RWC 2023 Qualifying & Miscellany
- Thread starter waiopehu oldboy
- Start date
Highlander35
Andrew Slack (58)
Nic Berry lmao, that's some good shit. Gimme whatever WR (World Rugby) are smoking.
The Ghost of Raelene
Andrew Slack (58)
Hope not. Expansion would be great. Especially for the professional leagues trying to establish themselves. If the national team is in the World Cup it does wonders.
Wilson
David Codey (61)
Yeah, would've thought it would've made sense for the Australian world cup too - there's heaps of available rugby infrastructure around the core cities for both training and playing and it'd set things up to pay off for the US world cup, rather than gambling on it coming good for their home world cup.
waiopehu oldboy
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Dctarget
John Eales (66)
Assuming Gatland told them both they’re not going across the Channel and they can retire on their terms instead of unceremoniously missing out on the team I thinkHoly shit, Batman, Alun Wyn Jones & Justin Tupiric are retiring before RWC:
Stuff
i.stuff.co.nz
Gotta be some politics involved, surely?
waiopehu oldboy
Stirling Mortlock (74)
^ doesn't seem like Wales are so flush with quality players they can discard these guys & both were included in the preliminary RWC squad that hasn't assembled yet. Odd to say the least.
The Ghost of Raelene
Andrew Slack (58)
Haven’t watched them play recently at Club level but AWJ won’t be missed IMO but Tupiric can still handle it.
Although I don’t see the talent knocking down the door to take their spots. Didn’t Navidi retire as well?
Although I don’t see the talent knocking down the door to take their spots. Didn’t Navidi retire as well?
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Tommy Reffell and Jac Morgan are very good players. Still got Faletau and Wainwright. At lock they could use Christ Tshiunza who was playing well for Exeter and the other Welsh lock there, Jenkins. Beard still going well. They'll be fine.
waiopehu oldboy
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Christian Lealiifano has confirmed that he's working through WR (World Rugby)'s eligibility transfer process & hopes to represent Samoa this year.
Dan54
Tim Horan (67)
That is great whether he actually makes team or not!
Jimmy_Crouch
Ken Catchpole (46)
Exactly why this new ruling is awesome
Dan54
Tim Horan (67)
Also another plus to having MP (Moana Pasifika) etc , getting him playing at super level again.
Jimmy_Crouch
Ken Catchpole (46)
So odd. I bought my kid a replica midi sized ball from rebel sports 3mths ago and it is exactly the same.
Dctarget
John Eales (66)
Fiji have named a pretty tasty world cup training squad. Coached by renowned good guy Simon Raiwalui. They'll push Australia and hopefully tip over Wales.
Their only weakness is lock, tighthead and halves. Everything else is great. Their backrow is amazing as is their back 5. I would consider taking their back 5 over ours.
1. Peni Ravai
2. Samuela Matavesi
3. Mesake Doge
4. Isoa Nasilasila
5. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
6. Peceli Yato
7. Levani Botia
8. Albert Tuisue
9. Frank Lomani
10. Teti Tela
11. Semi Radradra
12. Josua Tuisova
13. Seta Tamanivalu
14. Jiuta Wainiqolo
15. Waisea Nayacalevu
Fiji Rugby World Cup training squad
Forwards (25):
Loosehead (4): Peni Ravai (Queensland Reds), Haereti Hetet (Fijian Drua), Eroni Mawi (Saracens), Meli Tuni* (Fijian Drua);
Hooker (4): Samuela Matavesi (Northampton), Tevita Ikanivere (Fijian Drua), Zuriel Togiatama* (Fijian Drua), Mesulame Dolokoto (Fijian Drua);
Tighthead (4): Mesake Doge (Fijian Drua), Luke Tagi (Provence), Samu Tawake (Fijian Drua), Jone Koroiduadua* (Fijian Drua);
Second row (3): Isoa Nasilasila (Fijian Drua), Apisalome Ratuniyarawa (London Irish), Temo Mayanavanua (Lyon);
Utility forwards (5): Albert Tuisue (Gloucester), Peceli Yato (Clermont), Lekima Tagitagivalu* (Fijian Drua), Joseva Tamani* (Fijian Drua), Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta (Fijian Drua);
Back row (5): Levani Botia (La Rochelle), Viliame Mata (Edinburgh), Meli Derenalagi* (Fijian Drua), Vilive Miramira* (Fijian Drua), Kitione Kamikamica (Racing 92).
