Player Demitric Vaimauga

[juju]

He was the stand out for Tonga. In a pack full of serious names.
Very impressive for someone so young.

 

[sup42]

Didn't he look good yesterday? In terms of energy and aggression I thought he was possibly Tongas best. Really excited to see him kick on next year.

He looked great in both tests.

Leka sucked last week (surprising, perhaps a lack of confidence around his heroes. tests do funny things to players).

 

[Noitall]

Leka sucked last week (surprising, perhaps a lack of confidence around his heroes. tests do funny things to players).

I just don’t think he’s an 80 minute player yet. Was surprised they didn’t use Finefeuiaki for his size alone against Samoa. He provided more impact yesterday too but they were outplayed again

 

[juju]

Demoting Leka to 18th man was truly baffling.
He would of gone demon mode playing in front of that crowd.

 

[Noitall]

Demoting Leka to 18th man was truly baffling.
He would have gone demon mode playing in front of that crowd.

It was Vaimauga initially last week at 18th man until a late reshuffle. I can sort of understand with him not having a strong performance last week over 80 minutes and if he’s was to be played yesterday off the bench, Finefeuiaki offers better coverage for edge or middle if needed. You’re right though, he likely would have done a few special things. I’m not opposed to these sorts of things to keep him as grounded as possible, it looks like he is but it’s going to be easy to get caught up in the hype. He and Vaimauga seem very close and Vaimauga seems to have a good attitude in the professional side of things. Will be interesting with Halasima, was him lining up at centre against panthers out of necessity, or a sign of what’s to come? He kept Casey McLean contained in that game and what McLean is doing is special

 

[Ref]

We all knew before this series how good Demi is.
Just performed to his usual high standard as one of the games elite forwards.

 

[Defence]

Interesting to hear him say something to the effect that he doesn’t have much tongan in him?
I’m guessing vaimauga is Samoan, Sifakula Tongan?
Anything else in there?
He should’ve played for nz- representing everyone then
Probably wants to play with Leka.
I wonder if Leota would choose the kiwis if jfh wasn’t there.

 

[Chris Hodges]

nteresting to hear him say something to the effect that he doesn’t have much tongan in him?
I’m guessing vaimauga is Samoan, Sifakula Tongan?
Anything else in there?

Father Tongan, Mother Samoan 'from Otara'. Father also has Niuean in him and he was born in NZ so could quality for a few countries. Interesting that he chose to adopt his mum's surname (as well as rename his son with the surname) and dropped Sikafula, yet represented his father's nation. He is such a good player and hope he sticks with Tonga and continues his strong bond with Leka.

 

[kos]

It brought a smile to my face watching him charge Jt in a most unconventional but legal tackle to stop the big Aucklander

 

[Neo]

Has he got the balance between run and pass right? His run metres dropped off towards the end of the season which seemed to make his passing less effective. His defence has definitely improved as well as his overall involvement. It’s definitely exciting to watch him progress. Hopefully he becomes that pivotal 13 in the Tohu mould

 

[j_p]

Interesting to hear him say something to the effect that he doesn’t have much tongan in him?
I’m guessing vaimauga is Samoan, Sifakula Tongan?
Anything else in there?
He should’ve played for nz- representing everyone then
Probably wants to play with Leka.
I wonder if Leota would choose the kiwis if jfh wasn’t there.

Hes half Samoan from his mums side and quarter Tongan through his dad's side. He has said in the past he is closer to his Samoan side including in a recent podcast from memory.
A lot of comments on social media have said he wasn't going to be picked for samoa that's why he went to tonga. Tbf that was mostly Samoans saying that lol and they weren't very happy he picked tonga.
I think I heard someone on here mention it was leka's influence that he picked tonga...

 

[roguei]

Hes half Samoan quarter Tongan through his dad's side. He has said in the past he is closer to his Samoan side including in a recent podcast from memory.
A lot of comments on social media have said he wasn't going to be picked for samoa that's why he went to tonga. Tbf that was mostly Samoans saying that lol and they weren't very happy he picked tonga.
I think I heard someone on here mention it was leka's influence that he picked tonga

He also seems to really look up to/value AFB and his mentorship. He defenitly did when he was at the warriors and it looked like that was still the case at camp. One day he might move over to samoa or even NZ. But i don't see that happening anytime soon unless the the horrible katoa sitatuion ends up fracturing the organization.

But god damn it's great to see him getting better with every game. Can see him being a future captian of the warriors.

 

[Fufu]

he has some underrated ballplaying. He put JFH for a good try earlier this year and almost did the same again on the weekend with a no look pass where he fakes to play out the back but goes short instead to the lead runner. The deception and soft hands are very impressive from a brute prop.

Very excited to see this guy this season

 

[The Warrior Waka]

He also seems to really look up to/value AFB and his mentorship. He defenitly did when he was at the warriors and it looked like that was still the case at camp. One day he might move over to samoa or even NZ. But i don't see that happening anytime soon unless the the horrible katoa sitatuion ends up fracturing the organization.

But god damn it's great to see him getting better with every game. Can see him being a future captian of the warriors.

I hope he stays with Tonga. They gave him his first opportunity. He could well take over from Taumalolo in the near future as the starting 13 for them. Haumole, Leka, Katoa, Demetric, Suia Wong. Gosh damn.