International Pacific Championship
- Thread starter Shogun
- Start date
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I know he’s got some fans on here….
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Speaking to the Pacific Championships, there's a few baffling decisions:
- Holding the final in Hamilton rather than Mt Smart/Auckland.
- Having us play Australia two weeks in a row. Granted, we weren't guaranteed to be in the final but still poor scheduling. People on the fence won't bother going after we barely put up a fight last weekend.
- Ticket prices more akin to an All Blacks game. Majority of tickets should've been under $50 so people could take the family - look how successful this was for the Warriors.
- Kiwis not playing regularly. It's tough to get buy-in when kids can't see their heroes play in the flesh for years on end.
It seems the NZRL is too much of an old boys network and doesn't have anywhere near enough business savvy.
My Ma is in a dementia facility and I took her out for a drive and lunch today for the first time since she’s been in there…….it was beautiful, made my weekend.
And this is the cherry on top (pun intended DCE) she loves League/The Kiwis/Wahs and always used to watch games with me……life is a beautiful disaster.
She legit hates the Aussies so I can’t wait to tell her we beat them!!
Woooooooooo!!!!!!!
And this is the cherry on top (pun intended DCE) she loves League/The Kiwis/Wahs and always used to watch games with me……life is a beautiful disaster.
She legit hates the Aussies so I can’t wait to tell her we beat them!!
Woooooooooo!!!!!!!
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Tutira mai as the victory song. How good.
Great speech by the mom CNK
Down and out last year
On top of the world this year
He s a champion
Down and out last year
On top of the world this year
He s a champion
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That match turned into something really special. Tutira Mai sung by the crow in the final minute.
CNK with a great speech.
JFH with a great speech.
Victory song.
And the crowd sticking around.
Beautiful.
The diehards who actually showed up will remember this game for the rest of their lives, turns out they got good value for the ticket price, wish I was there.
That was a small crowd
But they were the real desl
No band wagoneers there
The real deal
They deserved what they got
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It is the best Birthday I have ever had.
As I posted amidst all the catastrophizing last week, only a fool would write off the Kiwis vs Kangaroos in a final.
Best moment of my Birthday was seeing a close up of my brother in the best seats in the house smiling and my sister in law wiping the tears from her eyes as the Kiwis made a come back impossible by the cheats.
As I posted amidst all the catastrophizing last week, only a fool would write off the Kiwis vs Kangaroos in a final.
Best moment of my Birthday was seeing a close up of my brother in the best seats in the house smiling and my sister in law wiping the tears from her eyes as the Kiwis made a come back impossible by the cheats.
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Fuck me!!
Did not expect that but wasn't that a thing of beauty! You just cant write off a Kiwi team in a final at home.
Was at the game with my wife and she was like "this crowds abit different to the warriors crowd" and I told her "that's because these are the hardcore leaguies, the grassroots". That was a game for the volunteers to who work tirelessly for our game and for the ones in Waikato that got to witness it it was special.
Will have to watch the tape back but the boys were on, Across the park they wanted it bad.
Fuck the size of the crowd that was a pure kiwis crowd who were loud and backed their team, yes theres apathy towards the kiwis and the international game but I was proud of the Waikato, on short notice (RLPA holding promotion and planning back) the warriors doing well and a ton of warriors fans who only care about the warriors, for the hardcore who have hung around through the kidwell era this was glorius.
Cant wait to watch the aussie commentary you just know it will be special lol.
Great season, the wahs, kiwi ferns now the kiwis, cant wait for next season!!
Did not expect that but wasn't that a thing of beauty! You just cant write off a Kiwi team in a final at home.
Was at the game with my wife and she was like "this crowds abit different to the warriors crowd" and I told her "that's because these are the hardcore leaguies, the grassroots". That was a game for the volunteers to who work tirelessly for our game and for the ones in Waikato that got to witness it it was special.
Will have to watch the tape back but the boys were on, Across the park they wanted it bad.
Fuck the size of the crowd that was a pure kiwis crowd who were loud and backed their team, yes theres apathy towards the kiwis and the international game but I was proud of the Waikato, on short notice (RLPA holding promotion and planning back) the warriors doing well and a ton of warriors fans who only care about the warriors, for the hardcore who have hung around through the kidwell era this was glorius.
Cant wait to watch the aussie commentary you just know it will be special lol.
Great season, the wahs, kiwi ferns now the kiwis, cant wait for next season!!
