International Pacific Championship

[jumpman5xl]

Was on the side where lehi swapped with Katoa. Lehi was absolutely gone physically. He could barely run. I was suprised we didn’t target him down that left side. Massively wasted opportunity imo. Poor team selections and tactics. Stacey looks like a backwards step. Nzrl always shit the bed after abit of success. Can never maintain consistency. Tongan crowd was awesome and really enjoyed the atmosphere which was nice break from the warriors one. I hope Tonga go all the way. Would be like winning a mini World Cup for them which would bode well for next years pac champs.

Should've always gone to Bennett, with Stacey learning and then taking the reigns after the WC. Bad move from NZRL.

 

[KPWarrior]

Should've always gone to Bennett, with Stacey learning and then taking the reigns after the WC. Bad move from NZRL.

I really wanted Stacey to do well, a couple of years under Wayne would have been the way to go, even if Wayne was an 'assistant', you can't say no to that experience.

 

[CWC]

Wow they had SJ and didn’t take the field goal in the last 7 minutes?

 

[CWC]

How did Charnz go?

I hope it’s worth it for Stacy, the real deal is seeing if some kiwi boys sign with us in the offseason, pacific champ is just a rouse lol

 

[KPWarrior]

Is this what test match footy has become?

End of season showcase for off contract players to get picked up.

It's like the old City v Country for an Origin spot. Fkn sad!

 

[Buzz Killington]

I was in the Wayne first, then Stacey take the reins later camp. But, Stacey has done a long enough apprenticeship and has been involved with the kiwis for over 20 years. If he ain’t ready now, he never will be!

Looks like he will join the kiwi elite coaching team of Kidwell and Kemble! And the team will go from world number one to relegation pool 2.

 

[Shogun]

About an hour after the game I remembered Kiwis beat Tonga 25-24 in the 95 World cup with a FG to Ridge
Tonga deserved this win

 

[KPWarrior]

I was in the Wayne first, then Stacey take the reins later camp. But, Stacey has done a long enough apprenticeship and has been involved with the kiwis for over 20 years. If he ain’t ready now, he never will be!

Looks like he will join the kiwi elite coaching team of Kidwell and Kemble! And the team will go from world number one to relegation pool 2.

It's almost unbelievable!

Stacey's wanted this job for ever. There were more positives against Aussie last week.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

All these injuries and bullshit Nas suspension, Plus Australia always getting a warm up game in before we play them. The Cronulla boys all being pulled because of Injury? But Nikora & Mulitalo were playing Touch just a week ago?! Why didn't Stacey pull a Mal Meninga and threaten the Sharks to make them available or ELSE!

I may be a little sensitive right now. And not taking away from Tonga's awesome win! But after we smashed the roos last year it was inevitable that they would do all they can to put us in our place.

 

[Shogun]

I was in the Wayne first, then Stacey take the reins later camp. But, Stacey has done a long enough apprenticeship and has been involved with the kiwis for over 20 years. If he ain’t ready now, he never will be!

Looks like he will join the kiwi elite coaching team of Kidwell and Kemble! And the team will go from world number one to relegation pool 2.

But look at who we were missing
Mulitalo, Brown, Foran, Hughes, Leota, JMK, Smith, NAS, Nikora

 

[The Warrior Waka]

But look at who we were missing
Mulitalo, Brown, Foran, Hughes, Leota, JMK, Smith, NAS, Nikora

Also Manu would of been nice.

 

[KPWarrior]

It's becoming an exhibition!

 

[juju]

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.

 

[juju]

I don’t mind it to be honest! In fairness I’m off to the gig next Friday so gets me going for that. The 2 big screens would be good at ground I reckon

Yeah it actually looked pretty cool in person and worked with the screens.
They should of sold some seats on the stage!

 

[Noitall]

Great to see Webster in the crowd in a Kiwis jersey. I know Jett has just arrived over, but Ivan seems to be spending a lot of time over here

 

[hornbybrown]

A few thoughts.

Go Tonga next week.

I have never seen a kiwi team in 35 years of watching get that badly physically beaten up in a half of football, not even against the best Aussie teams.
That Tongan starting forward pack might be the best ever.

Go Tonga next week.

Great come back in the second half with some beautiful try’s, I didn’t know Joe was such a classy soccer player. Nearly fell out of my seat watching that.

Go Tonga next week.

I’m highly unconvinced in Stacey as a coach at all especially a Head coach. No more jobs for the old boys unless they truly deserve it.

Finally, Go Tonga next week

 

[El Chuckie]

I know stats don't always tell the story, but they pretty much tell the story here that we weren't good enough.

Possession: NZL 45, TGA 55
Completion rates: NZL 72%, TGA 91%
Run mtrs (PCM): NZL 1615 (558), TGA 1746 (720)
Tackle breaks: NZL 26, TGA 41
Missed tackles: NZL 41, TGA 26
Errors: NZL 12, TGA 4
Crowd: NZL 25%, TGA 75% (ours was boosted by a lot of the Tongans cheering both teams - shit they're great value)

 

[Warriorsfan92]

I know I said it last week & was given shit for it re marata but he’s extremely disappointing. His strengths are physicality & aggression but he’s got some school boy errors in him & lacks work rate. Last nights stats:

15 mins
40m
10 tackles
1 missed
2 errors

He also came on when the momentum had shifted to the kiwis & stalled any of that with two basic errors.

I’m genuinely concerned how he presents for the warriors in 2025. He’s got two years remaining on his deal at 850k, and at best is a bench player for us. Yes he’s experienced but he’s going to be fighting for a bench role. I honestly think we’re better off demoting him to the nsw cup, letting him know he’s not part of our future plans & hoping he throws his toys & someone picks up his contract, with us paying some of the freight. We’re better off using the extra 400k and using it elsewhere & upgrading our youth. I’d rather leka or laben on the bench on cheaper contracts, they honestly couldn’t do much worse & then re allocate the cap space.

 

[kos]

congrats Tonga.
First half performance was elite.
JT AFB smashing metres and every body in front of them
2nd half Nz moved the ball round utilising SJ Ice Kini Hiku well the old (ex nzw) boys got together.
We screwed up field goal attempts and squandered one opportunity
On the other hand Sj pulled off a try saving tackle.
AFB is the best prop in the game.
I thought we had that game but all credit to Tonga.

 

[Noitall]

'Completely wrong': Uproar after Kiwis dudded in rugby league Test against Tonga

Tonga have advanced to face the Kangaroos in the final instead. Read more here.

au.sports.yahoo.com

Not crying foul here but should definitely have been called not square at marker on Katoa. Seems like in the dying stages of tight games that anything goes? Certainly is in nrl, just ask TMM who nearly had his head taken off against bulldogs for no penalty. Thought the ref was an interesting appointment too. Last week we have Klein because it’s against Aussie. Yesterday we have Smith who isn’t regarded as a top ref in any circles