2025 Pacific Championships

BroncsFan said:
A lot of injuries to Samoa out of that game... I think Tonga can get them next week.

All the Samoan injuries in the forward pack losing Terrell May, Jazz (no massive loss, but he can do a job at 13 better than 9), Mariota and possibly Sua... so they look really short there now... can they call up some other players that haven't already gone off on holidays?

Talagi was Samoa's best spine player, but Katoa will run rings around Luai who was just nowhere near good enough.

Tonga look short at 6 (no idea who's playing there... guessing Koula or Lehi as a makeshift), but Havili and Soni Luke can do a job at 9, and they'll have Iongi who has more ball playing than RTS, so I've got their spine as being ahead of Samoa's.

Tonga's pack should be strong enough against Samoa's now with all the injuries as well... with AFB, Eli Katoa, Lolo, Stefano, Leka, Wong, etc. I think they would've been around even before the injuries anyway... noting that Tonga are missing Haumole due to injury as well.
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May was a huge loss for Samoa before the game though, he is easily a top 5 Prop in the game, with him and Haas that is the best Prop combo of any team easily.
 
Teams released for the Pacific Championships Week 3

Kiwis v Tonga XIII, Sunday 4.05pm (AEDT) at Eden Park, Auckland
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PNG Kumuls v Fiji Bati, Saturday 4.00pm (AEDT) at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
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Kiwi Ferns v Jillaroos, Sunday 1.35pm (AEDT) at Eden Park, Auckland
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Didn't notice if the teams for the Pac Championships had been posted yet, but saw that Willison has been named on the bench so he will get to make his debut for the Kiwis
 
Waqa was dropped I guess and not sure why, Fiji is getting belted.

The PNG number 6 is a dead ringer playing style for Luai.
 
Donoghoe might be having one of the worst halves of all time.
 
Cooper bai is likely to be the next generations big money forward if he continues his trajectory.
 
NSW stables said:
Cooper bai is likely to be the next generations big money forward if he continues his trajectory.
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Yeah he's been very impressive. If this side makes up the nucleus of the PNG team, it will be fun to watch.
 
NSW stables said:
Cooper bai is likely to be the next generations big money forward if he continues his trajectory.
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Marcus Bai's son for anyone else like me who was wondering. One of the last likeable Melbourne Storm players.
 
Is there no Tonga vs PNG game this weekend?

I thought PNG as winners of the pacific bowl played against last place of the Pacific Championship (Tonga) and if they win then PNG get promoted to Pac Champs and Tonga dropped to Pac Bowl.

Have they dumped that approach, because I think that is a good game to play each year.

It gives PNG an opportunity to test themselves against a higher opponent, but also keeps Tonga honest, because there are genuine stakes to the game if they lose.
 
realist said:
Surprised that he was missing from the initial squads. If he plays, we've got a back 5 of internationals.
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Also Hoeter played for Tonga; Arthars and Perham have played Maori Allstars.
 
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