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Fark yeah!!
Been at the races on the punt all day- was planning to come home and watch the replay but one of the Aussie boys brought his iPad special for the occasions and sat it on the table for all to see
It was the greatest thing ever! Those karnts were so confident- even at halftime but it kept getting worse and worse (or better and better depending on who you’re supporting)
So pumped- kiwis are my number one team- much like @sup42 congratulations brother- soak it up.
I wish all nz eligible players would get on the bus- Aussies picking on reputation’s and got ktfo
Up the kiwis- so stoked
Now to watch the replay
Been at the races on the punt all day- was planning to come home and watch the replay but one of the Aussie boys brought his iPad special for the occasions and sat it on the table for all to see
It was the greatest thing ever! Those karnts were so confident- even at halftime but it kept getting worse and worse (or better and better depending on who you’re supporting)So pumped- kiwis are my number one team- much like @sup42 congratulations brother- soak it up.
I wish all nz eligible players would get on the bus- Aussies picking on reputation’s and got ktfo
Up the kiwis- so stoked
Now to watch the replay
NZWarriors.com
Was at the game.
Was a real die hard league crowd. People involved in the local rugby league scene everywhere.
Atmosphere was actually really good, admittedly ooks shit on TV because hard cam shoots away from Brian Perry stand.
Really noticeable at the Warriors v Tigers game here this year how casual a lot of that crowd is, just there to be at a big event and get pissed.
I'd note Kiwis vs Kangaroos at Mt Smart in 2018 only drew 12,700 so this crowd was actually bigger.
The rise of Samoa and Tonga has split our South Auckland core supoorter base, so Mt Smart is no magic bullet for Kiwi attendances.
If the next Kiwi v Roos game does get a big attendance it'll be on the back of this performance, just reading through this thread I can see a lot wouldn't have bothered to show up if it was in Auckland anyway and this a rugby league forum.
Was a real die hard league crowd. People involved in the local rugby league scene everywhere.
Atmosphere was actually really good, admittedly ooks shit on TV because hard cam shoots away from Brian Perry stand.
Really noticeable at the Warriors v Tigers game here this year how casual a lot of that crowd is, just there to be at a big event and get pissed.
I'd note Kiwis vs Kangaroos at Mt Smart in 2018 only drew 12,700 so this crowd was actually bigger.
The rise of Samoa and Tonga has split our South Auckland core supoorter base, so Mt Smart is no magic bullet for Kiwi attendances.
If the next Kiwi v Roos game does get a big attendance it'll be on the back of this performance, just reading through this thread I can see a lot wouldn't have bothered to show up if it was in Auckland anyway and this a rugby league forum.
What a great game that was. Pity really, that performance deserved a packed out stadium. Kudos to the hearty that turned up but if that was Samoa or Tonga playing they wouldve filled that place......the general apathy for Kiwi international League is indicative of a split supporter base and the self interest of the powers that run this game - namely the NRL and the amatuer hour NZRL.
Im a country over club man and that performance from the Kiwis was night and day better than last week. Maybe they simply werent showing their hand last week but probably as we know historically the Kiwis get better in a tournament format as it progresses, they really hit their straps last night and man it was great seeing for once the Aussies not having any answers.
Tapine was massive, Nicol Klockstad great, the halves gelled this week and geez the timing on their shifts which looked all at sea last week was like clockwork. Shout out to Timoko who impressed me like hell watching the Canberra games this year but damn he's strong. Hate Mulitalo when he's giving lip at the Sharks but god it was great seeing him wind up the Aussies.
As for the Aussies (and make no mistake those are quality fucking League players in that side) they really had nothing, cant remember the last time ive seen an Australian team just not fire any shots.......such was our dominance.......loved every minute of it.
Im a country over club man and that performance from the Kiwis was night and day better than last week. Maybe they simply werent showing their hand last week but probably as we know historically the Kiwis get better in a tournament format as it progresses, they really hit their straps last night and man it was great seeing for once the Aussies not having any answers.
Tapine was massive, Nicol Klockstad great, the halves gelled this week and geez the timing on their shifts which looked all at sea last week was like clockwork. Shout out to Timoko who impressed me like hell watching the Canberra games this year but damn he's strong. Hate Mulitalo when he's giving lip at the Sharks but god it was great seeing him wind up the Aussies.
