1
Tonga : on prend les mêmes contre l'Ecosse
Le XV qui avait débuté la rencontre face à l’Irlande (défaite 59-16) a été reconduit dans son intégralité et le banc présentera deux nouvelles têtes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Toutai Kefu n’a procédé à aucun changement dans son XV titulaire, mais il intègre deux nouveaux joueurs sur le banc : les deuxième ligne Adam Coleman et Pat Pellegrini.
XV de départ
1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi
2 Paula Ngauamo
3 Ben Tameifuna (cap)
4 Halaleva Fifita
5 Sam Lousi
6 Tanginoa Halaifonua
7 Sione Talitui
8 Vaea Fifita
9 Augustine Pulu
10 William Havili
11 Afusipa Taumoepeau
12 Pita Ahki
13 Malakai Fekitoa
14 Solomone Kata
15 Salesi Piutau
Remplaçants
16 Sam Moli
17 Tau Koloamatangi
18 Sosefo Apikotoa
19 Adam Coleman
20 Semisi Paea
21 Sione Vailanu
22 Sonatane Takulua
23 Patrick Pellegrini
Les Tonga sont l’équipe ayant donné leur première sélection au plus grand nombre de joueurs en Coupe du Monde de Rugby. S’il entre en jeu, Coleman deviendra le 22e dans ce cas.
Coleman a connu 38 sélections avec les Wallabies avant de changer de pays en vertu du principe du droit de naissance pour le changement de fédération. Sa dernière apparition sous le maillot australien remonte au quart de finale perdu contre l’Angleterre lors de la RWC 2019. Finau Maka et Enele Taufa sont les derniers Tongiens à avoir connu leurs débuts en sélection lors d’une Coupe du Monde de Rugby, en 2007.
Pellegrini, 23 ans, fait partie des options au poste de demi d’ouverture des Tonga depuis la blessure au mollet d’Otumaka Mausia lors de l’entraînement juste avant la défaite de son équipe face à l’Irlande.
La décision de Kefu de reconduire la même équipe que lors du match face à l’Irlande fait que Sonatane Takulua fait sa deuxième apparition consécutive sur le banc. Une première depuis neuf ans et ses débuts internationaux.
ADVERTISEMENT
Takulua est le seul joueur des « Ikale Tahi » à avoir atteint les 50 sélections. Il a connu sa 50e face au Japon au mois de juillet.
Le XV de départ compte quatre anciens All Blacks : l’arrière Salesi Piutau, le trois-quarts centre Malakai Fekitoa, le demi de mêlée Augustine Pulu et le troisième ligne centre Vaea Fifita.
À l’instar du joueur de l’Écosse Jack Dempsey, Fekitoa pourrait devenir le deuxième joueur de l’histoire à inscrire un essai pour deux pays différents en Coupe du Monde de Rugby, après Frank Bunce (Samoa/Nouvelle-Zélande). Fekitoa a franchi la ligne contre la Namibie et la Géorgie lors de la RWC 2015.
Les Tonga seront à nouveau menés par un capitaine international néo-zélandais, Ben Tameifuna. Le pilier droit n’a jamais connu de sélection pour les All Blacks.
Âgé de 32 ans, il a mené les Tonga quatre fois avant de connaître sa première défaite en tant que capitaine face à l’Irlande.
ADVERTISEMENT
Tameifuna formera, avec le pilier gauche Siegfried Fisi’ihoi et le talonneur Paula Ngauamo, une première ligne massive qui approche les 400 kilos sur la balance (387).
Le troisième ligne aile Sione Havili Talitui a été le seul joueur à réaliser plus de 20 plaquages lors du deuxième week-end de la compétition. Il a totalisé 22 réalisations et n’a manqué qu’une seule tentative.
Sam Lousi a quant à lui réussi l’intégralité de ses 16 plaquages.
Comments on RugbyPass
I don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
31 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
31 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
11 Go to commentsHiding coming up for Saders.
1 Go to commentsDagg really does go down some rabbit holes doesnt he? In the name I guess.
6 Go to commentsHey Brett I’m one who is looking forward to seeing JS back on the rugby field. I was under the impression that a large portion of his contract was via a third party so RA isn’t having to foot the bill My big concern is around the Tahs and what is happening there, why are so many players bailing. Is it the program, the coaches or the culture. Joe Schmidt recently said he had been at the Tahs all week and DC is a good coach. Something doesn’t gel , 10 front row forwards in a season that’s not bad luck
16 Go to commentsIncorrect title. He hasn’t said Furlong is one of the best scrummagers. He said he is one of the best props.
2 Go to comments“_It seems like a crazy thing that he was counting them_“ Are you stupid, mate? Anyone with more than half a brain understands that he meant “a lot” or something similar. Do you really think he was counting? “*Goode*: Told you, Jim!“ No, you banana. You said, explicitly, that the Irish players didn’t say what EE said they did. Even though you weren’t there. Even though you didn’t hear a word they said. M0r0n.
111 Go to commentsI am sure that Scott Robertson did do the courtesy of telling Sam Cane that he was not in his All Black plans and NZR would support him if he wished to sign a lucrative pension playing out his career in the cream puff rugby that is Japan’s Top League. I fail to see this as a negative as Israel Dagg is trying to spin it. Razor allowed Cane to leave with dignity rather than being unceremoniously dumped as was Buck Shelford.
6 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to commentsAT THE END OF THE DAY THE TEAM WITH 4 WORLD CUPS WILL ALWAYS GET TO TELL THE OTHER NATION TO SUCK MY BALLS. THIS IS A SCIENTIFIC AND IRREFUTABLE FACT.
111 Go to commentsWish him and his family the best in his retirement from International rugby and into the future.
1 Go to commentsSelf proclaimed expert/pundit Andy Goode and his very personal views on referees…Why recalling them in such an article as if he were an undisputed authority on the subject ? Only because fellow writer ?
1 Go to comments