Tongan coach names NSW Origin stars in his squad to play NZ
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf has named Kotoni Staggs and Daniel Tupou in his squad for their upcoming Test with New Zealand in Auckland despite the duo playing for NSW in Origin I.
Tupou and Staggs were the two most notable selections in a 25-man squad announced by Woolf on Wednesday, with other Blues contenders Siosifa Talakai, Keaon Koloamatangi and Haumole Olakau’atu also called up.
The pair have until Sunday to make a choice between Tonga or the Blues, should they be selected by NSW coach Brad Fittler.
“What we don’t wish to happen is that players who have this dual eligibility are not picked in one squad and then miss out on being available to play in another team,” said Woolf, who has named Staggs at five-eighth for next Saturday’s game at Mt Smart Stadium.
“If as many of our players as possible are playing representative football next week the stronger our World Cup squad will be.”
The squad is rounded out by some of Tonga’s most experienced campaigners including Jason Taumalolo, Addin Fonua-Blake and Tevita Pangai Jr.
Woolf has been unable to get time away from his club duties with St Helens and will hand the reins to Dean Young and Wayne Bennett as they take on a New Zealand side coached by Michael Maguire.
The game, which will be Maguire’s first since his sacking by the Wests Tigers this month, could result in Ronaldo Mulitalo making his international debut.
The Auckland-born winger found himself at the centre of an eligibility storm last year when he was told 24 hours out from his debut for the Maroons that he didn’t pass the criteria to play for Queensland.
Maguire has opted to overlook Shaun Johnson after his underwhelming return to the Warriors this season, with Dylan Brown, Jahrome Hughes and Kieran Foran jockeying for a role in the halves.
Brisbane’s Te Maire Martin, who only made his return from a bleed on the brain this season, could also be a playmaking option.
Alongside Brown and Mulitalo, Marata Niukore, Jordan Riki, Scott Sorensen, Griffin Neame, Moses Leota and Erin Clark are all chances to play for New Zealand for the first time.
The Test is the first professional game of rugby league in New Zealand since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This squad has an exciting mix of fresh talent and experienced Kiwis having some of their best seasons,” Maguire said.
“Some difficult decisions have had to be made, but it’s a positive sign of our depth in certain positions.”
KIWIS SQUAD:
Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich, Dylan Brown, Erin Clark, James Fisher-Harris, Kieran Foran, Peta Hiku, Jahrome Hughes, Moses Leota, Isaac Liu, Joseph Manu, Te Maire Martin, Ken Maumalo, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Griffin Neame, Briton Nikora, Marata Niukore, Isaiah Papalii, Jordan Rapana, Jordan Riki, Brandon Smith, Scott Sorensen, Joseph Tapine, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
TONGA SQUAD
Talatau Amone, Andrew Fifita, Addin Fonua-Blake, Moeaki Fotuaika, Siliva Havili, Tevita Pangai, Eliesa Katoa, Isaiya Katoa, Sione Katoa, Keaon Koloamatangi ,Tolotau Koula, Soni Luke, Joe Ofahengaue, Haumole Olakau’Atu, Will Penisini, Kotoni Staggs, Moses Suli, Siosifa Talakai, Tevita Tatola, Siosiua Taukieaho, Jason Taumalolo, Starford To’A, Christian Tuipulotu, Daniel Tupou, Sitili Tupouniua
Comments on RugbyPass
That loss to the Blues still stings! The Reds have fallen short in 4 of the 6 games decided by 7 points or fewer. Are they not fit enough to close out the close games or are there tactical issues when games go down to the wire? The pleasing thing is no Australian side can better the Reds record of 3 wins from 5 against Kiwi sides but the Brumbies can match it. Les Kiss has instilled a belief in the Reds that they can match it with all the New Zealand sides.
32 Go to commentsA potential 5th star for Leinster and redemption adter losing 2 tight finals against La Rochelle against Toulouse and the chance for Jacques Nienaber to have some success without Rassie Erasmus running the show.
4 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and welcome back 😁 Vulavalu does look better this year, and about time. I suspect Schmidt will knock the hubris out of him. That one handed put down was so embarrassing. Mind you, I had thought Kiss would deal with that. Leaving aside the different games and skills, in NRL he had a very good (but no bullshit) type of coach in Bellamy, something he hasn't had in Union until this year. Bellamy would have roasted him unmercifully for an unprofessional put down.