As for the Aussies (and make no mistake those are quality fucking League players in that side) they really had nothing, cant remember the last time ive seen an Australian team just not fire any shots.......such was our dominance.......loved every minute of it.
It’s not like where full strength either though
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That sums up the Kiwis v Australia for the last 40 years
Key players injured or suspended
Makeshift halves/spine
Ill discipline at key moments
Momentum killers by players overplaying their hand
An inability to capitalise on possession
Aussie scoring in the last 5 minutes of the fist half after we've slogged our guts out to be on par
And the sheer class of a couple of Australian players putting the game out of reach. Edwards and Moses combining. Turbo and Lomax earlier
Key players injured or suspended
Makeshift halves/spine
Ill discipline at key moments
Momentum killers by players overplaying their hand
An inability to capitalise on possession
Aussie scoring in the last 5 minutes of the fist half after we've slogged our guts out to be on par
And the sheer class of a couple of Australian players putting the game out of reach. Edwards and Moses combining. Turbo and Lomax earlier
Are you serious? I thought it was one of the best games I'd seen all year - a good old fashioned ding dong, not ruined by endless penalties or six agains.
I'm a Kiwis die hard - We need to celebrate what Tonga and their fans bring to the sport.
I honestly believe they are one of the best and most unique group of sports fans in the world.
They single handily revitalised international RL despite Australia's best efforts to complete ignore it.
That was special to be a part of in person and that was a brilliant game.
I honestly believe they are one of the best and most unique group of sports fans in the world.
They single handily revitalised international RL despite Australia's best efforts to complete ignore it.
That was special to be a part of in person and that was a brilliant game.
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Naufahu Whyte committed to Kiwis
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Just got back. Haven't seen a replay yet, but from the middle of the South Stand...
-Whyte and Tapine immense
-Brown hot-and-cold but hot at crucial moments
-McLean is farking strong for a slender looking fella
-Foran was constantly in the ref's ear - basically the de facto captain
-Papali'i and Leota looked good
-We looked more tired than them, but also more structured and 'team-y'; they looked more likely to break the game open with individual brilliance
-Whyte and Tapine immense
-Brown hot-and-cold but hot at crucial moments
-McLean is farking strong for a slender looking fella
-Foran was constantly in the ref's ear - basically the de facto captain
-Papali'i and Leota looked good
-We looked more tired than them, but also more structured and 'team-y'; they looked more likely to break the game open with individual brilliance
Another awesome sight this weekend with the crowd. International league is improving but it's not really due to management and planning but more luck they fell into with the Tongan & Samoans drawing the crowds.
That middle 3 of the Kiwis with JFH, Leota and Tapine is a great unit. This week there was less of a drop off when they were replaced. Whyte, Willison and Clark kept it going through the middle.
Nice work from the halves. Having a fast elusive fullback helped a lot.
Also Isaako knocking over the majority of the conversions.
That middle 3 of the Kiwis with JFH, Leota and Tapine is a great unit. This week there was less of a drop off when they were replaced. Whyte, Willison and Clark kept it going through the middle.
Nice work from the halves. Having a fast elusive fullback helped a lot.
Also Isaako knocking over the majority of the conversions.
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Tonga and Samoa did the Kiwis a favor with the movement of players away from New Zealand.
New Zealand having lost all the stars to Tonga and Samoa have become a team that has returned to oldschool Test match culture, the players that the Kiwis have available now are there for the old fashioned reasons people played test matches in days gone by.
By reducing their options the Kiwis have ended up with hearty play for the flag types of players.
Even though Tonga and Samoa took some players that were better than their Kiwi counter parts at the time of the split, what really makes a strong test team is the will to fight for your colors.
In this vein it is good people like Dimitric and Leka chose where their hearts lie.
Gee Dimitric is a good bench player.
New Zealand having lost all the stars to Tonga and Samoa have become a team that has returned to oldschool Test match culture, the players that the Kiwis have available now are there for the old fashioned reasons people played test matches in days gone by.
By reducing their options the Kiwis have ended up with hearty play for the flag types of players.
Even though Tonga and Samoa took some players that were better than their Kiwi counter parts at the time of the split, what really makes a strong test team is the will to fight for your colors.
In this vein it is good people like Dimitric and Leka chose where their hearts lie.
Gee Dimitric is a good bench player.
Still remember him and Foran tearing up Aussie 2014/15. And this is Aussie Cameron Smith, Slater, Thurston years.
