L'ancien All Blacks George Moala titulaire pour les Tonga
Le sélectionneur des Tonga, Toutai Kefu, a désigné son équipe pour affronter la Roumanie au Stade Pierre-Mauroy de Lille le dimanche 8 octobre.
L’ancien joueur des All Blacks George Moala devrait faire ses débuts en Coupe du Monde de Rugby à 32 ans, après avoir purgé une suspension de cinq matchs.
Moala, qui a remporté la dernière de ses quatre sélections avec les All Blacks il y a six ans, fait sa septième apparition en test sous le maillot des Tonga dans un XV de départ qui compte six changements de joueurs et un changement de position.
Moala remplace un autre ancien All Black, Malakai Fekitoa, et rejoint Pita Ahki au centre.
Ahki et l’arrière Salesi Piutau sont les seuls à avoir toujours joué pour les Tonga dans cette Coupe du Monde de Rugby, ayant disputé l’intégralité des 240 minutes de leurs matchs à ce jour.
XV de départ
1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi
2 Paula Ngauamo
3 Ben Tameifuna
4 Halaleva Fifita
5 Adam Coleman
6 Semisi Paea
7 Sione Talitui
8 Sione Vailanu
9 Sonatane Takulua (c)
10 William Havili
11 Afusipa Taumoepeau
12 Pita Ahki
13 George Moala
14 Solomone Kata
15 Salesi Piutau
Remplaçants
16 Sione Anga’aelangi
17 Paula Latu
18 Siate Tokolahi
19 Sitiveni Mafi
20 Penitoa Finau
21 Manusiu Paea
22 Patrick Pellegrini
23 Kyren Taumoefolau
L’ancien joueur des Wallabies Adam Coleman connaît sa première titularisation de la Coupe du Monde de Rugby 2023 après deux apparitions sur le banc, le lendemain de son 32e anniversaire. C’est le seul changement apporté au cinq de devant.
Un capitaine débutant
En troisième-ligne, Semisi Paea passe de numéro huit à troisième-ligne côté fermé pour accompagner le retour de Sione Vailanu.
Le joueur le plus capé et capitaine des Tonga, Sonatane Takulua, est titularisé pour la première fois du tournoi au poste de demi de mêlée, aux côtés de William Havili.
Afusipa Taumoepeau et Solomone Kata sont les seuls autres changements apportés chez les trois-quarts.
Les remplaçants de la troisième-ligne, Sione Anga’aelangi, Paula Latu et Siate Tokolahi, sont tous susceptibles de faire leurs débuts en Coupe du Monde de Rugby, tout comme le demi de mêlée Manusiu Paea et le jeune arrière polyvalent Kyren Taumoefolau, âgé de 20 ans.
L’expérimenté troisième-ligne Sitiveni Mafi pourrait connaître sa première apparition dans le tournoi s’il est appelé en sortie de banc.
La puissance de Big Ben
Le pilier Ben Tameifuna, qui abandonne son rôle de capitaine, est le seul pilier à avoir marqué deux essais dans la Coupe du Monde de Rugby de cette année. Il a effectué plus de courses avec ballon (10,7) et battu plus de défenseurs (2,7) par 80 minutes que tout autre pilier dans la compétition (min. 160 minutes jouées).
Le troisième-ligne côté ouvert Sione Havili Talitui a réalisé au moins huit plaquages de plus que n’importe quel autre joueur de la Coupe du Monde de Rugby cette année (60) ; Havili a réalisé 23 plaquages lors du dernier match des Tonga (contre l’Afrique du Sud), le plus grand nombre de plaquages réalisés par un joueur des Tonga lors d’un match de la Coupe du Monde de Rugby, dépassant les 22 plaquages qu’il avait réalisés contre l’Irlande deux semaines auparavant.
Comments on RugbyPass
Got a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
1 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
115 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI 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.
34 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
34 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.
115 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 comments