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Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 27 Oct 2019, 23:14
by Fumper27
Tamworth Tiger wrote: ↑27 Oct 2019, 20:52
No, I didn’t. Which ones were they and how did they qualify for Tonga?
I know there were a number in the team who qualified for Australia or New Zealand and some who were wanted by the Aussie and Kiwi national teams but chose to play for Tonga, but I didn’t realise they weren’t Tongan.
Mind you I’m struggling to think of anyone in the GB team who would chose GB if they were wanted for the Aussie national set up.
Always happy to admit I’m wrong . Let me know what the real facts are.
Jason Taumalolo was born New Zealand
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 28 Oct 2019, 02:10
by Tamworth Tiger
Thanks. Not sure that on its own necessarily determines Nationality, but OK
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 28 Oct 2019, 07:00
by jackknife
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonga_n ... eague_team
Click on the player it shows you where they were born about 80% of that Tongan team are born in new zealand or Australia and quite a few have already played for Australia (fafita tupou jennings) and new zealand (taumalolo fusitua) before deciding Tonga was for them.
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 28 Oct 2019, 09:31
by Tamworth Tiger
Thanks. That’s fair enough. What they have done is to make a choice based on their Tongan heritage e.g.Taumalalo’s parents are Tongan. He and possibly others played for Tonga some years ago but was also being courted by both NZ and Australia
I accept what you have said but it doesn’t really affect my point, that they have made a choice to commit to the country that they identify with as Tongans even if there is pressure from the ‘big two’
The Aussies that play for GB may have eligibility ( like Rangi did) but they aren’t in line to play for their home country and I need to be convinced that they have the same passion as the Tongan team
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 28 Oct 2019, 09:41
by tigerfeat
Didn't all the tongans that were playing for N.Z at the time have a big fall out with the coach and decided they'd rarther play for Tonga
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 28 Oct 2019, 13:19
by Flat Capper
Rightly or wrongly, Bennett picks winners who can play as forwards. If they make ground bringing the ball back then they'll do for him. And to be fair, both Hall and McGilvery did just that but for me, your winger also needs pace and neither of these two now have it.
Hill and Graham, for all of their past exploits, are now passed internatiional standard. Graham in particular will run his blood to water for the cause but you need a little more at this level. Hill is just sh......poor!
I'd actually swap Coote for Hardaker and have Percival in the centre with Makinson outside of him with Trueman on the bench giving options for the halves when both are playing below par.
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 28 Oct 2019, 13:49
by jackknife
Percival n Makinson both injured so id have either Hardaker or Tomkins in before Coote. Id play Connor in centre. Dont have a problem with Hastings n Widdop in halfs Trueman is probably behind those two and Austin n Williams in Bennetts pecking order but his time will come.
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 28 Oct 2019, 14:11
by mart0042
Flat Capper wrote: ↑28 Oct 2019, 13:19
Rightly or wrongly, Bennett picks winners who can play as forwards. If they make ground bringing the ball back then they'll do for him. And to be fair, both Hall and McGilvery did just that but for me, your winger also needs pace and neither of these two now have it.
Hill and Graham, for all of their past exploits, are now passed internatiional standard. Graham in particular will run his blood to water for the cause but you need a little more at this level. Hill is just sh......poor!
I'd actually swap Coote for Hardaker and have Percival in the centre with Makinson outside of him with Trueman on the bench giving options for the halves when both are playing below par.
If he's going to play 2 props as wingers then he should at least play a ball handling 13. But even that would be pointless as Hodgson wouldn't let them play either.
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 28 Oct 2019, 18:59
by Tamworth Tiger
tigerfeat wrote: ↑28 Oct 2019, 09:41
Didn't all the tongans that were playing for N.Z at the time have a big fall out with the coach and decided they'd rarther play for Tonga
My recollection was that the fallout was that they wanted to play for Tonga in the 2017 World Cup and the NZ hierarchy we’re unhappy about it but there’s probably some truth in both versions
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 29 Oct 2019, 00:08
by lurcher
you're not far off tamworth. its why it wasn't allowed to be called tonga at the weekend. they were officially tonga international invitation 13.
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 05 Nov 2019, 11:54
by Fumper27
Jack Hughes is playing in the centre this week, with Zak Hardaker moving to the wrong. Is there any wonder why we are absolutely tosh at the international game???
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 05 Nov 2019, 20:54
by lurcher
Fumper27 wrote: ↑05 Nov 2019, 11:54
Jack Hughes is playing in the centre this week, with Zak Hardaker moving to the
wrong. Is there any wonder why we are absolutely tosh at the international game???
think you meant wing but funnily enough wrong seems more apt.
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 06 Nov 2019, 10:50
by mart0042
So many players out of form and out of position. Bennett must win this week or he's got to go.
DP, wane would be the top choices for me.
DP part time, bringing back flair and the best players in their positions. I think they might have missed the boat with him though.
Making unemployed wane the option. Don't like the style but he certainly bring back the fight we are missing.
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 07 Nov 2019, 07:16
by SWISS TONY!!
Is this the same DP that plays a centre at half back and a half back at full back and a hooker at 13? Hahaha
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 07 Nov 2019, 08:48
by tigerfeat
In fairness to Bennett we were one ankle tap away from winning the last world cup ...
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 07 Nov 2019, 09:18
by Tamworth Tiger
tigerfeat wrote: ↑07 Nov 2019, 08:48
In fairness to Bennett we were one ankle tap away from winning the last world cup ...
Not quite true. A converted try would only have tied the scores at 6-6 but I agree with the sentiment
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 08 Nov 2019, 10:48
by tigerfeat
Blake Austin starting on the wing tomorrow if it wasnt a serious buisness you would have to laugh really
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 08 Nov 2019, 11:04
by mart0042
SWISS TONY!! wrote: ↑07 Nov 2019, 07:16
Is this the same DP that plays a centre at half back and a half back at full back and a hooker at 13? Hahaha
Yes that's him, he doesn't have a massive pool of players though and is salary capped.
I get your point though, do you think Bennett could get Cas in a better position over the last 4 years with the cap and our funds?
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 08 Nov 2019, 16:22
by Ladytiger
Bennett has a massive pool of players to pick from but still picks the same 13 players inform out of form the same names get picked every time . This tour has been a total embarrassment his team selection has been beyond ridiculous and there’s no excuse. The rugby league need to get and English based coach in charge if we are to be successful onthe international scene.. Brian Carneys article on sky sports is well worth a read he is spot on with his opinions
Re: Great Britain Tour
Posted: 08 Nov 2019, 17:09
by duke street 10
This series has to be the last one under Bennett.