So yeah, lot of history there with those 2.
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He is a good man for supporting Stacey and everyone including Bellamy knows he is a great assistant to a head coach.
I thought Stacey got the game plan bang on with the way he had them using the ball and playing second phase, it is our natural game and these guys know what to do when the opposition have the ball.
Nice to see Stacey get some wins as coach and for NZs greatest test coach to be part of it in the legend Kearny.
How good! what about that forward pack? staunch af- that starting middle of the bash bros and tapine is one of the best we’ve seen imho- then u have absolute monsters coming off the bench- it’s a scary proposition, even for the islander packs.
If I had the chance to sign any of them though- all things considered- give me nafahu whyte- he’s gonna terrorize the nrl for years to come.
If I had the chance to sign any of them though- all things considered- give me nafahu whyte- he’s gonna terrorize the nrl for years to come.
Seriously these Samoa Tonga Kiwi s games piss all over State of Origin and the current Aus England tests
Great games
Great games
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I've been at every Kiwis game in Auckland/Hamilton over the last decade or so, and a massive change over the last couple of years is the demographic that's attending as Kiwi fans.
In the past it was largely slightly older, fairly grizzled buggers, who generally looked like they'd been in and around the game for yonks.
Recently, particularly yesterday, I've been seeing far more young white fans, which will be setting off alarm bells for the NZRU - that's their bread and butter. I've been seeing the tide turning with Wahs fans but seems Kiwis are now experiencing the same.
It's a big injection of life and energy into the fan base, really good to see for the future of the game.
In the past it was largely slightly older, fairly grizzled buggers, who generally looked like they'd been in and around the game for yonks.
Recently, particularly yesterday, I've been seeing far more young white fans, which will be setting off alarm bells for the NZRU - that's their bread and butter. I've been seeing the tide turning with Wahs fans but seems Kiwis are now experiencing the same.
It's a big injection of life and energy into the fan base, really good to see for the future of the game.
Eli posted an instagram story this morning, hope he’s doing okay
Was at the game and blown away by the atmosphere
When the MMT anthem started everyone around our area (and I suspect the stadium) who were wearing red started singing
At the end of it I feared that the NZ anthem would be performed in silence but how wrong that was as the same folk who had just sung their anthem joined with those of us singing the NZ anthem and it was louder than the MMT anthem
It struck home to me that the Pacific Islanders who have made NZ home are as much NZers as they Islanders.
The kiwis scored the red flags were waved with vigour, the Tongans defended well the red flags were waved with vigour, the Tongans scored the crowd erupted.
A Tongan supporter 2 rows in front of us had a humongous Tongan flag that for good portions of the game obscured our view as he waved it whenever some action took place but I choose not to ask him to be “more respectful” of others for two reasons- 1) he was just enjoying his day at the footie supporting his team/s 2) he was a big bugger!!
Throughout the game there was spontaneous singing of Tongan songs (or I thought they were).
I’ve been to many grand finals, numerous rugby tests, Presidents Cup golf tournaments, Commonwealth Games etc. but I’ve never been in a crowd with as much atmosphere as was at Eden Park on Sunday.
If you ever get an opportunity to attend a game where a Pacific Island team is playing go, you won’t be disappointed
When the MMT anthem started everyone around our area (and I suspect the stadium) who were wearing red started singing
At the end of it I feared that the NZ anthem would be performed in silence but how wrong that was as the same folk who had just sung their anthem joined with those of us singing the NZ anthem and it was louder than the MMT anthem
It struck home to me that the Pacific Islanders who have made NZ home are as much NZers as they Islanders.
The kiwis scored the red flags were waved with vigour, the Tongans defended well the red flags were waved with vigour, the Tongans scored the crowd erupted.
A Tongan supporter 2 rows in front of us had a humongous Tongan flag that for good portions of the game obscured our view as he waved it whenever some action took place but I choose not to ask him to be “more respectful” of others for two reasons- 1) he was just enjoying his day at the footie supporting his team/s 2) he was a big bugger!!
Throughout the game there was spontaneous singing of Tongan songs (or I thought they were).
I’ve been to many grand finals, numerous rugby tests, Presidents Cup golf tournaments, Commonwealth Games etc. but I’ve never been in a crowd with as much atmosphere as was at Eden Park on Sunday.
If you ever get an opportunity to attend a game where a Pacific Island team is playing go, you won’t be disappointed