Rugby League - Kiwis

@mariner4life said in Rugby League - Kiwis:

Jack Howarth is an australian born in Mackay who played for the Australian schoolboys.

Why would you want him to play for NZ? Why would he want to? As something to do while he waits for a possible Origin call up? You want the kiwis to be sloppy seconds?

Luai is an Australian born in Sydney who has played for everybody at some stage.

Why do Samoan's want him to play for Samoa?

Aus born NZers can be as committed to NZ as Aus born Samoans (on NZ born Samoans) are to Samoa. They don't have some magical mystical culture that makes them more "Samoan".

If Howarth wants to play for NZ then why would I not want him to?

I don't think anyone had a problem with the Oz born and raised TKB playing for NZ.

@Nepia said in Rugby League - Kiwis:

If Howarth wants to play for NZ then why would I not want him to?

does he? if he does want to play then they will pick him and this is a pointless argument.

The flip side of your other comment, is just because your dad is from NZ doesn't mean you have any commitment to the country at all.

@mariner4life said in Rugby League - Kiwis:

@Nepia said in Rugby League - Kiwis:

If Howarth wants to play for NZ then why would I not want him to?

does he? if he does want to play then they will pick him and this is a pointless argument.

The flip side of your other comment, is just because your dad is from NZ doesn't mean you have any commitment to the country at all.

It's not about Howarth. A guy in his position does not have the choice yet Luai does. All I want is the same choice for everyone. I also said "if" in relation to Howarth, I don't know him he's just an example of someone who doesn't have that choice. Ponga could have been a different example.

If someone has no commitment to NZ then I don't care. We're not discussing them anyway.

The thing is a number of these guys have played for either the Juniour Kiwis or New Zealand A.

https://www.zerotackle.com/pacific-championships-panther-in-line-to-be-selected-for-kiwis-214655/ Here is a potential squad. Will need to cross out NAS unfourtunately. Trent Toleau is an up and coming half who is earmarked to takeover from Luai, also named in the Grand final team. I counted around ten Kiwis in both squads for this weeks final.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby-league/nrl/nrl-grand-final-will-warbricks-journey-from-all-blacks-sevens-to-one-of-the-nrls-best-wingers/MSKWNTYRZFBWDOPASPXYVBT63I/ Really excited about Warbrick debuting for the Kiwis. We have lost a few of the Cronulla guys for this year unfortunately, Nikora, Mulitalo not playing, neither is Iro, who was in really good form. On the plus side there are possibly 8 or 9 Kiwis in the Grand final, could be one or two surprise selections.

Lol at one of thr NRLs best wingers

He's nit even the best at his own club.

He's perfectly serviceable, and would be a huge upgrade on anyone at the warriors, but let's not get carried away

Not getting a lot of news on the Kiwis. It seems Kini could get a go. Hopefully we can get a few of the Raiders onboard, like Weekes. Not expecting us to win this series, if we can at least be respectable and blood some newbies that would be great. Can't say I am happy with Stacey Jones as coach.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/other/what-time-is-nrl-grand-final-melbourne-storm-vs-penrith-panthers-live-stream-tv-channel-for-title-match/ar-AA1rJIdY?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=a604fafccdde479392baee8e6c60341e&ei=13 If all goes to plan there are about 10 in the GF who could potentially play for the Kiwis.

Of the Grand finalists we pretty much have the Panthers locked in and that includes newbie Trent Toelea who was on the extended bench, Howarth has pledged that he wants to play Origin. In the Storm Warbrick and Hughes are certainties, fingers crossed Hughes has pulled up ok. There are a few in the Storm who we could get on baard with a bit of luck like Alec Macdonald, Blore and Chan. We could make a play for Katoa. I am hopeful we can get a few of the young Raiders on board.

@SBW1 said in Rugby League - Kiwis:

We could make a play for Katoa

Is he eligible? What's the residency requirement? He only came to NZ late high school IIRC and left when he was 22 - does that count?

Would be funny if we poached an actual Tongan after they poached all our NZ Tongans.

After Warbrick's effort last night now sure if I want him in the Kiwis. We might as well select DWZ if we want wingers coming off their wing and leaving huge openings.

Not sure the Aussies will have their best team either. Saw in a forum recently saying it could be NZC team v Aussie E team. Not a lot of info on this tournament.

@Nepia said in Rugby League - Kiwis:

@SBW1 said in Rugby League - Kiwis:

We could make a play for Katoa

Is he eligible? What's the residency requirement? He only came to NZ late high school IIRC and left when he was 22 - does that count?

Would be funny if we poached an actual Tongan after they poached all our NZ Tongans.

After Warbrick's effort last night now sure if I want him in the Kiwis. We might as well select DWZ if we want wingers coming off their wing and leaving huge openings.

Warbrick is probably a better athlete than he is a footballer at this point in time if that makes sense . Big , strong, fast with a good leap. I think he’s still a bit raw .

But he is in a good place with Bellamy coaching him , he has been manufacturing nobodies into pretty good centres /wingers for years now , but yeah warbrick at this stage of his career can have a few rocks diamonds type games, nz league media might be getting a little carried away.

Interesting stat from an article about the number of injured unavailable Kiwis from the Final
"After 35 minutes of the first half the Channel 9 statistics team revealed the ball had been in play for more than 33 minutes, a ridiculous ratio for a collision sport."
Whoa

Hmmm interesting that on FB the Warriors are congratulating CNK and Niukore on Kiwis selection…. But can’t see a squad on the Kiwis page yet.