32 Go to commentsYou’d think the first step would be taking responsibility for the stupid sh*t you did and to stop blaming other people. Does he seriously think that people believe him when he says it just magically got into his system without him knowing anything about it? You’re gonna notice if you’re on the juice, bruh.
2 Go to commentsI watch the Reds now, and many of their players, and think back to watching London Irish in their last two years under Michael Kiss. I recall Nick Phipps looking a very competent scrumhalf, Rob Simmons a lynch pin in the lineouts. Both men writen off by many on the rugby sites. There is no question in my mind that Kiss has a very different touch to any coach the Reds have had in years. It will take time, but this team could develop into a very good team, hard to beat by any one down here in the SH. You highlight two players especially, Nick. Vunivalu and Paisami are thriving this year, especially the latter. And so many others. The now heavier Fraser McReight, his great mate Harry Wilson, and the “Fardy” man, Liam Wright. That is only three, ut in reality every player is acroos the whole squad is the better for the new regime.
32 Go to commentsRecord Score Downloading…………..
1 Go to commentsWonderful insightful interview with Crusader Johnny McNicoll. He was exceptional in the wins over the Chiefs and Rebels and I am sure he will get a contract again for 2025. He was an excitement machine for Canterbury and the Crusaders in 2011-16 and he still is. He has added to the attack particularly. Had a fine career with Wales in the intervening years.
1 Go to commentsAmazing what decent coaching can do! I always felt Folau never improved much as a player and never had a great coach using his talents. Suli seems different at qld this year.
32 Go to commentsI’m sick to death of waiting 3 years for league players to become half decent. It cripples Australian rugby in the meantime. The Reds actually looked half competent without Vunivalu not starting last week. He’s just a liability of errors. Paisami is looking better than he has in previous years but I’d have Kerevi back in a flash. A kiwi wont tho …...
32 Go to commentsExcellent analysis Nick as we have come to expect. I was not really aware that NFL strategies have been adopted by rugby teams, especially in defence. One point I would make is that the Northhampton attacking player on the end of the chain in the video examples has not maintained the correct depth to be effective. In the footage shown the outside player is too flat to make the best of the opportunity his inside players have provided. In each case they have to reduce speed and turn their body backwards to secure the ball, losing all momentum and giving the impressive scrambling defence the chance to shut down the threat.
4 Go to commentsMorning, John. Do you think that it may be a good idea to rest both teams from the Madrid comp leading in to the Olympics
2 Go to comments« I am preparing myself for much more, something much bigger. I’m focussing on the next cycle, » You don’t say…
2 Go to commentsGeez plenty of time to come right before test season starts. Dont panic mr Mannering!!!!!
1 Go to commentsGreat read Nick. The Reds really have been great to watch this year, and the improvement of not only the players you mention, but the squad in general has been obvious. The Reds 10/12 play making axis is a nice counterpoint to the 10/15 partnership at the Brumbies and Rebels. If Schmidt was to pick say, Lolesio, Paisami and Wright / Kellaway, would this be too many play makers? I notice in a lot of those clips Tim Ryan playing across the field in support of Vunivalu. Is this a feature of Kiss’s structure?
32 Go to commentsSo sad, god rest him. Too young to be gone. RIP
2 Go to commentsRIP big man 🙏
2 Go to commentsThe GB coach. “Just because we don’t get together as much as other teams we don’t use that as an excuse for performances when we don’t hit the mark”. Why mention it at all then?
1 Go to commentsNo mention of the yellow card for Harlequins which really cost them.
5 Go to commentsThought you’d left us Nick. Good to have you back writing for us. So hunter ikitau works? I reckon wright kellaway as two of the back 3. Tim Ryan and Toole looking good for strike winger but I still want the power of korobeiti and figure our forwards still need him to help them out. Million dollar question is who plays 10? I’m thinking Noah for his kicking and combo with wright. Reckon the pair adds up to an attack and kellaway will help. Can you comment on Zac Lucas in Japan? How is he going?
32 Go to commentsMack Hansen, Ethan Roots, Taine Plumbtree, Louis Lynagh, Emmanuel Meafou? Which country do you want to pick your Barbarians from?
3 Go to comments