NZ July 2021 Tests (& other matches)

[waiopehu oldboy]

NZR have announced what they're calling a festival of Pacific rugby for July.

All Blacks vs Tonga, Saturday 3 July, 7.05PM, plus Māori All Blacks vs Manu Samoa (kick-off TBC), Mt Smart Stadium, AUCKLAND

All Blacks vs Fiji, Saturday 10 July, 7.05PM, Forsyth Barr Stadium, DUNEDIN

All Blacks vs Fiji, Saturday 17 July, 7.05PM, plus Tonga vs Samoa (kick-off TBC), FMG Stadium Waikato, HAMILTON

https://www.allblacks.com/news/bloc...-all-blacks-maori-and-pasifika-rugby-in-july/

Worth noting that both Fiji & Tonga (& Samoa for that matter) are currently above Italy, who were meant to be coming out for two Tests but have pulled out, in the WR (World Rugby) rankings.

Matches at Mount Smart (Warriors home ground) & FMG will draw big numbers from the Pasifika communities & Dunners will get a bigger crowd than NLP can hold so good venue choices all round IMO.

 

[Derpus]

Could be fun, but will Fiji etc be getting blokes like Radradra back, or will it be predominantly local guys?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ well it's officially within the WR (World Rugby) Window so Reg 9 applies but otoh anyone coming from anywhere other than Au will have to do 14 days in MIQ which could present some issues as the Window is only four weeks long. I'm guessing it won't be Fiji's first XV & that both Tonga & Samoa will contain more than the usual number of NZ-based heritage players.

 

[Dan54]

Yep, will be a few missing, but no more than Italy who are lower ranked anyway, so we getting what we can get. Still going to be a year or 2 before we get any decent teams down under maybe, (ie French this year will be same) and so I am presonally happy some PI teams getting some tests.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

A Mach has been added, Manu Samoa v Maori AB in Wellington on 26 June.

Manu Samoa squad named & looks pretty strong: 13 new caps (*) but 11 from RWC 2019 & a smattering of NH-based guys:

Ah See Tuala (Northampton), AJ Alatimu (Seattle, USA), Aki Seiuli* - (Glasgow), Alamanga Motuga (Counties Manukau), Albert Anae* (Rebels), Auvasa Falealii (Papatoetoe), Ben Nee Nee (Kamaisihi, Japan), D'Angelo Leuila (Fraser Tech, Waikato), Dwayne Polataivao (Pakuranga), Elisapeta Alofipo* , Tama Uli Salelologa, Henry Stowers (Brumbies), Henry Taefu (Western Force), Jack Lam (NEC Green Rockets), Joe Perez* (Laulii Lions), John Vaili (Aana Chiefs), JP Sauni* (Associates, Australia), Kalolo Tuiloma* - (Counties Manukau), Losi Filipo* (Bay of Plenty), Michael Ala'alatoa (Crusaders, c), Neria Formai* - (Hawke's Bay), Olajuwon Noa* (Hunter Wildfires), Ray Niuia (Blues), Rodney Yona (Brumbies), Sam Slade* Counties Manukau), Seilala Lam (Perpignan), Stacey Ili (Rebels), Teofilo Paulo (Avalon), Theodore McFarland* (Moamoa Roosters), Tietie Tuimauga* (Manawatū), TJ Ioane (Glasgow), Tomasi Alosio* (Hutt Old Boys Marist).

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...lead-manu-samoa-against-mori-all-blacks-tonga

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

And so it begins:

"The All Blacks could face a depleted Fijian team in their two-test series in July as European club rugby finals and the two-week quarantine period in New Zealand threaten to rob Vern Cotter’s side of their best players."

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...ch-as-semi-radradra-may-miss-all-blacks-tests

 

[Dctarget]

And so it begins:

"The All Blacks could face a depleted Fijian team in their two-test series in July as European club rugby finals and the two-week quarantine period in New Zealand threaten to rob Vern Cotter’s side of their best players."

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...ch-as-semi-radradra-may-miss-all-blacks-tests

Probably fair. Semi will most likely be playing for the Bears in their final on June 26. Can't take him away from that meaning he'll be out of quarantine like a day before the first test. These test windows are tight normally without 2 weeks of qurantine. Maybe NZ can give Fiji Nareki & Reece to even the ledger?

 

[Dan54]

Probably fair. Semi will most likely be playing for the Bears in their final on June 26. Can't take him away from that meaning he'll be out of quarantine like a day before the first test. These test windows are tight normally without 2 weeks of qurantine. Maybe NZ can give Fiji Nareki & Reece to even the ledger?

They would probably like to but can't!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Ash Dixon has said he's available for NZMaori but hinted that he'll retire after NPC. Personally I think he'll flag Super Rugby but keep turning up at Magpies training until someone summons the nerve to suggest that maybe, just a suggestion, but maybe you might want to consider the possibility, when you're ready, to think about maybe retiring at some point in the future........

