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Thread: Force tackle World Cup team

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    Immortal Contributor The InnFORCEr's Avatar
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    Force tackle World Cup team

    August 16, 2019

    The Western Force continue to gather admirers around the world including former Wallabies great and current Tongan national coach Toutai Kefu who has invited the West Australian side to the Pacific nation as they finalise their Rugby World Cup preparations.

    Kefu, who played 60 tests for Australia, including the 1999 World Cup, approached the Force after keeping tabs on the WA side during their unbeaten run in the 2019 Global Rapid Rugby Showcase.

    “To be invited to play against a national team as part of their preparations for the World Cup is a huge privilege for our players and for the club,” Force head coach Tim Sampson said.

    “Opportunities for clubs to play against national teams do not occur often.

    “The invitation to travel to Tonga highlights that the Western Force is recognised and respected throughout World Rugby and is a credit to the environment of elite performance everyone has worked hard to create here,” Sampson added.

    The match will be held at Teufaiva Sport Stadium in Tonga on Saturday, August 24. The timing of the game will be ideal for both sides with Tonga getting another tough hit out, while the Force kick start their National Rugby Championship campaign at the end of the month.

    A proud rugby nation, Sampson knows it will be a tough challenge against the ‘Ikale Tahi who will be playing their last game at home before a further two pre-World Cup matches against Fiji and the All Blacks in New Zealand.

    Tonga kicks off their World Cup campaign in Sapporo on September 22 against England and up to four players who took part in the Global Rapid Rugby competition are in contention to pull on the jersey including Leon Fukofuka, Latiume Fosita,
    Sefo Sakalia and Fotu Lokotui.

    Sampson said there was a buzz around the club as they prepared to test themselves against a side brimming with international talent.

    “We were wrapped with our performance against the Valke last Friday, it was very satisfying to see the way the group performed as we finalised out Rapid Rugby season,” Sampson said.

    “We have quickly turned our attention to tackling Tonga and know that we will need to be at our very best against a world-class side that Toutai has brought together.”

    Game details:
    Date: 24 August 2019
    Time: 10am AWST – (Tonga: 3pm)
    Location: Teufaiva Sport Stadium

    https://www.westernforce.com.au/forc...orld-cup-team/

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    80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?

    Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!

    Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!

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    Champion SPaRTAN's Avatar
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    Good news.

    Hopefully there is a broadcast. Should be considering they are playing a national side.

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    Great news!!

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    Veteran chibi's Avatar
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    Oh man! I wish they could bring this game here, what an event that would have been!


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    Last edited by chibi; 16-08-19 at 22:48.


    Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!

    Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?

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    Sport: Western Force en route to Tonga ahead of Ikale Tahi clash
    11:12 am today
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    The Western Force are en route to Tonga to join the national rugby team for a week of training before a game on Saturday as part of the Ikale Tahi's preparation for the rugby World cup in Japan.

    The Western Force celebrate a try against Tonga A.The Western Force celebrate a try against Tonga A. Photo: Facebook/Western Force
    The invitational match inspired by Tonga coach Toutai Kefu comes just a week out from the start of the Western Force's National Rugby Championship season.

    Western Force coach Tim Sampson said it would be a very special occasion for his team which includes two Tongans.

    "Obviously playing a national team is a huge honour for the club and it is something that we are really looking forward to. It doesn't happen often these days where club plays country," Sampson said.

    "They are obviously preparing well for the World Cup and we are travelling over there, we leave Monday spend eight days over there and we are going to soften them up before they travel to New Zealand."

    The Western Force play the Ikale Tahi at Teufaiva Sport Stadium on Saturday at 3pm local time.

    The fixture is a rare treat for Ikale Tahi fans who have only seen their team play at home a handful of times in the past decade.

    Sampson said it was great to play a small part in the Pacific nation's journey to the World Cup.

    "There is a big week planned ahead from what we are hearing over there. They deserve it. They are such passionate supporters and they are great to be around within rugby circles," Sampson said.

    "They are lovely people and just out and out lovely rugby so it is great for us to be part of it. But yes, we are going over there to assist them also as well with their World Cup preparation and I certainly hope they go well."

