Fiji v Tonga- Teams

How are Fiji doing in terms of getting all their players together from clubs and so on?

There are a few of their bigger names there I see but it's fairly weakened no?

When is the Tonga side announced?

Got it. Will edit it into the original article.

For Fiji, Jone Qovu, Josh Matavesi, Sereli Naqelevuki and Caucau have turned down call ups. Jerry Yanyunatawa, a prop for the Brumbies also turned down the opportunity and Henry Speight.

Ah, the Connacht man will join up with them after the World Cup. I'll be interested to see how he goes for them. Is Iongi the fullback the guy who was in such good form during the Churchill Cup on the wing?

MBTGOG wrote:For Fiji, Jone Qovu, Josh Matavesi, Sereli Naqelevuki and Caucau have turned down call ups. Jerry Yanyunatawa, a prop for the Brumbies also turned down the opportunity and Henry Speight.

That is a shame. Surprised no Nagusa, after a pretty decent season with Montpellier. I was hoping he'd make the grade for them.

MBTGOG wrote:For Fiji, Jone Qovu, Josh Matavesi, Sereli Naqelevuki and Caucau have turned down call ups. Jerry Yanyunatawa, a prop for the Brumbies also turned down the opportunity and Henry Speight.

That's really sad to read. Fiji would be a really tough proposition if they could get everyone to accept call ups.

MBTGOG wrote:For Fiji, Jone Qovu, Josh Matavesi, Sereli Naqelevuki and Caucau have turned down call ups. Jerry Yanyunatawa, a prop for the Brumbies also turned down the opportunity and Henry Speight.

Turned down the opportunity? Why?

Are the Army/Navy linked guys playing? My knowledge of Fijian rugby is limited so I don't know who the forces linked players are.

Notch wrote:

MBTGOG wrote:For Fiji, Jone Qovu, Josh Matavesi, Sereli Naqelevuki and Caucau have turned down call ups. Jerry Yanyunatawa, a prop for the Brumbies also turned down the opportunity and Henry Speight.

That is a shame. Surprised no Nagusa, after a pretty decent season with Montpellier. I was hoping he'd make the grade for them.

Still in the reckoning Notch, just not in this squad. They still have to shave 5 from their squad for the world cup. Back three is a very competitive area even without the players who pulled out.

True that. They've never struggled for wingers! And I think Goneva certainly did a lot better for them when I watched them earlier in the summer.

screamingaddabs wrote:

MBTGOG wrote:For Fiji, Jone Qovu, Josh Matavesi, Sereli Naqelevuki and Caucau have turned down call ups. Jerry Yanyunatawa, a prop for the Brumbies also turned down the opportunity and Henry Speight.

Turned down the opportunity? Why?

Are the Army/Navy linked guys playing? My knowledge of Fijian rugby is limited so I don't know who the forces linked players are.

Matavesi said to focus on his club career, Qovu has a child on the way. I'm guessing the ARU had a say in why Yanyunatawa and Speight didn't accept the call up.

The Tongan team is very interesting. Fisilau is a scrum half by trade but it seems that with little depth behind Morath, Maka is looking for possible back ups.

Iongi has stormed into the reckoning and given their options on the wing, full back could be the position he has during the World Cup.

To me, one of those reasons is acceptable (new kid is obviously the most important thing in a father's life). "Focus on his club career"? Over playing in a world cup? I realise for some players this is the most they will ever expect to get paid and careers are short but I find it astounding anyone would give up the chance to play in a world cup.

It's also disappointing the ARU won't release players. Their club season is over now isn't it? Are the Aussies hoping to convince them to play for Australia?

It's also disappointing the ARU won't release players.

They might make it unofficially known that contracts will only be handed out to non-international players. Which is highly unethical and I don't see why they would need to. The next Super 15 is someway off. No Union or club can withold a player from internationall duty during an international window.

They do incentivise players to stay with their club. It's not an issue with big test nations, but when your alternative is to go back to a relatively poor country like Fiji if your contract overseas isn't renewed its a difficult choice.

They want to make a good life for themselves and provide for their families. Getting a good waged job playing rugby in Australia, France or England can provide your family with opportunities they wouldn't have at home.

So nearly blackmail. And not an easy problem for the IRB to solve, even if the will is there. I'm not sure it is.

Munsty

My knowledge of some of these players is not great, but I presume from looking at the teams that Fiji will start as favourites in this one?

Maybe Pete, but there last meeting did end up in a 45-21 loss for Fiji. It depends on how the halves work for Tonga for me personally.

Is Campese Maafu the one whose brother plays for Australia? I'm sure I saw them pack down against each other last summer or am dreaming that???

LDCPete wrote:Is Campese Maafu the one whose brother plays for Australia? I'm sure I saw them pack down against each other last summer or am dreaming that???

That's right. Really interesting watching that. Must have been a proud mum in the crowd somewhere.

I do think Tonga will dominate the scrum in this match though.

For all the fuss made about Fiji players not going to the world cup, the ones who aren't going are easily replaceable. Personally I think it's an issue with Fiji itself, because Tonga and Samoa aren't having these issues.
You can say what you want about Caucau but he was tricked into playing for Fiji so to say he's Fijian is unfair really.

AlynDavies wrote:For all the fuss made about Fiji players not going to the world cup, the ones who aren't going are easily replaceable. Personally I think it's an issue with Fiji itself, because Tonga and Samoa aren't having these issues.
You can say what you want about Caucau but he was tricked into playing for Fiji so to say he's Fijian is unfair really.

Are you mistaking Caucau for Nacewa? Caucau is certainly Fijian. Grew up there and moved to New Zealand to play I think when he was around 20 or so, so he's definitely Fijian.

When was Caucau tricked into playing for Fiji? I know that Nacewa has said that he was, but hadn't heard that Caucau was as well.

Looking at Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup and especially against New Zealand, I wouldn't be very happy to be a Fiji fan right now. Their confidence looks shot to pieces, and their set piece abysmal.
They look a poor side at the moment.

I know people might not agree with me but I thought Fiji showed a lot of promise against New Zealand and showed in that game they could still be pushing for that second spot in Group D. They let in some easy scores but who doesn't in New Zealand.

The match schedule suits them in the World Cup as they have always been a team that have taken their time to build up momentum. With Namibia up first, even struggling, you'd still think they'd win that game. South Africa next, they are unlikely to win but it's a game where they can build towards the next one, which is the big one against Samoa, then it's Wales last.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_7098060,00.html

Fiji 27-12 Tonga

Villiami Iongi got both of Tongas tries in defeat. He is on fire at the moment! I really hope he's one of those unheralded players who flies under the radar and lights up the World Cup group stages- the way Ngwenya made a name for himself for the USA when he finished off that great try against the Boks etc.

He's a very exciting player alright. Could be quite sought after post World Cup.

Good win for Fiji.