International Pacific Championship

[Zaggo]

Having both games in Auckland is a big middle finger to the rest of the country

How?

Hamilton had the final 2 years ago and no one turned up.

Wellington barely half fills their stadium at the best of times.

Christchurch has a glorified paddock that looks embarrassing for an international match.

Auckland has the crowds and the grounds.

 

[Shogun]

How?

Hamilton had the final 2 years ago and no one turned up.

Wellington barely half fills their stadium at the best of times.

Christchurch has a glorified paddock that looks embarrassing for an international match.

Auckland has the crowds and the grounds.

Don't know if you're saying RL fans in other cities don't matter but I think they do. Having the 23 final in Hamilton was a mistake that should've been in Auckland.

 

[Billyspleen75]

While there have only been 3 non Auckland tests in the last 10 years, the attendances to all 3 have been awful (8-12k).

Wellington and Christchurch both get a Warriors game next season.
Hamilton gets 3x NRLW games and 1 Jersey Flegg game in the next 2 months.

I know that's Warriors vs Kiwis, but Rugby League is being pretty fairly spread

 

[WA Warrior]

Payne Haas has reportedly told Kevin Walters he is playing for Toa.
Forward battles in the Pacific Championship this year will be ridiculous.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Payne Haas has reportedly told Kevin Walters he is playing for Toa.
Forward battles in the Pacific Championship this year will be ridiculous.

Toa just got much stronger. Wonder who will partner Luai? Blaze Talagi?

 

[WA Warrior]

Toa just got much stronger. Wonder who will partner Luai? Blaze Talagi?

I would think so.
Maybe CHT if he doesn’t play for the Kiwis.
But if he plays for Samoa I would say 7 Luai 6 Talagi & 14 CHT.
Also King-Togia could be in the mix.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

I would think so.
Maybe CHT if he doesn’t play for the Kiwis.
But if he plays for Samoa I would say 7 Luai 6 Talagi & 14 CHT.
Also King-Togia could be in the mix.

King-Togia looks the goods on attack but he has so much work to do on D.

 

[WA Warrior]

King-Togia looks the goods on attack but he has so much work to do on D.

Definitely, probably a year too soon but that’s the major issues with the Pacific teams.
The depth in the halves and at hooker is not great.
Imagine if Luai and I Katoa got ruled out the Kiwis are huge favourites straight away.

 

[Billyspleen75]

Definitely, probably a year too soon but that’s the major issues with the Pacific teams.
The depth in the halves and at hooker is not great.
Imagine if Luai and I Katoa got ruled out the Kiwis are huge favourites straight away.

Yeah definitely this.
Whoever out of Samoa and Tonga get a quality hooker = serious chance at a World Cup.

 

[Shogun]

Toa just got much stronger. Wonder who will partner Luai? Blaze Talagi?

King-Togia looks like 1 for the future
I'd seriously look at these 2
Lino been carrying Wakefield on his back, he's for sure gonna be there MVP
Tyrone May at Hull KR leading the comp for the whole season

 

[Boats n Hoes]

While there have only been 3 non Auckland tests in the last 10 years, the attendances to all 3 have been awful (8-12k).

Wellington and Christchurch both get a Warriors game next season.
Hamilton gets 3x NRLW games and 1 Jersey Flegg game in the next 2 months.

I know that's Warriors vs Kiwis, but Rugby League is being pretty fairly spread

Totally irrelevant but i remember rocking up in 1989 as a very young fella to the Kiwi's v Kangaroos at Rotorua International Stadium 26 000 crowd which actually put me on the Rugby League path......the only game of league i had been to before that as a kid was a club Pikiao v Ngongotaha down here which was totally feral....fight broke out which spread into the crowd, i remember a couple of women going at it and one clutching a handful of hair screaming like she had just scalped someone......Club League in the 80s....damn it could get sketchy.

 

[John Nick]

Totally irrelevant but i remember rocking up in 1989 as a very young fella to the Kiwi's v Kangaroos at Rotorua International Stadium 26 000 crowd which actually put me on the Rugby League path......the only game of league i had been to before that as a kid was a club Pikiao v Ngongotaha down here which was totally feral....fight broke out which spread into the crowd, i remember a couple of women going at it and one clutching a handful of hair screaming like she had just scalped someone......Club League in the 80s....damn it could get sketchy.

Our teams preseason included a trip to Ngongataha each year for the 7 aside tournament. Great after match functions.
From memory the home team was completely all Orchards. Robert was the captain and his brother Philip are the only names that I recall but great hosts

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Our teams preseason included a trip to Ngongataha each year for the 7 aside tournament. Great after match functions.
From memory the home team was completely all Orchards. Robert was the captain and his brother Philip are the only names that I recall but great hosts

My father in law played with all the Orchards at Ngongotaha. Phillip was his best man.

The father in law was a Kiwi trialist Joe Watson from Taranaki and was in line but pulled out when the missus came along

 

[John Nick]

My father in law played with all the Orchards at Ngongotaha. Phillip was his best man.

The father in law was a Kiwi trialist Joe Watson from Taranaki and was in line but pulled out when the missus came along

Great days and great players

 

[Billyspleen75]

Totally irrelevant but i remember rocking up in 1989 as a very young fella to the Kiwi's v Kangaroos at Rotorua International Stadium 26 000 crowd which actually put me on the Rugby League path......the only game of league i had been to before that as a kid was a club Pikiao v Ngongotaha down here which was totally feral....fight broke out which spread into the crowd, i remember a couple of women going at it and one clutching a handful of hair screaming like she had just scalped someone......Club League in the 80s....damn it could get sketchy.

Funny you mention random games putting you on the rugby league path.
The Kiwis playing at North Harbour in 2003 and 2004 cemented that for my brother and I.
Warriors also played a few pre season games there over the next couple years.

 

[SBW1]

MSN

 

[SBW1]

MSN

Tonga look like they will have a dangerous side.

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

He’ll be there due to reputation. (Kinda fair enough too)
But does JFH actually deserve to play for the Kiwis?

 

[WA Warrior]

Apparently Wolf has confirmed Leka Halasima and Rob Toia will be playing for Tonga this year.

 

[Zaggo]

Apparently Wolf has confirmed Leka Halasima and Rob Toia will be playing for Tonga this year.

Are there any 50/50 guys we reckon will choose Kiwis?

The likes of Iro, Vaimauga.