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'Are you proud World Rugby?': Tonga's pummelling unhealthy
The All Blacks 102-0 win over Tonga at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland has come under the spotlight as the inequalities in the global game became the talking point for fans after the massive defeat.
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Missing many European players unable to get into New Zealand and through quarantine in time, the Tongan side were forced to call upon a handful of players who had yet to play any professional rugby.
The contest was always going to be a lopsided one, but now more than ever it seems that fans are fed up with the current system that weakens the talent pool available for the Pacific Island teams.
One fan took aim at Bill Beaumont and World Rugby, asking them if they are ‘proud’ of this result.
He wrote: “You let teams around the world pilfer the Pacific Islands best players, don’t allow them to change residency and then reduce a proud nation like Tonga to a mauling.”
Many fans questioned whether either nation got anything from the match, which was described as a ‘massive self-aggrandisement’ for New Zealand Rugby and ‘horrible’ for the Pacific Islands, the game, and everyone involved.
That #NZLvTON match was USA invading Grenada. What actual benefit did either side get from it? Just massive self-aggrandisement exercise for NZ Rugby. ?Ikale Tahi And all Pacific teams deserve actual support.
— rggrblggr (@ruggerblogger) July 3, 2021
102-0. Are you proud of this @WorldRugby @BillBeaumont?
You let teams around the world pilfer the Pacific Islands best players, don’t allow them to change their residency and then reduce a proud nation like #Tonga to a mauling.
It’s quite frankly embarrassing. #NZLvTON
— James Roycroft-Davis (@jroycroft_davis) July 3, 2021
Poor Tonga, did this match really benefit either nation? #NZLvTON ?
— Dan Ley (@danley86) July 3, 2021
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102-0 does nothing for test rugby especially against Tonga’s 2nd XV. But tier one nations only worry about themselves. #NZLvTON
— Neil Fissler (@neilfissler) July 3, 2021
Not bad going, 102/0 in the morning session by the @AllBlacks. They’ll look to consolidate after lunch, and pile on the runs in the tea session. #steinlagerseries #NZLvTON
— Keba Mothoagae (@LockedDownKeba) July 3, 2021
New Zealand 102-0 Tonga. Horrible for Tonga, horrible for the Pacific Islands, horrible for rugby and generally for everyone involved. No one wants to see scorelines like that. A meaningless, sad, sorry, pointless 80 minute game. Real shame. #NZLvTON
— James Laurence (@_jameslt) July 3, 2021
One fan detailed a potential Tongan XV based on heritage and birthright that contained a host of stars playing for other nations that illustrated how competitive Tonga could potentially be.
The side contained stars such as England’s Mako and Billy Vunipola, Wallabies’ Taniela Tupou and Timani, All Blacks such as Vaea Fifita, Augustine Pulu, Shannon Frizell, and Japan’s Amanaki Mafi.
Malakai Fekitoa, who is in the process of switching his eligibility to Tonga, was also named alongside Charles Piutau who has also been trying to represent Tonga.
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Such a quality side would likely have drawn a big crowd to Mt Smart, with last night’s crowd failing to sellout to watch the All blacks play the Ikale Tahi.
How different would this game be if this was the Tongan team.
1. M. VUNIPOLA
2. T. LATU
3. T. TUPOU
4. S. TIMANI
5. V. FIFITA
6. A. MAFI
7. S. FRIZELL
8. B. VUNIPOLA
9. A. PULU
10. R. MOUNGA
11. L. FAINGA'ANUKU
12. N. LUAMAPE
13. M. FEKITOA
14. C. PIATAU
15. D. HAVILI#NZLvTGA— CarrickTalksRugby (@TalksRugby) July 3, 2021
Former All Black centre Fekitoa shared a message to his fellow Tongan compatriots, congratulating the All Blacks but stating they will rebuild and ‘be ready’ for 2023. He asked the supporters of Tongan Rugby to keep the faith.
Congratulations to the @AllBlacks brothers. Class performance ?? To my Tongan brothers. M?l? ng?ue ??We will rebuild and ready by 2023. And to all Tongans around the world. Keep the faith. We need your support ??? @officialTongaRU ??
— Malakai Fekitoa (@MalakaiFekitoa) July 3, 2021
New Zealand Rugby were in a difficult position to secure a competitive opponent for this July window, with the British & Irish Lions touring South Africa, the home nations had their resources drained.
France had scheduled to tour Australia, while Italy pulled out of coming to New Zealand. Japan had scheduled to play the Lions in Scotland and play more games in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Pacific Island teams had to wait for European players to become available, but quarantine restrictions coming into New Zealand also added extended delays for a squad to get together.
However, despite the current challenges, the systemic imbalances in the global game have long been a problem which fans are increasingly demanding change for.
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments