International Pacific Championship

[snake77]

It would have been interesting if they did challenge the markers. Maybe teams should do that for field goals from now on. It would be a good challenge with the way the refs let things go late in the game.

A call for that and it getting over turned wouldn't go over well. On the weekend with the big Tongan crowd. But, even in a standard NRL game you could see a lot of muppets in the media complaining how it cost the game. Even though it is the rules.

Those tweets by the journalist are correct that they can challenge the markers?

I thought the penalty to go up to 8-0 was a bit harsh. The leg pull call. He made the tackle around the legs and was still holding them. He didn't really pull them. It was what people argue about leg tackles the ball player can get up quickly. Taumalolo was getting up while Papali'i I think it was was still holding him.

 

[Noitall]

I’d be highly pissed off if I was a cowboys fan and see Taumalolo still has those kind of performances and hardly ever get to see it on the long contract and big coin he was given. Has had a better season than the previous few but not a shadow of how played on Saturday

 

[snake77]

Even if the Kiwis were at full strength that would still have been a tough one. It is good for the international game. Especially with the way the Tongans come out to support their team. The Samoans got good support last year.

They should schedule Samoa vs Tonga at Mt Smart.

They owned us in the middle where we were at or close to full strength. The two dummy halves that are out injured may have given a bit more punch out of dummy half. Nikora would have given us a threat out wide with his hole running.

The halves (Hughes, Brown, Forgan) would have helped the attack. But we were still struggling to get into their 20.

A shame the game isn't scheduled for Mt Smart. It would have been a full house and a great atmosphere. Let's hope Sydney turns up.

 

[snake77]

I’d be highly pissed off if I was a cowboys fan and see Taumalolo still has those kind of performances and hardly ever get to see it on the long contract and big coin he was given. Has had a better season than the previous few but not a shadow of how played on Saturday

I know the rules changed a few years ago with the set restarts. That often gets brought up with Taumalolo, along with his knee.

His form drop off has coincided with Payten turning up there and trying to nurse him through his 10 year contract. That was the reason he gave for dropping his minutes as he was worried about the later years of his contract.

The rules may be part of it. As the first year they were implemented part way through while Payten was with us. After that part season and an off season teams would have adjusted.

He did look a lot better on Saturday night. He had some decent help in the Tongan pack to work alongside.

Lets see if he backs it up next week.

 

[Teets]

Matuinz
Is there a lot of Tongans in Western Sydney that will go to Parramatta stadium next Sunday?

Plenty of Tongans around Mt Druitt, Blacktown, St Marys.

They'll get a good MMT crowd in, especially for a final.

 

[Old Sid]

We only had to draw to go through so no point taking the field goal when we were 24 all.
Just had to hold them out for 7 minutes.
Got duded by that no call at the end but ultimately it was piss weak defense that cost us.

Not sure at all about that. Take the field goal with 7 to go (and the dominant team) when we were 24 all. Tonga could then not win even if they slotted a FG. They needed 2 points to go through so a penalty or a try. (Or 2 FGs o of course which would be highly unlikely.)

The Isako penalty shot was the wrong call. Kick to the 20, play out 3 or 4 tackles and slot the goal. (or a try, penalty, 6 again, drop from under the sticks etc), all using up time. Tonga were spent at that point. The miss gave them a bit extra energy.

Easy in hindsight.

 

[Bluecat]

I was away for the weekend so I just got to watch the game.
I thought we were in trouble from the sipi tau. Those guys were fired up and they meant business.
Well done MMT. I wanted the Kiwis to win of course but if I had a second team it would be Tonga. I watched them beat Aussie at Eden Park a few years ago and I loved the fans support and the emotion and the whole show. Its so powerful. Good on them

 

[VB89]

Not sure at all about that. Take the field goal with 7 to go (and the dominant team) when we were 24 all. Tonga could then not win even if they slotted a FG. They needed 2 points to go through so a penalty or a try. (Or 2 FGs o of course which would be highly unlikely.)

The Isako penalty shot was the wrong call. Kick to the 20, play out 3 or 4 tackles and slot the goal. (or a try, penalty, 6 again, drop from under the sticks etc), all using up time. Tonga were spent at that point. The miss gave them a bit extra energy.

Easy in hindsight.

I don't trust Shaun and anything to do from a Warriors coaching team to properly set up a FG attempt.

So I didn't mind the kick at goal with a good goalkicker stepping up to it.

It also gives a chance at getting the ball back if you miss (which we did anyway)

 

[WahsaurusRex]

I guess a small plus is we will get to see SJ go out a winner a second time, An all-time bed-shitting withholding.

Also, assuming Stacey isn't completely brain-dead (TBD), we will get to see McLean get a run over Hiku as well.

 

[Teets]

I guess a small plus is we will get to see SJ go out a winner a second time, An all-time bed-shitting withholding.

Also, assuming Stacey isn't completely brain-dead (TBD), we will get to see McLean get a run over Hiku as well.

