International Pacific Championship

🤖 Thread Summary

Shogun #132 announcing his 24-player Kiwis squad selection after the weekend finals, noting that JWH was suspended and therefore excluded. Shogun #61 later posted detailed squad lists for both the Kiwis and Samoa teams, showing significant planning around Pacific Championships selections. The conversation evolved to cover various international team announcements, WahsaurusRex #18 sharing news about Kangaroos and PNG team selections, while participants debated player eligibilities and coaching decisions across different Pacific nations.

Recent developments focused heavily on match experiences and outcomes from the Pacific Championships. Defence #221 and other users provided live updates from the New Zealand A vs Tonga A curtain-raiser, praising Rocco Berry's standout performance and noting strong showings from Warriors players. The main event between New Zealand and Samoa resulted in a dominant 50-0 victory for the Kiwis, sup42 #27 and others commenting on the clinical second-half performance and the overwhelming Samoan crowd support at Eden Park. Several users noted concerns about ticket pricing and venue selection affecting attendance.

The final against Australia proved disappointing for New Zealand, losing 18-30 in Melbourne. Tragic #156 WahsaurusRex #18 expressed frustration with officiating and questioned the use of Australian referees in international matches. The conversation then shifted to upcoming changes, with multiple users discussing Michael Maguire's dual role as both Kiwis and NSW State of Origin coach. Recent posts from Zaggo #203 and others highlighted poor ticket sales for the Hamilton final, VB89 #512 The Warrior Waka #49 expressing embarrassment over the small crowd attendance for what should have been a major international rugby league event.

1. CNK (but Kini if he get's back to 100% challenges)
2. Isaako
3. Timoko
4. McLean
5. Mulitalo
6. Brown
7. Hughes
8. Fish
9. JMK
10 Leota
11. Papalii
12. Nikora
13. Tapine

14 Nikorima
15. NAS
16. Whyte
17. Clark

Fucked if Hughes (or any back really) gets Injured but I'm picking a team that can handle the physicality of what we're up against so starting Brown over Kodi. If Cheese stays fit and finds some form he's a real chance for 14.
 

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Zaggo said:
I'm surprised everyone is omitting Neame from their lineups, stating the need for big bodies.

He is a bloody big body! Does noone remember the game against Tonga last year where Tapine, Thompson and JFH were getting smashed, then Neame came on and started returning serve?
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He been steady without being spectacular.
Will step up in the Kiwi jersey hard.
 
Last edited:
In regards to Hughes, I’m taking it as a given that he is not playing. He’ll concentrate on healing after a string of injuries. (Happy to be wrong here)

For me, Foran is the clear fill in 7. With Brown playing at 6. But in saying that, I can see Brown pulling pin for some reason. I’d actually have CHT over Nikorima. At least CHT can defend, and there’s no guarantee that Nikorima fires. I have zero confidence in Nikorimas’ defence.

The hole really is JFH starting. You know it’s going to happen. (Part of feels he has earned the benefit of the doubt)
Tapine is the only forward we have that can go toe to toe with Haas, May and Tino week in week out.
NAS size guarantees impact, even if for a limited time, opening 15-20min and a 15 minute cameo in the second half.
 
Tohu’s_Knees said:
The hole really is JFH starting. You know it’s going to happen. (Part of feels he has earned the benefit of the doubt)
Tapine is the only forward we have that can go toe to toe with Haas, May and Tino week in week out.
NAS size guarantees impact, even if for a limited time, opening 15-20min and a 15 minute cameo in the second half.
Click to expand...
You know it's an absolutely stacked competition when we're trotting out the likes of Tapine, JFH, Whyte, Leota, Thompson and NAS and we feel undergunned!
 
If offered the chance, do we think CHT would pick Kiwis over Samoa given the hype around them with Haas and others choosing Samoa, and also he was a part of the RLWC team
 
Zaggo said:
I'm surprised everyone is omitting Neame from their lineups, stating the need for big bodies.

He is a bloody big body! Does noone remember the game against Tonga last year where Tapine, Thompson and JFH were getting smashed, then Neame came on and started returning serve?
Click to expand...
I have watched that game several times. He got man handled as well lol. I didn't see no get back. Naufahu Whyte was the only one serving up as good he got. Neame is a tall man. Not a big man at only 106kg.
 
Zaggo said:
You know it's an absolutely stacked competition when we're trotting out the likes of Tapine, JFH, Whyte, Leota, Thompson and NAS and we feel undergunned!
Click to expand...
Oh, we absolutely have to stock to win. And go toe to toe with the Polynesian teams.
The “issue” is picking the right middles to go up against Haas, Tino and May in the initial 20 or so minutes IMO.

Tapine is probably the one player in our trio everyone can universally get behind to start.
I’m happy for JFH to start. (Because they’re just going to do it regardless anyway)
It’s the 3rd guy. Personally, id start Whyte.
 
Briton is a 2nd row walk in.
Wish we had an all out wrecking ball.
to partner our man.
Tohu’s_Knees said:
Oh, we absolutely have to stock to win. And go toe to toe with the Polynesian teams.
The “issue” is picking the right middles to go up against Haas, Tino and May in the initial 20 or so minutes IMO.

Tapine is probably the one player in our trio everyone can universally get behind to start.
I’m happy for JFH to start. (Because they’re just going to do it regardless anyway)
It’s the 3rd guy. Personally, id start Whyte.
Click to expand...
I'd start NAS with captain JFH.
If NAS can control his temperament we can expect some fireworks in the first exchanges.

Majority of our back Rowers are similar except for Riki and Niukore.
I would start Papa with Nikora and get them to chop every leg running at us.
 
WHB said:
Briton is a 2nd row walk in.
Wish we had an all out wrecking ball.
to partner our man.

I'd start NAS with captain JFH.
If NAS can control his temperament we can expect some fireworks in the first exchanges.

Majority of our back Rowers are similar except for Riki and Niukore.
I would start Papa with Nikora and get them to chop every leg running at us.
Click to expand...
Fair enough, I kinda want to leave NAS on the bench.

14. Smith
15. NAS
16. Clark/Leota
17. Riki/someone versatile.

That bench would be hectic.
 
The Warrior Waka said:
I have watched that game several times. He got man handled as well lol. I didn't see no get back. Naufahu Whyte was the only one serving up as good he got. Neame is a tall man. Not a big man at only 106kg.
Click to expand...
Oh man, really?

I haven't watched it since I'm still mad at the result, and was at the ground so must've looked different to what the reality was.
 
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