I think the more likely reaction will be, "Rugby union sucks!!!"
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But with the inception of IPRC it will be able to infuture. We already have the Fiji Drua. No reason why they can't compete in IPRC and NRC. Ditto Tonga & Samoa - or at least a combined PI team in IPRC with other PI players spread into the asian franchises.
Personally, I don't mind which code they play. Just that I'd much prefer to see them play in our time zones and still earn what they deserve.
TBH I'm a little disappointed we didn't get one of them at NIB. Saturdays Tonga v NZ match at Waikato stadium is going to be huge. Apart from the game itself I can't wait to see if the pre-match cultural challenges can match last week's. The bloke who called that one is normally a Super Rugby commentator and in his words "We have never seen scenes like this in NZ". It really was something!
I would go back to Fiji vs Samoa doing the same thing in front of 60,000 people at Eden Park at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, but yeah this was incredible. Hopefully we see the same thing this weekend with the Haka and the Sipi Tau – the crowd should be about 50/50 and, with the NZ to Tonga defections and top spot in Pool B at stake, the atmosphere will be insane. I think part of the reason everybody is so hyped about Tonga at this tournament is that we have a genuine fourth team for the first time since probably Wales in the mid-90s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUAk...ature=youtu.be
Yeah don't know what Taumalolo gave up but the Oz players will reportedly pocket 50G each - if they win. So Fifita has surely put heritage before the mighty dollar. I think why those challenges were so riveting last week was that they seemed to be codinated. Each team doing part of their challenge then the other in turn (abt 3 each) and each time moving closer until they were almost toe to toe.
If Fiji hold their discipline, maintain completion rates and still play plenty of footy like last week, they will not be too far off the pace either.
We'll get a better idea this Friday I reckon. Fiji have been tremendous so far but the USA and Wales teams they played were garbage - Italy should at least put up a fight. The loser of Saturday's match plays Fiji instead of Lebanon in the quarters so that adds extra incentive.
I'll be there Shasta :cheers:
Bloody Mungo! :)
Turns out I’ve scored Corporate tickets :)
The Irish Team watched The Cup at :jbs: yesterday, and not a Guinness to be seen ;)