Fiji vs Maori All Blacks 3pm BST

Fiji Airways Flying Fijians (World Cup Group Pool D - Australia, Wales, Georgia, Uruguay)

1.Peni Ravai (Bordeaux-Bègles)
2. Sam Matavesi (Cornish Pirates)
3. Manasa Saulo (London Irish)
4. Albert Tuisue (London Irish)
5. Leone Nakarawa (Racing Metro 92)
6. Dominiko Waqaniburotu (Brive)
7. Semi Kunatani (Harlequins)
8. Viliame Mata (Edinburgh)
9. Frank Lomani (Melbourne rebels)
10. Ben Volavola (Racing Metro 92)
11. Eroni Sau (Edinburgh)
12. Lepani Botia (La Rochelle)
13. Waisea Nayacalevu (Stade Français)
14. Josua "The Bus" Tuisova (Toulon)
15. Alivereti Veitokani (London Irish)

16. Mesulame Dolokoto (Glasgow Warriors)
17. Eroni Mawi
18. Kalivati Tawake (Waratahs)
19. Api Ratuniyarawa (Northampton Saints)
20.Nemani Nagusa (Newcastle Falcons)
21.Henry Seniloli (Doncaster Knights)
22.Sevanaia Galala (Brive)
23 Patrick Osbourne (Kubota Spears)

Maori All Blacks

1. Ross Wright (Northland) - Ngati Whatua / Ngati Porou
2. Ash Dixon (Captain) Hawkes Bay/Highlanders - Ngati Tahinga
3. Tyrel Lomax (Tasman/Highlanders) - Ngai Tuhoe / Muaupoko
4. Isaia Walker-Leawere (Hawke’s Bay/Hurricanes) - Ngati Porou
5. Tom Franklin (Bay Of Plenty/Highlanders) - Ngati Maniapoto
6. Reed Prinsep (Canterbury/Hurricanes) - Te Rarawa
7. Mitch Karpik (Bay of Plenty/Chiefs) - Rongomaiwahine / Ngati Kahungunu
8. Akira Ioane (Auckland/Blues) - Ngapuhi / Te Whanau a Apanui
9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Taranaki/Chiefs) - Ngati Pikiao
10. Otere Black (Manawatu/ Blues) - Ngai Tuhoe / Te Whanau a Apanui / Ngati Tuwharetoa
11. Sean Wainui (Taranaki/Chiefs) - Ngai Tuhoe / Te Aitanga a Mahaki / Nga Arikikaiputahi / Ngati Porou
12. Teihorangi Walden (Taranaki/Highlanders) Te Atiawa
13. Rob Thompson (Manawatu/Highlanders) - Ngati Kahungunu / Nga Rauru
14. Shaun Stevenson (North Harbour/Chiefs) - Ngapuhi
15. Fletcher Smith * (Waikato/Hurricanes) - Ngati Kahungunu

16. Nathan Harris * (Bay Of Plenty/Chiefs) - Ngati Hikairo / Waikato Tainui
17. Haereiti Hetet * (Waikato) - Ngati Maniapoto
18. Marcel Renata (Auckland/Blues) - Ngati Whanaunga / Ngai Takoto
19. Pari Pari Parkinson (Tasman/Highlanders) - Te Whanau a Apanui
20. Whetukamokamo Douglas  (Canterbury/Crusaders) - Ngati Porou / Ngati Whakaue
21. Bryn Hall (North Harbour/Crusaders) - Ngati Ranginui
22. Alex Nankivell * (Tasman/Chiefs) - Ngapuhi
23. Jordan Hyland * (Northland) - Ngai Tahu

RWC Friendlies begin this weekend (although Uruguay lost 21 - 41 to Spain a few weeks back) with Fiji vs Maori All Blacks double header (return fixture in Rotorua aka stinky, volcanic, mud pool town) on the 20th. Could be of interest for Wales and Australia fans as they'll both have Fiji in their RWC pool. Fiji will then go on to play in the Pacific Nations cup against Japan, Canada and Samoa (but not Tonga?). That is 5 decent fixtures for the Flying Fijians in the build up to the RWC but Wales and Australia will obviously prove a big step up come September.

Fiji have a very string squad and some big ball carriers to compliment their fluid, offloading style of attack. Their defence may be an issue however and I am curious to see if they can sure it up a bit against the MAB's.

