International New Zealand Kiwis

[WA Warrior]

I thought the Aussie squad looked weak and we'd be a good chance.

This Kiwis team does look down on troops but I'm also quite excited at the prospect

I think it’s going to be close.
After seeing the Tongan squad, they are going to push NZ and Aussie to make the final.

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

Interesting out for me is Xavier Willison. Is he injured or weighing up his options? I feel his size would have been handy.

Personally I don’t like a Hughes and Nikorima halves pairing. But the fact we can even put together a first grade halves pairing, with all our injuries is pretty impressive. It is what it is.

The most interesting position is centre. Obviously Timoko is one of them, but who’s the other one?
Where is Kris, Mariner and even Pompey? Has Hiki come all the way back here to just be in the squad and not play?
Do we just throw McLean in there.
Timoko plays right for the Raider and he played left in all 3 kiwi games last year and was good.
I’d go Timoko left and CNK right, but I think Stacey will pick Hiku.

1. Kini
2. Warbick
3. Timoko
4. CNK
5. Issako
6. Nikorima
7. Hughes

8. JFH
9. Crossland
10. Thompson
11. Sorenson
12. Riki
13. Tapine

14. Clark
15. Neame
16. Papalii
17. Niukore.

It’s still not a bad team all things considered.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Pretty nuts that we have like 10 injuries plus NAS and Joey Manu not available, it's essentially 10 of our top 17 unavailable. Massive. I know the Aussie team has a few question marks over it but if we got anywhere near them they would be ashamed

 

[tajhay]

Is Jordan Riki really one of the two best available second rowers for the Kiwis? He is so average.

 

[Aman 2.0]

I would rest JFH and basically use this as a chance to blood youngins.

This teams going nowhere. I think Tonga have our number this year as well.

PETA Hiku???

 

[Noitall]

Is Jordan Riki really one of the two best available second rowers for the Kiwis? He is so average.

Looking at the amount of underachieving broncos this year, I think it’s more the environment. Was pretty handy last year. Don’t think Papali’i or Niukore have had stellar seasons either

 

[Aman 2.0]

Atleast we have a tried and tested coach with tons of experience and comes from a great system with proven results

 

[tajhay]

Looking at the amount of underachieving broncos this year, I think it’s more the environment. Was pretty handy last year. Don’t think Papali’i or Niukore have had stellar seasons either

If you look at Riki's stats, this was his best year in first grade.

he is extremely overrated.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

View attachment 9796

Very raw team. Positives for me, The inclusion of the young bucks and players we weren't sure if they would commit to the Kiwis. Crossland, Kini, Toelau , McLean. And the debut of Warbrick

Couple of head scratches in Hiku & Nuikore? Altho I've heard Hiku has been going really well over in the UK.

Xavier Willison had a huge year and played big minutes for the bronx for a rookie. Maybe told stace he needed a rest?

Can't see us beating Tonga or the Roos. It is what it is.

Go hard boys!

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Is Jordan Riki really one of the two best available second rowers for the Kiwis? He is so average.

Would of preferred Laban or Halasima tbh. If we're looking at the chance to blood youngins.

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

If you look at Riki's stats, this was his best year in first grade.

he is extremely overrated.

Mostly agree, but he does play right edge and he’s “not useless”. He can share the role with Niukore who’ll add a bit of punch but isn’t anywhere near fit enough to play the 60-80 minutes needed.
Sorensen is obviously solid on that left.

You could go Papalii on the right but I want him in the middle. I’d rather him on the bench than Whyte.

 

[Shogun]

Would of preferred Laban or Halasima tbh. If we're looking at the chance to blood youngins.

