Results 1 to 13 of 13
  1. #1
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Brisbane / HK
    Posts
    39,139

    Default 2022 Pacific Tests: NZ v Tonga / Cook Islands v Samoa / PNG v Fiji

    Mid-season Tests to kick start World Cup campaigns for Pacific nations
    https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/04/28/...cific-nations/

    Pacific nations are set to kick start their World Cup campaigns in June when they take the field in the first Tests played in the Southern Hemisphere since 2019.

    New Zealand will host Tonga in Auckland, while Samoa meet Cook Islands and Fiji face Papua New Guinea in a Pacific Test double-header at Campbelltown Stadium on June 25.

    The Tests will take place during the NRL’s stand-alone representative round, which features the women’s State of Origin in Canberra on June 24 and Game II of the men’s series between NSW and Queensland in Perth on June 26.

    Besides providing an important opportunity for the six nations to prepare for the end-of-season World Cup in England, the Tests will also have a significant bearing on player eligibility for the tournament.

    While the likes of Junior Paulo, Jarome Luai and Xavier Coates will be able to play Origin and still represent their Pacific heritage at the World Cup, players are no longer able to swap between nations in the same year.

    The new rule will prevent 11th hour defections, like that of Jason Taumololo, Andrew Fifita, David Fusitu’a and Siosiua Taukeiaho from New Zealand and Australia to Tonga at the 2017 World Cup.

    It will mean that the likes of Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo would be unable to play for New Zealand in the mid-season Test and then choose to represent Samoa at the World Cup if left out of the Kiwis squad.

    However, the likes of Cronulla centre Siosifa Talakai, Brisbane’s Kotoni Staggs or Penrith’s Stephen Crichton could still represent NSW in the upcoming Origin series and play for Tonga or Samoa at the World Cup.

    Similar eligibility rules have been introduced ahead of the women’s and wheelchair World Cups to be played alongside the men’s tournament in England at the end of the year.

    The Kiwi Ferns will also warm-up for the World Cup with a Test against Tonga in a double-header at Mt Smart Stadium on June 25.

    It will be the first time the two nations have met in a women's Test since the 2008 World Cup and th

    The Kiwis will enter the World Cup as the No.1 ranked men’s team, while Tonga’s last Test was an historic 16-12 defeat of the Kangaroos at Eden Park in November 2019

    Tonga also defeated Great Britain in 2019, and shocked New Zealand on home soil in the 2017 World Cup.

    "We are excited about the opportunity to represent the proud nation of Tonga for the first time since the successful campaign against Australia and Great Britain back in 2019,” Tonga coach Kristian Woolf said.

    “This opportunity has been a long time coming, so we can’t wait to face the Kiwis again. This will be an important match for us as we look to reunite the team, and also give some of our young players a chance to represent their country ahead of the World Cup.”

    ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys said the Representative Round would celebrate the re-birth of the international game following the COVID-19 Pandemic.

    “The Commission has made it clear that growing international rugby league would be a priority and we are delivering on that promise.

    "Representative Round will provide a return to the excitement and national pride that Test matches produce,” he said.

    “The Pacific Test matches will be vital for these nations as they prepare for the World Cup later this year and importantly, for our fans, a chance to watch their heroes live in their national colours.

    "The passion of the Pacific nations and their fans is something unique to rugby league.

    “This is part of a long term plan to grow the international game in conjunction with International Rugby League and member countries.

    "We’ve seen with the growth and success of Tonga in recent years and we want to capitalise on the potential depth of our Test playing nations.”

    NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said the 2022 Representative Round would celebrate the game’s best players.

    “To have State of Origin and Test matches across one round for the final time before we enter a new cycle from 2023 of a dedicated international window in October is exciting for the game.’’ he said.

    “I’d like to thank clubs, the IRL, RLPA and the various international bodies for working together to make the round a reality.”

    IRL chairman Troy Grant said the matches would be important fixtures ahead of the World Cup later in 2022.

    “It is great to be able to give the players from the Pacific nations time together ahead of the World Cup. We are also really excited to have the chance to kick start and rejuvenate international rugby league in the Southern Hemisphere after the impact of the pandemic,” Grant said.

    “There has been very little opportunity to play international matches for more than two years and we know how passionate the players from the Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga are about representing their nations.

    “We are very grateful to the ARLC, NRL, clubs and each of the nations involved for their support and contribution towards what is an important and significant weekend for international rugby league.”

    The New Zealand-Tonga double-header coincides with Matariki – the Māori New Year - and NZRL CEO said the fixture would celebrate the return home to Aotearoa and the re-uniting of players with their New Zealand fans and communities.

    “What a great feeling to finally have our Ferns and Kiwis back on the park, and even better at home," Peters said. "To celebrate Matariki weekend with an international Test double header that unites our fans and communities in celebration is special.”
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  2. #2
    Rep Player shamus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
    Posts
    1,965

    Default

    Dave Mead’s last game for the Kumuls today.

  3. #3
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Brisbane / HK
    Posts
    39,139

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by shamus View Post
    Dave Mead’s last game for the Kumuls today.
    Meady is one of my all time favourite players. I hope he can get the win. Sad to not see him at the World Cup.

    Enjoying the Saturday of IRL so far. Go Tonga. Kumuls. Cooks.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  4. #4
    Moderator
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Gold Coast
    Posts
    7,083

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by shamus View Post
    Dave Mead’s last game for the Kumuls today.
    What a legend.

    Good win too. What a way to go out.

  5. #5
    Moderator lonegull's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Back O Bourke NSW
    Posts
    3,691

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by shamus View Post
    Dave Mead’s last game for the Kumuls today.
    Bloody legend and to get a try and win even better for Meady

  6. #6
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Brisbane / HK
    Posts
    39,139

    Default

    What an amazing, riveting match. Classy players on both teams. Particularly Sunia Turuva, Lachlan Lam and Kyle Laybutt.

    Mead was marvellous and so happy to see him get that try.

    That last try off the left boot of Olam.

    And to end the game with that song by both nations, arm in arm. Love to see that sportsmanship. We saw shades of it throughout the game too. And also a lot of grit.

    I love international footy. I'm shopping for a Kumuls jersey.

    IRL really allow many players off the radar to show their stuff.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  7. #7
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Brisbane / HK
    Posts
    39,139

    Default

    Papua New Guinea v Fiji | Match Highlights | Pacific Test, 2022
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  8. #8
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Brisbane / HK
    Posts
    39,139

    Default

    I spoke before about missing David Mead missing the World Cup, but he said in the pre-match package that he wants to give a young kid a go at World Cup glory. A very humble and selfless stance. You could imagine the life changing experience of heading to the UK for a World Cup against the world's best.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  9. #9

  10. #10
    Immortal Titanic's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Next door to Alice
    Posts
    10,506

    Default

    Salute David Mead and let’s hope that Xavier Coates chooses to stay with the Kumuls.
    Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.

  11. #11
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Brisbane / HK
    Posts
    39,139

    Default

    Should the Rep Round be part of our annual calendar? I know the TV contract is moving the other way, but what do you think? I desperately want it to stay.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  12. #12

  13. #13


Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

ABOUT US

    Established in 2005 as the Gold Coast Titans official Chat Forum, we are now known as the League of Titans Independent Website. A place for fans of the Gold Coast Titans to come and touch base with other diehard fans.

QUICK LINKS

FOLLOW US ON

League of Titans designed and cutomised by Matt Glew