, 18
Coach: Martin Johnson
New Zealand born Flutey is a former Junior All Black, New Zealand Maori and Wellington Hurricanes Super 14 player who has gained selection after qualifying on residency. Hartley is another born in New Zealand and represented Bay of Plenty at U18’s.
Not considered due to injury-Nik Abendanon, Mathew Tait, George Chuter, Luke Narraway
You can see the full lists of international rugby tests for both the Pacific Islands, the Pacific Nations of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, as well as England at http://www.rugbyinternational.net/
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Pacific Islands Rugby Team
The Pacific Island Rugby team will tour Europe for 3 test matches this year.
The team has previously toured in 2004 and 2006. The original coach was Fijian Ilia Tabua but he resigned soon after his appointment for personal reasons. Tongan coach Quiddus Fielea has since been appointed.
Rugby Fixtures 2008
8 Nov. v England at Twickenham
15 Nov. v France in Paris
Nov.22 v Italy in Reggio Emilia
For team details go to http://www.rugbyinternational.net/
The team has previously toured in 2004 and 2006. The original coach was Fijian Ilia Tabua but he resigned soon after his appointment for personal reasons. Tongan coach Quiddus Fielea has since been appointed.
Rugby Fixtures 2008
8 Nov. v England at Twickenham
15 Nov. v France in Paris
Nov.22 v Italy in Reggio Emilia
For team details go to http://www.rugbyinternational.net/
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