Tonga Squad for Italy Test 10th November

Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 13 Sukanaivalu Hufanga, 12 Sione Piukala, 11 Viliami Helu, 10 Fangatapu 'Apikotoa, 9 Taniela Moa (capt), 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Sione Vaiomo'unga, 6 Sitiveni Mafi, 5 Tukulua Lokotui, 4 Joe Tu'ineau, 3 Halani 'Aulika, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Alisona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Ilaisa Ma'asi, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Hale T-Pole, 19 Paula Kaho, 20 Samisoni Fisilau, 21 Alipate Fatafehi, 22 Viliame Iongi, 23 Soane Tonga'uiha.

Thoughts?

Nice to see Steve Mafi getting a start. Interesting that Tiny is on the bench - why he has shirt 23 is unclear.

I am afraid most of the others are new to me - was Iongi at Scarlets last year?

LondonTiger wrote:Nice to see Steve Mafi getting a start. Interesting that Tiny is on the bench - why he has shirt 23 is unclear.

I am afraid most of the others are new to me - was Iongi at Scarlets last year?

You dont reconise taumalolo? Fantastic LH who has a really good try scoring record in super rugby.

I am afraid that with kids to shepherd around etc - something has to give. It is a few years since I last saw a S15 match.

LondonTiger wrote:I am afraid that with kids to shepherd around etc - something has to give. It is a few years since I last saw a S15 match.

TBH I hardly watch it myself, I just know him because he was such a star for the Chiefs.

Well looking at their front row options, to have both Tonga'Uiha and Mailau coming off the bench, shows some real strength.

I'm not sure if Kalamafoni is injured or suspended but if neither, it's a very odd decision to leave him out of the side.

Taumalolo is a brilliant prop, he showed up really well in the wc too. Bit surprised that Tiny is on the no23 shirt, typo maybe? Also surprised his bro isn't in there.

Are the Johnston bro's Samoan then?

yappysnap wrote:Taumalolo is a brilliant prop, he showed up really well in the wc too. Bit surprised that Tiny is on the no23 shirt, typo maybe? Also surprised his bro isn't in there.

Are the Johnston bro's Samoan then?

Ye they are but only one got called up.

Thats the way the French clubs used to do it when 23-man squads came in. They kept number 1-22 the same and the new, extra prop was number 23.

Yeah, JJ is staying at Quins, Census playing for Samoa and Maurie is playing for Samoa too. Samoa's team looks strong. Tonga don't look bad either

It's a shame one of the bigger nations didn't take up a Test with Tonga (no offence to Italy or Scotland intended) as they showed during the World Cup, they can be more than a match, beating France.

LondonTiger wrote:Nice to see Steve Mafi getting a start. Interesting that Tiny is on the bench - why he has shirt 23 is unclear.

I am afraid most of the others are new to me - was Iongi at Scarlets last year?

Yeah he was with us last season, but disappeared over the close season under some iffy circumastances. Seemed to be a bit like David Lemi, very small, slightly stronger than you would thing, but very quick and agile.

I remember many years ago the PI teams were criticised for their lack of ability in the set pieces, scrums....because they all wanted to be backs and wingers etc.

You certainly couldnt say that now...some of those guys can seriously scrummage...and its this shift in mentality that could really see the PI's elevated from enjoyable to watch tier two teams...to serious opposition....

Only Just got to see this game as I had it recorded on sky+.

I have to say I was extremely impressed with the Tongan attack. They really had Italy rattled throughout the match. Tonga could run Scotland close in their match

Leinster...i thought the Scotland game could be an upset...but having seen The Falcons manhandle the Tongan "reserve" team on Tuesday night...including a penatly try from a scrum im not so sure this will happen now...unless theres this highlights that Tonga have a huge issue with Quality in Depth.....

GeordieFalcon wrote:Leinster...i thought the Scotland game could be an upset...but having seen The Falcons manhandle the Tongan "reserve" team on Tuesday night...including a penatly try from a scrum im not so sure this will happen now...unless theres this highlights that Tonga have a huge issue with Quality in Depth.....

Thats why the lost this game. Italy won the battle up front. If Tonga got some sort of parity up front they would won this game with some comfort. Maybe Tonga'uia might be able to help the tongan scrum against the scots. He was on the bench against Italy.

The strange thing is...that Tonga'uia was playing on Tuesday and got handed his a$$ by our TH Hall. Bear in Deano has hammered our scrum so its a very powerful one now...but im just not convinced that they can win now...probably give Scotland a decent game...but win...Nope.

GeordieFalcon wrote:The strange thing is...that Tonga'uia was playing on Tuesday and got handed his a$$ by our TH Hall. Bear in Deano has hammered our scrum so its a serious prospect now...but im just not convinced that they can win now...probably give Scotland a decent game...but win...Nope.

It will take a great performance from Tonga. Their backplay is really good so you never know.

Its funny the two games Im most looking forward to is Wales v Samoa and Scotland v Tonga

Yeah i know what you mean...the crazy fearless underdogs against the established hierachy....

I think most of us enjoy watching the P.Islanders play mate...something about their enthusiam and power...etc and we all like an upset...as long as its not against our team