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InternationalSamoaTongaNasi Manu

Nasi Manu's return to rugby will have to wait

Nasi Manu. Photo / Getty Images

Nasi Manu hasn’t played a game of rugby in over a year after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. He missed the whole Pro14 season and last ran onto the rugby field for Tonga in their Pacific Nations Clash with Fiji last June.

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Today was supposed to mark Manu’s return to rugby after he was named to captain the ‘Ikale Tahi against Samoa, however the affable loose forward will now have to wait at least one more week. Earlier today, Tonga announced that Manu would have to withdraw from the match due to injury.

Elvis Taione will take the captain’s armband in Manu’s absence whilst Sione Vailau will take over at number 8. Prop Siua Halanukonuka will join the bench.

Today’s match kicks off at 1:50PM, local time.

Revised Tonga team:

1. Paea Fa’anunu, 2. Elvis Taione (c), 3. Ben Tameifuna, 4. Leva Fifita, 5. Sam Lousi*, 6. Onehunga Havili, 7. Maama Vaipulu, 8. Sione Vailau, 9. Samisoni Fisilau, 10. James Faiva*, 11. Viliame Lolohea, 12. Cooper Vuna, 13. Malietoa Hingano*, 14. David Halaifonua, 15. Nafi Tuitavake.

Reserves:

16. Sefo Sakalia, 17. Toma Taufa*, 18. Ma’afu Fia, 19. Zane Kapeli, 20. Siua Halanukonuka, 21. Fotu Lokotui, 22. Leon Fukofuka, 23. Otumaka Mausia*.

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Comments on RugbyPass

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SadersMan 7 minutes ago
Are other All Blacks better suited to number six than Tupou Vaa'i?

Interesting about Holland, he’d always been a tall, skinny, back, until aged 16. When he got to Christchurch BHS, the coach took one look at him, said “you’re a lock” & that was that. He looked like a weed back then. Born in the Netherlands, made in NZ. And I agree, Va'ai's future is predominantly as a #6.

87 Go to comments
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Ed the Duck 7 minutes ago
The British & Irish Lions are historic in name, but losers by nature

If you say so ike! 😉

36 Go to comments
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Spew_81 8 minutes ago
Are other All Blacks better suited to number six than Tupou Vaa'i?

That will be the acid test for Holland.

87 Go to comments
A
Ace 8 minutes ago
'I was stunned': Gonzalo Quesada implies Boks needlessly disrepected Italy

In this exchange between yourself and GrahamVF, you do not come off with a lot of honour. On the contrary. You seem to have become one of those keyboard warriors who is uncapable of engaging in civil discourse and graciously accepting that people have different opinions. No, you insist on being right and resorting to cheap insults when you don’t get your way.


I have experienced this at first hand from you.


Even your mom would tell you that, in this instance, you’re acting like an *-hole.

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BA 11 minutes ago
Willie John McBride doubles down on Lions critique, suggests renaming

Hey hold up it is winter here in the land of the long white cloud not land of the long bright white legs !! The skiing will be beautiful this season as is the surfing in the summer ahhhh so nice

31 Go to comments
B
BA 22 minutes ago
Willie John McBride doubles down on Lions critique, suggests renaming

We import schoolboys here in the land of the long white cloud Stephen and if you knew anything about the pacific you would know that people families come to live in NZ for lots of reasons including obviously work and education, if you are a gun rugby player in the islands in high school it is probably best for your rugby career to go to NZ Oz France anywhere to get that coaching and professional type environment, NZ is close has a huge Polynesian population and is culturally more familiar, Lowe & co all played years of Super rugby so don’t get it twisted it’s not the same path, not that I believe there is anything wrong with dudes playing for whoever they want to, get the best u can on field some extra flavor never hurts

31 Go to comments
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GM 26 minutes ago
France turn to experience for final All Blacks Test with 8 changes

France will be revved up, given Bastille Day a couple of days ago (the French are very militaristic), and the loss of their U20s side to NZ in Italy. They’ve chosen a huge back row and are clearly aiming to be brutal. I hope Galthie has read his troops wrong and they’ve all got a foot on the plane home, because it would undermine the ABs good work if France B finished with a win over NZ B. It’s interesting to hypothesise whether France might have more front-rank players on the field in Hamilton than the ABs do (no Tamaiti, Cody, Scooter, Vaii, Sititi, Roigard, Beauden, Jordie, Billy or Will Jordan - in fact there’s only Lomax and Ardie and possibly Rieko who could be regarded as shoo-in starters for the ABs).

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SadersMan 27 minutes ago
Potential debutant as All Blacks make wholesale changes for final France Test

Joking or Chiefs supporter?🤣

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BA 39 minutes ago
Are other All Blacks better suited to number six than Tupou Vaa'i?

