beez
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Posts: 250
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Post by beez on Oct 8, 2008 12:22:19 GMT 10
Scotland squad:
Chris Armit
Danny Brough
Dean Colton
Paddy Coupar
Gavin Cowan
John Duffy
Ben Fisher
Andrew Henderson
Ian Henderson
Kevin Henderson
Jack Howieson
Paul Jackson
Wade Liddell
Scott Logan
Neil Lowe
David McConnell
Duncan McGillvray
Iain Morrison
Gareth Morton
Mick Nanyn
Lee Patterson
Michael Robertson
Jon Steel
Oliver Wilkes
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Post by Marv on Oct 8, 2008 17:04:15 GMT 10
As expected, strong squads from Tonga and Samoa but I am still hopeful for Irelands chances if they get things right in the halves and dont try the up the middle stuff against Tonga and Samoa.
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beez
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Posts: 250
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Post by beez on Oct 8, 2008 18:42:57 GMT 10
As expected, strong squads from Tonga and Samoa but I am still hopeful for Irelands chances if they get things right in the halves and dont try the up the middle stuff against Tonga and Samoa. Yeah, I really rate Ireland's chances. This pool will be a cracker, everyone seems to be talking about the Tonga v Samoa game but the two Irish games will be just as good. |
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Post by Marv on Oct 8, 2008 19:07:25 GMT 10
As expected, strong squads from Tonga and Samoa but I am still hopeful for Irelands chances if they get things right in the halves and dont try the up the middle stuff against Tonga and Samoa. Yeah, I really rate Ireland's chances. This pool will be a cracker, everyone seems to be talking about the Tonga v Samoa game but the two Irish games will be just as good. Yeah, no-one is giving ireland a chance but I think they will do OK. |
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Post by Ryan N on Oct 8, 2008 20:45:10 GMT 10
I think Tonga is better than Samoa looks. Which isn't how it's been hyped in the media.
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jim
Marquee Player
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Post by jim on Oct 8, 2008 21:58:41 GMT 10
Ireland squad: Ross Barbour (Carlow Crusaders) Bob Beswick (Widnes) Damien Blanch (Wakefield) Mick Cassidy (Barrow) Ged Corcoran (Sheffield) Lee Doran (Leigh) Liam Finn (Dewsbury) Simon Finnigan (Bradford) Karl Fitzpatrick (Salford) Steve Gibbons (London Skolars) Sean Gleeson (Wakefield) Scott Grix (Wakefield) Gareth Haggerty (Harlequins) Ben Harrison (Warrington) Graham Holroyd (Halifax) Wayne Kerr (London Skolars) Stuart Littler (Salford) Shannon McDonnell (Wests Tigers) Michael McIlorum (Wigan) Eamon O'Carroll (Wigan) Michael Platt (Bradford) Pat Richards (Wigan) Ryan Tandy (Wests Tigers) Brett White (Melbourne Storm) I haven't seen much of most of these guys this year but I think they'll provide tough opposition for the much hyped Tongan and Samoan teams. I'm really looking forward to this pool. And does anyone know if they'll have names on their shirts? I'm real keen for a Beswick jersey. 1 player from the Irish comp and Wayne Kerr. Are these the only two born and bred Irish? Not complaining, I'm glad they did name 2. |
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jim
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Post by jim on Oct 8, 2008 21:59:28 GMT 10
Samoan squad: George Carmont David Faiumu Harrison Hansen Ali Lauiti'iti Taualagi Lepupa Kylie Leuluai Wayne McDade Francis Meli Joseph Paulo Frank Puletua Tony Puletua Ben Roberts Tangi Ropati Smith Samau Lagi Setu Terry SeuSeu David Solomona Willie Talau Albert Talipeau Misi Taulapapa Ben Te'o Tupu Ulufale Matt Utai Nigel Vagana Not as strong as suggested. It would be interesting to see who turned them down and who wasn't selected from names like: Fai, Ah Van, Tony, Sau etc. Like I said before I'm glad Matulino and Fai weren't selected, saves an ugly player swap when NZ picks them both next year. |
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jim
Marquee Player
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Post by jim on Oct 8, 2008 22:02:33 GMT 10
Yeah, I really rate Ireland's chances. This pool will be a cracker, everyone seems to be talking about the Tonga v Samoa game but the two Irish games will be just as good. Yeah, no-one is giving ireland a chance but I think they will do OK. I honestly think all 6 B and C teams have a good chance of making it to the semi. I think I'm going to enjoy the struggle for that one place more than Australia, England, NZ and PNG playing. I have tickets to the SFQ and While I'm hoping foir France V Ireland I would honestly not be suprised whoever was there. |
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Post by Kiwi fan on Oct 9, 2008 7:24:30 GMT 10
Webb and Lima ruled out of NZ team to be replaced by Nightingale and Tuimavave.
How many players in that 24 man Samoan squad actually helped them qualify? Does anyone know?
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Post by kuwaitikev on Oct 9, 2008 7:44:58 GMT 10
All these guys played the final qualifier versus USA last year.
Tangi Ropati
Smith Samau
Willie Talau
George Carmont
Nigel Vagana
Joseph Paulo
Frank Puletua
Tony Puletua
Ali Lauiti'ti
Harrison Hansen
Lepupa Taualagi
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Post by Kiwi fan on Oct 9, 2008 13:24:54 GMT 10
All these guys played the final qualifier versus USA last year. Tangi Ropati Smith Samau Willie Talau George Carmont Nigel Vagana Joseph Paulo Frank Puletua Tony Puletua Ali Lauiti'ti Harrison Hansen Lepupa Taualagi Thanks for that. I guess that's an ok number. It would be terrible if there were heaps of players who helped them qualify but didn't make the squad because many players cam in infront of them. I hope Samoa doesn't make the semis, I would much perfer France to. France have named people in their squad who have only played for france and France is their first nation. |
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jim
Marquee Player
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Post by jim on Oct 9, 2008 14:45:06 GMT 10
Webb and Lima ruled out of NZ team to be replaced by Nightingale and Tuimavave. Massive blow for the kiwis. Now they have lost one of the world's best FB's and their first choice front rowers. Papua New Guinea would be liking their chances of a semi more and more. I suppose Inu to fullback now. |
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Post by kuwaitikev on Oct 9, 2008 17:06:27 GMT 10
No they are giving Lance Hohaia first crack at the Number 1 jersey. I think Inu or Perrett would be a better option with Hohaia off the bench in various roles. But then Hohaia had a great year at the back for the Warriors so it's not a huge surprise.
Webb and Lima are 2 more huge losses though for sure.
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beez
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Posts: 250
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Post by beez on Oct 9, 2008 18:10:46 GMT 10
Like I said before I'm glad Matulino and Fai weren't selected, saves an ugly player swap when NZ picks them both next year. I don't know Matulino personally, but through friends of friends and family, but I'm fairly certain he would have no intentions on playing for Samoa. He's grown up in Wellington and been in NZ age grade teams. I don't know about any others but hopefully theres not too many young guys playing for a country just to play in the WC (theres definitely a few older guys). And NZ is looking pretty thin on front rowers now. Cmon Wiki! |
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Post by Marv on Oct 9, 2008 18:12:08 GMT 10
Its not ideal for the kiwis but as Jim says, Inu or Hoaia to fullback, its not the end of the world for them.
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