Sharpen up.

The Kiwis’ Pacific Championship squad is:
Erin Clark, Phoenix Crossland, James Fisher-Harris (capt), Peta Hiku, Jahrome Hughes, Jamayne Isaako, Keano Kini, Casey McLean, Griffin Neame, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Kodi Nikorima, Marata Niukore, Isaiah Papali’i, Jordan Riki, Scott Sorensen, Joseph Tapine, Leo Thompson, Matt Timoko, Trent Toelau, Will Warbrick, Naufahu Whyte.

Interesting the number of Kiwis pledging to play Origin is only getting bigger. Origin will be stacked with Kiwis the way it is going. The Maroons are going that way as it is. Can't see Leota in the squad.

fucking scraping the barrel here aren't we?

Peta Hiku? Was cooked 12 months ago when every Cowboys supporter celebrated his departure.
More than one fringe first grader
Griffin Neame has had a terrible season.
Oh and a dude who is Cheese's coke mate.

We're going to get pounded.

https://www.zerotackle.com/tonga-squad-confirmed-for-2024-pacific-championships-214942/ Tonga have named a pretty descent squad. They start the tournament against Oz.

Wow thats an ordinary squad. Surely CNK plays centre?
Warriors supporters get to have a better look at Erin Clarke, who only probably made this squad because of that announcement.

@SBW1 said in Rugby League - Kiwis:

Interesting the number of Kiwis pledging to play Origin is only getting bigger. Origin will be stacked with Kiwis the way it is going. The Maroons are going that way as it is. Can't see Leota in the squad.

When's the Samoan team named? I'll be pissed off if he's defected.

What's Toelau's background? He was born in Oz right?

This Championship is essentially a who's left over for each of the three squads.

@mariner4life said in Rugby League - Kiwis:

fucking scraping the barrel here aren't we?

Peta Hiku? Was cooked 12 months ago when every Cowboys supporter celebrated his departure.
More than one fringe first grader
Griffin Neame has had a terrible season.
Oh and a dude who is Cheese's coke mate.

We're going to get pounded.

You said that last year to. I'm slightly more confident now.

Leota is injured. Peter Hiku has gone quite well for the Kiwis in the past, he was part of the Stephen Kearney era in which we were very good. Not sure of his form in the UK. This should really be a Four team tournament. I do however expect the Aussies to dominate early and hopefully we can play ourselves into some form against Tonga. A few Kiwis with points to prove, like Riki who is from a gun team which has been underperforming. Hopefully at the very least we are competitive and build some depth for the future. Origin has cancelled out a number of options for us, hopefully we have picked up some good young guns from the Panthers to counter that. Samoa are playing the Poms this year.

https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/new-zealand-kiwis-squad-pacific-championships-2024/ebae61012a68f21eb46a9d0f#:~:text=Keano Kini has been rewarded for his sparkling,Will Warbrick and Naufahu Whyte named alongside Kini.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/other/kangaroos-suffer-brutal-injury-blow-as-panthers-star-reportedly-ruled-out/ar-AA1rVnUu?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=b21fc0cb7f3146bca3eec28705554e4b&ei=13 Liam Martin ruled out.

Samoan team is weak despite the fluffing headline:

Anthony Milford (Dolphins)
Blaize Talagi (Penrith Panthers)
Deine Mariner (Brisbane Broncos)
Francis Molo (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Gordon Chan Kum Tong (Manly Sea Eagles)
Izack Tago (Penrith Panthers)
Jake Tago (Parramatta Eels)
Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers)
Jazz Tevaga (Manly Sea Eagles)
Jeral Skelton (Wests Tigers)
Jeremiah Nanai (North Queensland Cowboys)
John Asiata (Leigh Leopards)
Josiah Pahulu (Gold Coast Titans)
Junior Pauga (Sydney Roosters)
Keenan Palasia (Leeds Rhinos)
Lazarus Vaalepu (Melbourne Storm)
Luciano Leilua (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Paul Roache (Warriors)
Ricky Leutele (Leigh Leopards)
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)
Shawn Blore (Melbourne Storm)
Simi Sasagi (Canberra Raiders)
Terrell May (Sydney Roosters)

that's a real mix of the very good and the very average

Jerome Hughes has withdrawn from the Pacific Championships, looks like we need another halfback.

@SBW1 said in Rugby League - Kiwis:

Jerome Hughes has withdrawn from the Pacific Championships, looks like we need another halfback.

Well, we're fucked now.

lol ok. are we getting 2023 SJ or 2024 SJ?

Just realised Te Marie Martin isn’t in the team.

Why the fuck not, he was great for the Warriors this year.

I obviously don’t watch enough league, as the only halves I recognise from that list are Nikorima and SJ now that Hughes has been scratched.

@Gunner said in Rugby League - Kiwis:

Just realised Te Marie Martin isn’t in the team.

Why the fuck not, he was great for the Warriors this year.

I obviously don’t watch enough league, as the only halves I recognise from that list are Nikorima and SJ now that Hughes has been scratched.

He's injured.

Still have a feeling this squad is not finalised yet, and we may even bring in someone from the Wahs.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/afl/hiku-facing-pacific-champs-ban-over-bizarre-charge/ar-AA1sgxUB?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=f600d4eb5f4c45b7b31517ffd9cb8155&ei=53 Which confirms my last post.