They aren’t playing Tonga? Sam Lousi and Ma’afu Fia have been added to the Tonga squad for the PNC. Tonga’s backs don’t seem too flashy on paper, but their forwards look pretty good.

No I don't think so. It seems like each side plays 3 fixtures each. Interesting way of doing it but I guess the schedule is tight.

Sam Lousi looks some player! Agree with you on the pack, it's just a shame the Islanders often have very leaky defences and lack of discipline (presumably due to lack of time together and having to gel quite fast).

Fiji have been doing some pretty arduous training sessions on the beach and sand dunes during the lead up to this game. Expecting a fit Fiji side to show up on Saturday, could be a very open game.

These two games against the Maori will be a really good hit out for the Fijian squad. I love the way the Maori are playing more games against tier 2 and even tier 3 nations now.

27-10 to Fiji. With Fiji having a really good warm up schedule for this WC, they really could be lethal.

The lead-up to the 32nd minute try is something to behold.

Yes very strong Fiji side, full of running and big hits, great long range try.

I would love to see Fiji have a great tournament, brilliant skills playing the game it should be played.

I think Fiji v Scotland would make a great final

bsando wrote:No I don't think so. It seems like each side plays 3 fixtures each. Interesting way of doing it but I guess the schedule is tight.

Sam Lousi looks some player! Agree with you on the pack, it's just a shame the Islanders often have very leaky defences and lack of discipline (presumably due to lack of time together and having to gel quite fast).

Fiji have been doing some pretty arduous training sessions on the beach and sand dunes during the lead up to this game. Expecting a fit Fiji side to show up on Saturday, could be a very open game.

When did you see Lousi play? He’s played RL and successfully switched codes and gone on to Super Rugby so I think he’ll be very good actually. A lock forward who can probably do a bit of everything. I’m not sure about Samoa but I think Fiji and Tonga will be very good in the World Cup.

Tonga squad

Forwards

Paea Fa’anunu (Castres, FR), Siegfried Fisi’ihoi (Stade Francais, FR), Toma Taufa (Bayonne, FR), Paul Ngauamo (Agen, FR), Elvis Taione (Exeter Chiefs, UK), Sefo Sakalia (Asia Pacific Dragons, SG), Ma’afu Fia (Ospreys, UK), Siua Halanukonuka (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Ben Tameifuna (Racing 92), Leva Fifita (Grenoble, FR), Onehunga Havili (Exeter Chiefs, UK), Sam Lousi (Hurricanes, NZ), Steve Mafi (Castres, FR), Zane Kapeli (Bay of Plenty, NZ), Fotu Lokotui (Kagifa Samoa, WS), Nasi Manu (Benetton Treviso, IT), Sione Vailanu (Saracens, UK), Ma’ama Vaipulu (Castres, FR)

Backs

Sami Fisilau (Auckland Marist, NZ), Leon Fukofuka (Kagifa Samoa, WS), Tane Takulua (Newcastle Falcons, UK), Otumaka Mausia (Auckland, NZ), Siale Piutau (Bristol Bears, UK), Nafi Tuitavake (Northampton Saints, UK), Viliami Lolohea (Papatoetoe, NZ), Afa Pakalani (Eastwood, AU), Cooper Vuna (Bath, UK), Tevita Halaifonua (Coventry, UK), Fetuli Paea (Tasman, NZ)

Good result for Fiji.  They have the most NH based players which is why they are the best of the 3 teams.  All the PIs can do attacking rugby and have plenty of power.  They don't have discipline and defence which is glossed over in the SH teams.

Players like Mata (or any of their NH stars) can do all the fancy stuff, but having been at Edinburgh can now do the organised defence and be disciplined in tight games and when they don't have the ball.

Samoa who had the least NH based players of the 3 at the last world cup and most likely will at this one is also the poorest.  While SR and Mitre 10 are good competitions they don't help the PIs be more rounded in terms of skills.

Add in that Fiji have had NH coaches in the 7s since 2013 which is were alot of their players come from helps.

Brendan wrote:Good result for Fiji.  They have the most NH based players which is why they are the best of the 3 teams.  All the PIs can do attacking rugby and have plenty of power.  They don't have discipline and defence which is glossed over in the SH teams.

Players like Mata (or any of their NH stars) can do all the fancy stuff, but having been at Edinburgh can now do the organised defence and be disciplined in tight games and when they don't have the ball.