 

[TheFairlightFlanker]

Is the North Island v South Island game being played this year?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ unfortunately not.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Match official appointments for the July Internationals are out:

https://www.world.rugby/the-game/high-performance/officiating/642034

Those relevant to this thread are:

Maori All Blacks v Samoa
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Saturday, 26 June, 2021
Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant Referee 1: Jordan Way (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: Amy Perrett (RA)
TMO: Angus Gardner (RA)

Maori All Blacks v Samoa
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Saturday, 3 July, 2021
Referee: Mike Fraser (NZR)
Assistant Referee 1: Paul Williams (NZR)
Assistant Referee 2: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)
TMO: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR)

New Zealand v Tonga
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Saturday, 3 July, 2021
Referee: Damon Murphy (RA)
Assistant Referee 1: Angus Gardner (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: James Leckie (RA)

New Zealand v Fiji
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Saturday, 10 July, 2021
Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant Referee 1: Angus Gardner (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: Damon Murphy (RA)
TMO: James Leckie (RA)

Samoa v Tonga
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Saturday, 10 July, 2021
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referee 1: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant Referee 2: Mike Fraser (NZR)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)

Samoa v Tonga
FMG Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand
Saturday, 17 July, 2021
Referee: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)
Assistant Referee 1: Dan Waenga (NZR)
Assistant Referee 2: Angus Mabey (NZR)
TMO: Chris Hart (NZR)

New Zealand v Fiji
FMG Stadium, Hamilton
Saturday, 17 July, 2021
Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)
Assistant Referee 1: Damon Murphy (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: James Leckie (RA)

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

MAB squad is out, too long to c&p from my mobile so will post later if no-one else does it first.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/i...cks-squad-for-series-against-manu-samoa-named

Presumably the selectors were told who they couldn't pick due to "Other Commitments" so unless there's injuries we won't be seeing Parkinson, Harmon or Hall in AB come Monday - I had them as sixth lock, eighth loosie & third halfback in a squad of 38.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Fiji squad also out, plenty of names I don't recognize but also some familiar ones inc Nadolo.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/i...s-as-he-eyes-sevens-switch-for-tokyo-olympics

No Radrada, apparently he's focused on making the Fiji Olympic Sevens team.

 

[zer0]

The copy/pasted version of the Maori squad:

Hookers
Ash Dixon (kāpene) – Hawke’s Bay, Ngāti Tahinga
Kurt Eklund – Bay of Plenty, Ngāti Kahu

Props
Josh Hohneck – Otago, Ngāti Manuhiri / Ngāti Whātua
Pouri Rakete-Stones – Hawke’s Bay, Ngāpuhi
Ollie Norris – Waikato, Ngāpuhi
Marcel Renata – Auckland, Ngāti Whānaunga / Ngāi Takoto
Tamaiti Williams – Canterbury, Ngāpuhi

Locks
Manaaki Selby-Rickit – Bay Of Plenty, Ngāti Raukawa / Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Isaia Walker-Leawere – Hawke’s Bay, Ngāti Porou
Pari Pari Parkinson – Tasman, Te Whānau ā Apanui
Josh Dickson – Otago, Ngāi Tahu

Loose forwards
Billy Harmon – Canterbury, Ngāi Tahu
Reed Prinsep – Canterbury, Te Rārawa
Whetukamokamo Douglas – Bay of Plenty Ngāti Porou / Ngāti Whakaue

Halfbacks
Bryn Hall – North Harbour, Ngāti Ranginui
Sam Nock – Northland, Ngāpuhi

First five-eighths
Otere Black – Bay of Plenty, Ngāi Tuhoe/Te Whānau ā Apanui/Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Josh Ioane – Otago, Te Rārawa

Midfield
Billy Proctor – Wellington, Ngai Te Rangi / Ngāpuhi
Quinn Tupaea – Waikato, Waikato
Alex Nankivell – Tasman, Ngāpuhi

Outside backs
Sean Wainui – Bay of Plenty, Ngāi Tuhoe / Ngā Arikikaiputahi / Ngāti Porou
Shaun Stevenson – North Harbour, Ngāpuhi
Jonah Lowe – Hawke’s Bay, Ngāti Pikiao
Kaleb Trask – Bay of Plenty, Ngāpuhi


https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...lacks-series-against-manu-samoa-for-operation

Interested to see where this leaves Zarn Sullivan.....

 

[Dan54]

Good point zer0, you would think that Zarn would of been close to MABs, but guess it a nice situation to be in when he hasn't jumped into a place.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Saw Messam wasn't there & assumed he'd flagged it but turns out he's having a minor op so he's good to go for Mooloos in their Centenary season.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/i...lacks-series-against-manu-samoa-for-operation

 

[KiwiM]

Zarn is only 20. Happy to take it slow.

I'm guessing this puts Bryn Hall out of the running for the ABs. Who will be that 3rd halfback? Drummond or Christie I guess?

 

[Dctarget]

Zarn is only 20. Happy to take it slow.

That's just silly. He has no right being that big.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

I had Hall as my third HB, I'd be happy with either Drummond as a stop-gap pending Fakatawa being fit & TJP available again or Christie as longer-term insurance in the event Weber buggers off (which I think he will once Fakatawa & TJP are back in the mix). We may as well pick him before the Scots do.

Also had Parkinson as sixth lock & Harmon as eighth loosie but not sure they'll take that many of either into these Tests, so possibly neither would've made it anyway & they're better off getting a taste of int'l footy with our unofficial Second XV.