Backs (20):
Scrum-half (3): Frank Lomani, Simione Kuruvoli, Peni Matawalu (all Fijian Drua);
Fly-half (3): Teti Tela (Fijian Drua), Caleb Muntz* (Fijian Drua), Ben Volavola (Racing 92);
Inside centre (3): Josua Tuisova (Lyon), Kalaveti Ravouvou (Fijian Drua), Adrea Cocagi (Fijian Drua);
Outside centre (3): Waisea Nayacalevu (Toulon), Iosefo Masi* (Fijian Drua), Seta Tamanivalu (Toshiba Brave Lupus);
Back three (5): Vinaya Habosi (Racing 92), Jiuta Wainiqolo (Toulon), Selestino Ravutaumada* (Fijian Drua), Ilaisa Drosese (Fijian Drua), Setareki Tuicuvu (Brive);
Utility backs (3): Semi Radradra (Bristol), Sireli Maqala (Bayonne), Vilimoni Botitu Castres).
*Denotes uncapped player
Their only weakness is lock, tighthead and halves. Everything else is great. Their backrow is amazing as is their back 5. I would consider taking their back 5 over ours.
1. Peni Ravai
2. Samuela Matavesi
3. Mesake Doge
4. Isoa Nasilasila
5. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
6. Peceli Yato
7. Levani Botia
8. Albert Tuisue
9. Frank Lomani
10. Teti Tela
11. Semi Radradra
12. Josua Tuisova
13. Seta Tamanivalu
14. Jiuta Wainiqolo
15. Waisea Nayacalevu
Fiji Rugby World Cup training squad
Forwards (25):
Loosehead (4): Peni Ravai (Queensland Reds), Haereti Hetet (Fijian Drua), Eroni Mawi (Saracens), Meli Tuni* (Fijian Drua);
Hooker (4): Samuela Matavesi (Northampton), Tevita Ikanivere (Fijian Drua), Zuriel Togiatama* (Fijian Drua), Mesulame Dolokoto (Fijian Drua);
Tighthead (4): Mesake Doge (Fijian Drua), Luke Tagi (Provence), Samu Tawake (Fijian Drua), Jone Koroiduadua* (Fijian Drua);
Second row (3): Isoa Nasilasila (Fijian Drua), Apisalome Ratuniyarawa (London Irish), Temo Mayanavanua (Lyon);
Utility forwards (5): Albert Tuisue (Gloucester), Peceli Yato (Clermont), Lekima Tagitagivalu* (Fijian Drua), Joseva Tamani* (Fijian Drua), Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta (Fijian Drua);
Back row (5): Levani Botia (La Rochelle), Viliame Mata (Edinburgh), Meli Derenalagi* (Fijian Drua), Vilive Miramira* (Fijian Drua), Kitione Kamikamica (Racing 92).
Backs (20):
Scrum-half (3): Frank Lomani, Simione Kuruvoli, Peni Matawalu (all Fijian Drua);
Fly-half (3): Teti Tela (Fijian Drua), Caleb Muntz* (Fijian Drua), Ben Volavola (Racing 92);
Inside centre (3): Josua Tuisova (Lyon), Kalaveti Ravouvou (Fijian Drua), Adrea Cocagi (Fijian Drua);
Outside centre (3): Waisea Nayacalevu (Toulon), Iosefo Masi* (Fijian Drua), Seta Tamanivalu (Toshiba Brave Lupus);
Back three (5): Vinaya Habosi (Racing 92), Jiuta Wainiqolo (Toulon), Selestino Ravutaumada* (Fijian Drua), Ilaisa Drosese (Fijian Drua), Setareki Tuicuvu (Brive);
Utility backs (3): Semi Radradra (Bristol), Sireli Maqala (Bayonne), Vilimoni Botitu Castres).
*Denotes uncapped player
Mr Pilfer
Bob Loudon (25)
Interesting that Isaac Fines-Leleiwasa is not in there? Surely he is good enough unless he is now wanted to play for Wallabies?
Also surprised Manasa Mataele is not in there.
Dctarget
John Eales (66)
The Ghost of Raelene
Andrew Slack (58)
Yeah Centres and Wing seem very interchangeable with the Fijians and they have them coming out their ears.
The fact they will actually choose between Teli and Volavola is a good problem for them.
The fact they will actually choose between Teli and Volavola is a good problem for them.
Dctarget
John Eales (66)
centres and opensides too now. Botia was a 12 last year, now starting 7 for La Rochelle (at 34 years old).