Samoa who had the least NH based players of the 3 at the last world cup and most likely will at this one is also the poorest.  While SR and Mitre 10 are good competitions they don't help the PIs be more rounded in terms of skills.

Add in that Fiji have had NH coaches in the 7s since 2013 which is were alot of their players come from helps.

Samoa nearly beat scotland in 2015, fiji beat only uruguay. Thats makes them worse does it?

Samoa have most of their squad in the NH as well.  They had 25 from the NH, as did Tonga, so no, basically all three countries have had their players swiped by NH clubs, and probably why they dont qualify anymore.

A large number of them were born in NZ. Fiji and Samoa are on a par, not a lot to separate them though fiji are stronger in terms of key individuals.

A win over NZ maori in fiji isnt as great as it seems to being made out here. Only one player was considered for the wider AB squad, so given the large number of non maori to also not make the squad, this would probably represent a forth or fifth NZ side, something a first side of players playing prem rugby should handle.

If anything, the NH has stunted their abilities at the top level.samoas best results were 91,95. Fijis 87 and 2007. Tonga has yet to do anything if note.

How does that represent recent NH exposure do you think?

You might ‘perceive’ its all nice and dandy, but the reality is is very different. NH based sides, which now include the three PI sides, lacked what it takes to compete in the tournament, and may do again.

Samoa beat Australia in Sydney in 2011. They seem to have gone backwards lately though.

With all three PI sides based in the NH its ridiculous. Theyre not even playing the style of rugby thats familiar to them, so they revel in getting back together again. They get a living, so theyre not complaining but it leaves, as usual, others to develop their up and comers, who have other role models in Aus and NZ to aspire to. They might trouble the lesser NH sides in the World cup, as theyre more predictable for them, but vs the top three SH sides theyll struggle, as well as vs Ireland, wales or england, though a one off there from one of them is probably going to happe in one match this year

Collapse2005 wrote:Samoa beat Australia in Sydney in 2011. They seem to have gone backwards lately though.

They also beat Wales in Cardiff in 2012. Tonga beat France and Scotland in 2011 and 2012 and also Italy in 2016. Samoa and Tonga's form will always fluctuate drastically as they rely on players making themselves eligible. Fiji have a more solid foundation with the likes of the Drua and various French academies in the country giving local players opportunities.

More correctly as their clubs allow them to be available. Its common knowledge clubs are all but threatening them to not make use of the trst windows in some cases.

Taylorman wrote:

Brendan wrote:Good result for Fiji.  They have the most NH based players which is why they are the best of the 3 teams.  All the PIs can do attacking rugby and have plenty of power.  They don't have discipline and defence which is glossed over in the SH teams.

Players like Mata (or any of their NH stars) can do all the fancy stuff, but having been at Edinburgh can now do the organised defence and be disciplined in tight games and when they don't have the ball.

Samoa who had the least NH based players of the 3 at the last world cup and most likely will at this one is also the poorest.  While SR and Mitre 10 are good competitions they don't help the PIs be more rounded in terms of skills.

Add in that Fiji have had NH coaches in the 7s since 2013 which is were alot of their players come from helps.

Samoa nearly beat scotland in 2015, fiji beat only uruguay. Thats makes them worse does it?

Samoa have most of their squad in the NH as well.  They had 25 from the NH, as did Tonga, so no, basically all three countries have had their players swiped by NH clubs, and probably why they dont qualify anymore.

A large number of them were born in NZ. Fiji and Samoa are on a par, not a lot to separate them though fiji are stronger in terms of key individuals.

You might ‘perceive’ its all nice and dandy, but the reality is is very different. NH based sides, which now include the three PI sides, lacked what it takes to compete in the tournament, and may do again.

Interestingly, T-man, of the Fijian 23 side named against the Maori NZ, one was born in Cornwall, another in Australia, and the remainder in Fiji, from what I can see. 21 of their RWC 38-man training squad play for clubs in France, England, Scotland.

Of the Tongan squad named above of 29 players, 11 were born in NZ. 19 of the Tongan squad play for clubs in France, England and Wales. The remainder in Japan, NZ, Samoa, Australia.

19 of the 33-man Samoan squad named for the Pacific Nations Cup last month play in clubs in France, Wales and England.

What's also notable is that a number of the players in the squads are playing for lower division clubs - ITM, Drua, ANC, Championship, ProD2.