That big Naki Chiefs lock Fiti Sa is a big boy and Josh Tengbland in the u20s another ,125 kg and 117 kg respectively and both well over 2 meters so for kiwi locks that’s pretty big both young as

87 Go to comments
U
Upnorth-taniwha 49 minutes ago
New Zealanders may not understand, but in France Test rugby is the 'B movie'

So with all that's been said, France sending a b team, top 14 so strong, we support ab’s, they support top 14 and WC and six nations. It is what it is, but do you think that the results of this tour have matched the outcry? Like the first test against a so called b side? Yes we won, just. The second test was better, but against a lesser team apparently. And the third test we will experiment, to a degree. But we are still not thrashing them. One would expect if the teams they are sending are so bad, then why aren't we holding them scoreless and why aren't we putting 50-60 points on them every week? We put all our emphasis on international rugby, yet the show isn't what one would think it would be considering all the facts. I don't know, but I was really expecting the ABS to come out in the first test and show France how pissed off they were that they had sent a mediocre test team. Send them home thrashed and with their Tails between there legs, but I don't know. I think they would go home confident that even if they put the b side in, they can compete against a power house AB team. Not good for us, more so for them. As we all know, the mental side of international rugby is huge. Players confidence can set there path for their careers. So I think it was a perfect chance to absolutely dent the confidence of these up and comers, so when they faced us again in the future, they wouldnt be so keen! And if the ABs had really smashed this team and any other team that done the same, then it would be a message to all international sides. That if you do so, you do so at your own risk and at the expense of the growth of your players going forwards. I get what everyone is saying in regards to all the other stuff. Yes we have a lot to work on. But firstly we need to win, and win big. Otherwise these complaints of b sides, look rather silly. Yes we are 2 nil up. The second test against a much weeker side was better-ish. But C'mon, if they want to send b sides, we should treat them like that, and really be smashing them. Confidence in any player, can be changed for the entirety of their careers. Maybe if we did this, they would realise the effects and send stronger teams. But I don't think that so far this series, any player would feel like they wouldn't want another go at the ABs and can face up to them. Just a thought

80 Go to comments
C
Carlos 1 hour ago
How the Lions will heap pressure upon Australia's million-dollar man

I am utterly confused about RA investments decisions. A lot of money. Real money. One player. Not “Messi”.

1 Go to comments
I
IkeaBoy 1 hour ago
The British & Irish Lions are historic in name, but losers by nature

How frightfully accurate.


I forgot you don't have a sense of humour and the fear just gripped me. Had to amend it.


At least it does prove you're English, spud.

36 Go to comments
I
IkeaBoy 1 hour ago
The British & Irish Lions are historic in name, but losers by nature

Well that would be weird…

36 Go to comments
I
IkeaBoy 1 hour ago
The British & Irish Lions are historic in name, but losers by nature

I guess that rules you out, box kick Ed.

36 Go to comments
I
IkeaBoy 1 hour ago
The British & Irish Lions are historic in name, but losers by nature

Yep, two of whom aren't fully fit.

Another two hybrids one of whom is at home with his tour ended. The other hybrid is on the bench.


He has spirit and a side step but defensively, he couldn't catch the clap.

36 Go to comments
T
Tom 1 hour ago
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Oh god do all scrum halves now have to be compared to Dupont for the next decade?

3 Go to comments
T
Tk 1 hour ago
Willie John McBride doubles down on Lions critique, suggests renaming

The blame lies with world rugby and the international eligibility rules- which of course are heavily influenced by the home nations. If eligible for a national team the player cannot then be ineligible for the Lions.

31 Go to comments
P
Peter Close 1 hour ago
Willie John McBride doubles down on Lions critique, suggests renaming

Moaning old git! I'm only 6 years younger but played for 46 years in 6 decades 1957-2002 and have supported Lions since Tony o' Reilly was the youngest Lion in 1955 giving the film audience two fingers with a pair of Springbok horns. So I feel just as entitled to express my view and that is that adopted players are now part of Lions culture. So calm down old boy!

31 Go to comments
J
J Marc 1 hour ago
New Zealanders may not understand, but in France Test rugby is the 'B movie'

Do you know how many fans watch rugby in the stands in China ? Rugby union is the 10th sport in France….

Great Britain have about the same population than France, where are fans if they are not in the stands ? GB have far more football fans than France. It has nothing to do with country size…

80 Go to comments
L
LW 2 hours ago
France turn to experience for final All Blacks Test with 8 changes

A few french players with some caps, does this make the C team into a B team? They should thrash the AllBlacks B team then, we know the top 14 is all powerful. 30pts to the french, minimum

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