Let's not poach island born players aye

Players ruled out of Kiwis through injury: R. Mulitalo (knee), Dylan Brown (knee),
Kieran Foran (ankle), Moses Leota (shoulder), Brandon Smith (knee), Jeremy
Marshall-King (knee), B. Nikora (ankle), Kayal Iro (hamstring), Te Maire Martin
(neck). Suspended: N Asofa-Solomona

1 TMM
2 MULITALO
3 BERRY
4 MANU
5 SIMONSSON
6 BROWN
7 FORAN
8 LEOTA
9 JMK
10 SAULO
11 LOCH NAS
12 NIKORA
13 SMITH

not including Iro or Howarth cause not born in NZ nor pledged allegiance to

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Pretty nuts that we have like 10 injuries plus NAS and Joey Manu not available, it's essentially 10 of our top 17 unavailable. Massive. I know the Aussie team has a few question marks over it but if we got anywhere near them they would be ashamed

Youd have to imagine a number of those injuries players have been carrying a while and through the Finals series,, so you'd also imagine a number of them couldve still played this series. My question would be how many of those players clubs have gone to them and said "nah, u take care of them now" (which i understand is the clubs right).....just historically always seems to be a different standard applied to Kiwi eligible players.

Incidently the 2 new Penrith Kiwis, McLean and Toelau....never heard of them....what positions do they play?

 

[OtautahiEast]

Interesting out for me is Xavier Willison. Is he injured or weighing up his options? I feel his size would have been handy.

Personally I don’t like a Hughes and Nikorima halves pairing. But the fact we can even put together a first grade halves pairing, with all our injuries is pretty impressive. It is what it is.

The most interesting position is centre. Obviously Timoko is one of them, but who’s the other one?
Where is Kris, Mariner and even Pompey? Has Hiki come all the way back here to just be in the squad and not play?
Do we just throw McLean in there.
Timoko plays right for the Raider and he played left in all 3 kiwi games last year and was good.
I’d go Timoko left and CNK right, but I think Stacey will pick Hiku.

1. Kini
2. Warbick
3. Timoko
4. CNK
5. Issako
6. Nikorima
7. Hughes

8. JFH
9. Crossland
10. Thompson
11. Sorenson
12. Riki
13. Tapine

14. Clark
15. Neame
16. Papalii
17. Niukore.

It’s still not a bad team all things considered.

Xavier got suspended in the last round for the broncos
Also Bailey Simonson, Pompey (knee)
Rocco (Shoulder)

 

[Noitall]

Youd have to imagine a number of those injuries players have been carrying a while and through the Finals series,, so you'd also imagine a number of them couldve still played this series. My question would be how many of those players clubs have gone to them and said "nah, u take care of them now" (which i understand is the clubs right).....just historically always seems to be a different standard applied to Kiwi eligible players.

Incidently the 2 new Penrith Kiwis, McLean and Toelau....never heard of them....what positions do they play?

McLean in the centres and Toelau in the halves

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Let's not poach island born players aye

What? Like Australia & Island teams have NZ Born players ? Laban was born in Samoa and raised in NZ ? But NZ are the poachers, Aye? Lol

 

[JaggedJ]

Xavier got suspended in the last round for the broncos
Also Bailey Simonson, Pompey (knee)
Rocco (Shoulder)

RTS and DWZ defecting.

But you know what? I still remember Nigel Vagana at fullback, Willie Talau at 6, and Ben Henry playing hooker.

The fact we have so many missing but still have specialists in every spine position shows how far we've come.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Let's not poach island born players aye

Tongan Squad.
Born in NZ

Finefeuiaki
Havili
Sione Katoa
Felise Kaufusi
Lolohea
Paseka
Taumalolo
Tupouniua
Suia Wong

Bloody poachers !!!!!

Nah, I don't actually care, Making the island teams stronger is better for international RL. Just calling out your bs.

 

[Shogun]

What? Like Australia & Island teams have NZ Born players ? Laban was born in Samoa and raised in NZ ? But NZ are the poachers, Aye? Lol

Is your argument, my neighbours' a criminal so I should be too?

 

[kos]

Tongan Squad.
Born in NZ

Finefeuiaki
Havili
Sione Katoa
Felise Kaufusi
Lolohea
Paseka
Taumalolo
Tupouniua
Suia Wong

Bloody poachers !!!!!

Nah, I don't actually care, Making the island teams stronger is better for international RL. Just calling out your bs.

Why don’t we just rename the Tonga side Auckland