Yes haven't looked at the make up of the current squad but its worst case scenario for these sides particularly if thats the case.

They're all over the place, understandable given they have no local leagues in the PI's but at least most of the ABs play in NZ, most of the Irish team in Ireland, etc etc across most of the main sides, and even Argie is now mostly in Super rugby.

Getting the side together, understanding where each individual is at in terms of fitness, playing style etc it must be so difficult to manage. But the mere fact they're back with they're own will ensure theyre at least competitive, but in terms of any World cup consistency? Only good for the odd upset.

I actually watched this game, and whilst Fiji played some stunning rugby, their set pieces left a lot to be desired, which is where they are let down a lot of the time.

Yes they scored some beautiful tries, yes they look very easy on they eye with the ball in hand, but they seemed to ebb off towards the end of the game, and their scrum was under a lot pressure, as were their line outs, and this was against a side, where usually I recognise some of the players, but this Maori side was totally alien to me.

Not to take anything away from Fiji though, great result for them.

Well a great start for Fiji! Just saw the highlights but if as LD says, their set piece was still a bit ropey and scrum not so good, they may be under a bit more pressure against Japan in the PNC. Still, a fir twin over the MAB in 60 years is pretty damn impressive! Look forward to the return fixture.

Just to Clarify my point squad was the last world cup. As some of our NZ people pointed out Samoa was heavily based in NZ rugby.

Going by world rankings and many results over the last 4 years Samoa is well behind Tonga who is well behind Fiji.

My point is the PIs get their weaknesses worked on in the NH more than they would in the SH which is defence and discipline.. Just like some would agree that SH coaches work on NH teams weaknesses of non scripted attacking rugby

Brendan wrote:Just to Clarify my point squad was the last world cup.  As some of our NZ people pointed out Samoa was heavily based in NZ rugby.

Going by world rankings and many results over the last 4 years Samoa is well behind Tonga who is well behind Fiji.

My point is the PIs get their weaknesses worked on in the NH more than they would in the SH which is defence and discipline..  Just like some would agree that SH coaches work on NH teams weaknesses of non scripted attacking rugby

The PIs get their weaknesses worked on in the SH, the problem is most of them end up being capped by New Zealand or Australia. At one stage recently, Australia had 8 Fijians in their squad and have capped more since.

The Arnold’s and Alaalatoa’s of the world would probably make a big difference to the country of their fathers. There does seem to an increase of these guys in Australia these days so can’t exactly say it’s the NH always poaching them.

mikey_dragon wrote:The Arnold’s and Alaalatoa’s of the world would probably make a big difference to the country of their fathers. There does seem to an increase of these guys in Australia these days so can’t exactly say it’s the NH always poaching them.

Thats true, but Oz are also going through a similar settlement of PI's in Oz that NZ went through in the 80's and since. Many are moving to Oz from NZ to live, and unlike the NH, not purely for sporting purposes. Whole PI communities, churches etc exist in suburban Oz.

But certainly, remove the Oz based PI's from the Wallabies and they wouldnt the make top 10 rankings. A recent poll had the top three most likely selections as PI players, Folau would have been no. 4.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Brendan wrote:Just to Clarify my point squad was the last world cup.  As some of our NZ people pointed out Samoa was heavily based in NZ rugby.

Going by world rankings and many results over the last 4 years Samoa is well behind Tonga who is well behind Fiji.

My point is the PIs get their weaknesses worked on in the NH more than they would in the SH which is defence and discipline..  Just like some would agree that SH coaches work on NH teams weaknesses of non scripted attacking rugby

The PIs get their weaknesses worked on in the SH, the problem is most of them end up being capped by New Zealand or Australia. At one stage recently, Australia had 8 Fijians in their squad and have capped more since.

I think they get their weaknesses worked on by both the NH and SH. The two styles are complementary. I'm just not sure the result is necessarily more the complete player or just confusion...or both.

Brendan wrote:Just to Clarify my point squad was the last world cup.  As some of our NZ people pointed out Samoa was heavily based in NZ rugby.

Going by world rankings and many results over the last 4 years Samoa is well behind Tonga who is well behind Fiji.

My point is the PIs get their weaknesses worked on in the NH more than they would in the SH which is defence and discipline..  Just like some would agree that SH coaches work on NH teams weaknesses of non scripted attacking rugby

Yet another generalisation. Defence and Discipline?
Looking at the 2015 world cup, the last time both the NH and SH teams were able to front on an equal basis, who had all the defence and discipline? In the quarters 19 tries to (correction) seven was scored by the SH teams over the north. Thats reflective of the NH defence is it?