    Next month the Tongan team will fly to New Zealand to play the All Blacks in their final pre-world Cup Test on 7 September in Hamilton.
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/...ale-tahi-clash

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    Veteran chibi's Avatar
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    Wonder if they could show this on twitter/youtube?

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    Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!

    Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?

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    Champion SPaRTAN's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chibi View Post
    Wonder if they could show this on twitter/youtube?
    Dont be so negative

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    Veteran chibi's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SPaRTAN View Post
    Dont be so negative
    You'd prefer twitch tv or pornhub?

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    Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!

    Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?

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    Quote Originally Posted by chibi View Post
    You'd prefer twitch tv or pornhub?
    A facebook stream with one of the cheerleaders filming from their phone camera from the stands would suffice for me.

    I hope a stream happens. Didnt the Fiji RU put one up for Force fans who couldnt watch one of the games there? I remember something like that happen. Lets hope at the very least a network is broadcasting it and its available via a stream app service or their main website. Its a shame a heap of games got missed by us fans due to a lack of a bradcast, but ohwell next year promisses to be a stellar year for Rapid Rugby so we can look forward to that and a more structured broadcast schedule.

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    Western Force eager to take on ‘Ikale Tahi
    Wednesday, August 21, 2019 - 17:36

    Nuku'alofa, Tonga
    Photos by Linny Folau


    Western Force winger, Halauafa Lavaka with team mates at Tupou College. 21 August 2019.
    By Eleanor Gee

    Australia’s Western Force rugby team were out training today at Tupou College (Toloa) as part of their preparation leading up to Saturday’s game against the ‘Ikale Tahi in Tonga.

    The game will give the ‘Ikale Tahi more game time ahead of the Rugby World Cup next month, and assist the Force with their preparation for Australia’s National Rugby Championship next Saturday. On an international level, the Western Force are no longer part of Super Rugby but are involved in the Global Rapid Rugby competition which is played across the Asia-Pacific region.

    This is the side’s first time to play against Tonga’s national team and they are relishing the opportunity.

    Team Manager, Rhydian Lewis, told Matangi Tonga they are grateful to be invited to the kingdom.

    “The boys are really excited. It’s been a few weeks without a match now so the boys are jumping out of their skin.”

    The Western Force have two Tongan players on the team, winger Halauafa Lavaka, and hooker Feleti Kaitu’u, who is currently injured and undergoing rehabilitation.

    Halauafa, known as ‘H’ or ‘Big H’ to his fellow players, is looking forward to the game.

    “For me personally, it’s not an easy challenge especially coming up against home I guess. But I feel it’s a good experience for us, the Western Force, to obviously take the field against Tonga’s best team so I’m looking forward to it.”

    Halauafa has only been with the Western Force for just over a month now having switched rugby codes. He previously played rugby league for the Parramatta Eels and Manly Sea Eagles and also spent some time in Tonga when he served as a Latter-Day Saints missionary.

    “I’ve just joined the Force. I grew up playing rugby league but obviously switched codes, and now I’ve got an opportunity here at the Western Force and I’m taking it with both hands.”

    Even though Halauafa was born and raised in Australia, he is proud to be Tongan and would consider representing Tonga if given the chance.

    “I’m not someone that would decline an opportunity like that, especially to represent your country. For me personally, I just want to do my best for Western Force.”

    Halauafa’s mother is from Navutoka and Ovaka, and his father is from Tefisi and Leimatu’a. Feleti’s family is from Ha’apai and Kolomotu’a.

    The game kicks off at 3pm at Teufaiva Stadium on Saturday, 24 August.
    https://matangitonga.to/2019/08/21/w...ake-ikale-tahi

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  11. #11
    Player terrycobner's Avatar
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    Anyone have link to live streaming and kick off time please?

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  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by terrycobner View Post
    Anyone have link to live streaming and kick off time please?
    https://www.facebook.com/Television-...N2beL3NdzvtfgA

    starting at 10am

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    Nice long range try, and in the left hand corner!

    WF 5 - 0 TGA

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  14. #14
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    Looks pretty soggy there!

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  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jules View Post
    Looks pretty soggy there!
    Yeah, apparently the field is newly refurbed ... still water on the surface though

    Tonga in the red zone rumbling for the line ....

    and they score near the posts!

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