RugbyRebels

https://www.planetrugby.com/news/two-su ... p-warm-ups

As if Pool B wasn't daunting enough, containing South Africa, Scotland, and Ireland, this looks to be the best Tonga squad I've ever seen. Some big returning talent: Charles Piutau, Folau, Pulu, Fekitoa, Moala, Fifita, Coleman, Ahki, Timani...

They've gone very tight on numbers very early as well - just a 35 man training squad to be narrowed down to 33 - like Japan and Uruguay did before their RWC shocks. They'll certainly not be someone the others can take lightly.

Poor Romania though...

Puja

It’s pretty terrifying as a Scotland fan, but all I can hope for is they can put a real dent in Ireland or SA.

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Wed Jun 14, 2023 1:07 pm It’s pretty terrifying as a Scotland fan, but all I can hope for is they can put a real dent in Ireland or SA.

South Africa, Tonga and Ireland is about as physical as it gets. And I still think that we struggle most when teams come out aiming to punch us in the mouth and make it a really direct game. It's so frustrating that this is our best team in decades but we're still likely going out after the group stages.

Tongas team looks pretty scary on paper. Anyone know anything about the half-backs, as I don't but they probably just need to be competent facilitators and let others run riot.

switchskier wrote: ↑Wed Jun 14, 2023 2:03 pm Tongas team looks pretty scary on paper. Anyone know anything about the half-backs, as I don't but they probably just need to be competent facilitators and let others run riot.

The best 9s in that squad are Takulua and Pulu. Takulua was first choice for Newcastle back when they were better, and he then moved on to be squad player for Toulon - very tidy 9 with a good kicking game, excellent off the tee, and loves a dart. Very French 9/10 player. Pulu is ex-AB (2 caps) with lots of Super Rugby experience, who not plays in Japan. They're both early 30s, but very experienced.

As for the fly-halves, they're basically praying that Havili doesn't get injured, as he is the pick of them. Brother of All Black David, he's been playing Super Rugby for Moana Pasifika. Not a superstar, but pretty good and far, far better than anything else they've got available.

Puja

Ireland be in bother carrying physically suspect types like sexton and henshaw

Build-up's going well, with a win against Australia A - 27-21 (and apparently shouldn't've been close - were 24-0 up and switched off).



Puja

It wasn’t a totally callow Aussie side either. Fainga’a, Tupou, Salakaia-Loto, Neville, Foley and O’Connor were all in the first team picture not so long ago.

That’s a tasty Tonga squad. They play Fiji today which will be a good watch, I expect.

Folau has had to drop out because of an injury. How terribly sad.

Veainu is also confirmed as out injured - wasn't in the original squad, but I think would've been next cab off the rank. That is a genuine shame as he deserves another shot at the tournament. Tonga have yet to announce their injury replacement for Folau - apparently in the next couple of days.

Puja

I guess God doesn’t want Folau to play then.

Later Folau.


Fiji dealt with Tonga pretty handily.

morepork wrote: ↑Wed Aug 23, 2023 10:54 pm Later Folau.


Fiji dealt with Tonga pretty handily.

Yeah, Tonga look like they're set up to disappoint. So many big names, but they don't seem to be combining into a particularly good team so far. Fiji, on the other hand, look decidedly dangerous.

Puja

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Aug 24, 2023 2:05 amYeah, Tonga look like they're set up to disappoint. So many big names, but they don't seem to be combining into a particularly good team so far. Fiji, on the other hand, look decidedly dangerous.

One of those seems reminiscent of a supposed top tier side