You might look at a Super rugby match and see tries being scored a lot but interpreting that as NH has better defence is hardly reliable. Our teams can score against eachother in that way, doesnt mean yours can.

And you might say, oh but what about all the matches since 2015? Yes theres that, but thats hardly reflective of the general NH scene. Oz and SA rugby has been depleted and have been asked to spread their thinner resources across a wide calendar, at both ends of the globe, club and country.

The world cup is where things are best judged, and although I expect improvement by the northern teams, Id also expect the SH ones to front better than they have last three years.

Im not that confident for the PI teams again, theyve regressed dure to NH influence, they will struggle vs the SH sides up front and will be matched in the backs. Something NH sides arent able to do as easily. Buttheyll also struggle against the north, after all, theyre playing 'their' rugby.

None of the PI teams won a single significant match, winning only three...vs USA, Namibia and Uruguay.

All NH based teams, none successful.

Samoa were not NZ based. This is their squad from 2015. One based in NZ, the rest by far in the NH.
Ole AveiFrance Bordeaux Bègles
Manu Leiataua Aurillac
Motu Matu'u Hurricanes
Viliamu Afatia Agen
Jake Grey Samoa SCOPA
Census JohnstonFrance Toulouse
Anthony PereniseBristol
Sakaria TaulafoStade Français
Filo Paulo Benetton Treviso
Joe Tekori Toulouse
Kane ThompsonNewcastle Falcons
Maurie Fa'asavalu Oyonnax
Alafoti Faosiliva Bath
Jack Lam  Bristol
Faifili Levave FUnattached
Ofisa Treviranus London Irish
TJ IoaneSale Sharks
Sanele Vavae Tuilagi Carcassonne
Vavao AfemaiVaiala
Kahn Fotuali'i Northampton Saints
Patrick Fa'apaleVaiala
Tusi PisiSuntory Sungoliath
Michael Stanley Unattached
Rey Lee-Lo Cardiff Blues
Johnny LeotaSale Sharks
Paul Perez South Africa Sharks
George PisiNorthampton Saints
Fa'atoina Autagavaia Nevers
Ken PisiNorthampton Saints
Alesana Tuilagi Newcastle Falcons
Tim Nanai-Williams Ricoh Black Rams

Taylorman wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:The Arnold’s and Alaalatoa’s of the world would probably make a big difference to the country of their fathers. There does seem to an increase of these guys in Australia these days so can’t exactly say it’s the NH always poaching them.

Thats true, but Oz are also going through a similar settlement of PI's in Oz that NZ went through in the 80's and since. Many are moving to Oz from NZ to live, and unlike the NH, not purely for sporting purposes. Whole PI communities, churches etc exist in suburban Oz.

But certainly, remove the Oz based PI's from the Wallabies and they wouldnt the make top 10 rankings. A recent poll had the top three most likely selections as PI players, Folau would have been no. 4.

I didn’t know, but knew there were a hell of a lot of samoans in Auckland. I also thought NZ’ers and PI’s we’re heading from NZ to Aus though not the other way around.

Yeah that’s a good point. Regardless of whether you dislike him or not Folau would probably be number 1.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:The Arnold’s and Alaalatoa’s of the world would probably make a big difference to the country of their fathers. There does seem to an increase of these guys in Australia these days so can’t exactly say it’s the NH always poaching them.

Thats true, but Oz are also going through a similar settlement of PI's in Oz that NZ went through in the 80's and since. Many are moving to Oz from NZ to live, and unlike the NH, not purely for sporting purposes. Whole PI communities, churches etc exist in suburban Oz.

But certainly, remove the Oz based PI's from the Wallabies and they wouldnt the make top 10 rankings. A recent poll had the top three most likely selections as PI players, Folau would have been no. 4.

I didn’t know, but knew there were a hell of a lot of samoans in Auckland. I also thought NZ’ers and PI’s we’re heading from NZ to Aus though not the other way around.

Yeah that’s a good point. Regardless of whether you dislike him or not Folau would probably be number 1.

Sorry, I meant NZ to Oz. PIs have simply tagged on to the general drift into oz that theres always been. I think that will start slowing though. The oz economic situation isnt as great as it used to be.