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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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Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Rassie Erasmus' Boks selection policy is becoming bizarre

To be fair, the only thing that drives engagement on this site is over the top critiques of Southern Hemisphere teams.


Or articles about people on podcasts criticizing southern hemisphere teams.


Articles regarding the Northern Hemisphere tend to be more positive than critical. I guess to also rile up kiwis and Saffers who seem to be the majority of followers in the comments section. There seems to be a whole department dedicated to Ireland’s world ranking news.


Despite being dialled into the Northern edition - I know sweet fokall about what’s going on in France.


And even less than fokall about what’s cutting in Japan - which has a fast growing, increasingly premium League competition emerging.


And let’s not talk about the pacific. Do they even play rugby Down there.


Oh and the Americas. I’ve read more articles about a young, stargazing Welshman’s foray into NFL than I have anything related to either the north and south continents of the Americas.


I will give credit that the women’s game is getting decent airtime. But for the rest and the above; it’s just pathetic coming from a World Rugby website.


Just consider the innovation emerging in Japan with the pedigree of coaches over there.


There’s so much good we could be reading.


Instead it’s unimaginative “critical for the sake of feigning controversial”. Which is lazy, because in order to pull that off all you need to be really good at is:


1. Being a doos;

2. Having an opinion.


No prior experience needed.


Which is not journalism. That’s like all or most of us in the comments section. People like Finn (who I believe is a RP contributor).


Anyway. Hopefully it will get better. The game is growing and the interest in the game is growing. Maybe it will attract more qualified journalists over time.

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