Warbrick looked injured, maybe chuck him in on the wing.

 

[Zaggo]

I couldn't believe how badly we were getting out muscled in the first half. Even our big boys were getting absolutely manhandled. Very rare that you see the likes of Leo Thompson being smoked.

Of all people to turn the tide I thought big Griffin brought some real starch to the side upon his injection. No fear in that bloke.

 

[Defence]

Not sure at all about that. Take the field goal with 7 to go (and the dominant team) when we were 24 all. Tonga could then not win even if they slotted a FG. They needed 2 points to go through so a penalty or a try. (Or 2 FGs o of course which would be highly unlikely.)

The Isako penalty shot was the wrong call. Kick to the 20, play out 3 or 4 tackles and slot the goal. (or a try, penalty, 6 again, drop from under the sticks etc), all using up time. Tonga were spent at that point. The miss gave them a bit extra energy.

Easy in hindsight.

Really? so if u were up by 1 with 7 to go u would still work for another field goal? seems strange to me- the risk of handing them a 7 tackle set is too high- we just had to play the percentages and defend hard.
Also Isako had to take that shot- hes one of the best kickers in the game, it was very kickable and was for the win- imagine if we turned that down- everyone in here would being blowing up delux.

 

[juju]

The markers were definitely not square & was really obvious live...

...and it's unfathomable it wasn't picked up in the challenge.

But some how I don't mind.

 

[jonesy101]

The markers were definitely not square & was really obvious live...

...and it's unfathomable it wasn't picked up in the challenge.

But some how I don't mind.

I feel the same way as it would have been an anticlimactic way to finish the game. Would feel differently had it been against the Kangaroos though!

 

[Defence]

The markers were definitely not square & was really obvious live...

...and it's unfathomable it wasn't picked up in the challenge.

But some how I don't mind.

Yeah I’m the same- just glad we made a game of it in the end- was looking like 50 zip at one stage.

 

[juju]

Yeah I’m the same- just glad we made a game of it in the end- was looking like 50 zip at one stage.

Two of our tries were absolute beauties too.

That was a superb game.

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

I couldn't believe how badly we were getting out muscled in the first half. Even our big boys were getting absolutely manhandled. Very rare that you see the likes of Leo Thompson being smoked.

Of all people to turn the tide I thought big Griffin brought some real starch to the side upon his injection. No fear in that bloke.

I thought Leo Thompson was actually quite bad against Tonga. Rather lazy on defence, a pathetic effort when AFB scored. And he gave away the converted penalty. Not much output either. I still have faith in him, just a bad game.

Sorensen and Niukore were the REAL disappointing ones……..
Sorensen, like Thompson. Just had a really bad game (but worse)
Niukore…………. He’s a not nearly worth his pay packet. He runs a hard line, that’s it. His output is pathetic.
If Stacey wasn’t at the Warriors, does he even get selected? Dare I say, Riki would have been better. He’s WAY down the pecking order if everyone is fit.
Or is he? Coach Stacey……..

NAS may have blunted them in the first 20. But I doubt he would have started, I wouldn’t have started him.
NAS and Brandon Smith coming on around the 20min mark. May have turned it for us earlier than they did on Saturday.

 

[Defence]

I thought Leo Thompson was actually quite bad against Tonga. Rather lazy on defence, a pathetic effort when AFB scored. And he gave away the converted penalty. Not much output either. I still have faith in him, just a bad game.

Sorensen and Niukore were the REAL disappointing ones……..
Sorensen, like Thompson. Just had a really bad game (but worse)
Niukore…………. He’s a not nearly worth his pay packet. He runs a hard line, that’s it. His output is pathetic.
If Stacey wasn’t at the Warriors, does he even get selected? Dare I say, Riki would have been better. He’s WAY down the pecking order if everyone is fit.
Or is he? Coach Stacey……..

NAS may have bluntest them in the first 20. But I doubt he would have started, I wouldn’t have started him.
NAS and Brandon Smith coming on around the 20min mark. May have turned it for us earlier than they did on Saturday.

I think Leota was the forward we really missed.
Nikora would’ve added some punch too.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

I think Leota was the forward we really missed.
Nikora would’ve added some punch too.

Definitely. His aggression & speed would of been handy! Leota can be ruthless. Nas being a bully for 15 - 20 minutes. Especially when the opposition forward packs have their tails up & they see him about to come on. Like it's a we need to chill out while he's on

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

I think Leota was the forward we really missed.
Nikora would’ve added some punch too.

I don’t disagree, however Leota wasn’t really inform throughout the season, many members didn’t have him in their teams as a result. I suppose you could argue neither was NAS. But the sheer size of him almost guarantees impact.
Plus didn’t Leota sack it to AFB? lol

Definitely agree about Nikora, he’s a lock on that right edge. Move Papalii to the left for Sorensen. You’d have to assume that’s what Penrith are going to do.

Our forward stocks are actually really good. Loads of options/combos.

IMO. Tapine, is our second most important player after Jahrome Hughes.