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'We've seen the Springboks slip up against Japan': Tonga should be considered a serious threat

(Photo by World Rugby - Handout/World Rugby via Getty Images)

After the recent naming of Tonga’s squad for the Pacific Nations Cup, the strength of their squad is obvious with a number of ex-international players now available.

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The squad features former All Blacks and Wallabies in Malakai Fekitoa, Charles Piutau, Augustine Pulu, and Israel Folau as well as the possible inclusion of George Moala and forwards Vaea Fifita, Adam Coleman and Sekope Kepu come November.

Speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Podcast, Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall and former All Black hooker James Parsons shared their views on the Tongan side and the likely strengths and deficiencies for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup and Rugby World Cup.

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Bryn Hall and James Parsons discuss all things rugby

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Bryn Hall and James Parsons discuss all things rugby

Tonga has been drawn in Pool B along side South Africa, Ireland, and Scotland for next year’s World Cup in France.

“It won’t be easy but the pressure is not on them,” Parsons said of their World Cup draw.

“We’ve seen the Springboks slip up against Japan before, Ireland have had moments as well and they’ve just got nothing to lose.

“They’ve got time together now. This is not just going to be a short lead in, they’ve got a good year to embed some systems and processes.

“Tonga aren’t going to be easy to dominate physically, so they’ll have to come up with a different style or they just go head-to-head and the best man wins out of those collisions.”

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Speaking about those that have switched allegiances, Parsons explained how much Tonga will benefit from the experience they are bringing in.

“They really want to be there; they have wanted to be there for a number of years,” Parsons said.

“Now they have the opportunity they will want to make every post a winner. They are now a serious threat. It’s not just the skill set of those players.

“The IP [intellectual property] they have got from the years of high performance environments they have been in, and their ability to up skill those around them and help the coaches in terms of systems and game plans.

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“There is just so much to like and get excited about…This just adds more energy to our game, it’s exactly what we need.”

However, with such a great roster there still remains some weaknesses. Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall questioned whether the side possessed the right players to manage the game effectively in the big test matches.

“I think the game management is going to be a big part of that. I don’t know which direction they will go [playing either William Havili, or James Faiva],” Hall said.

“I think [William Havili] having time with Tasman and then being able to play in key games and see decision making with Mitch Hunt, being able to see what that looks like.

“Being with Moana Pasifika and learning from the likes of Christian Lealiifano for the whole year will be invaluable for him to go on that tour.

“If they play too much, what’s plan B? Are they going to be able to have the kicking game?

“Augustine Pulu will be massive for them. Sonatane Takulua is there, who has been a stalwart of Tongan rugby. Having that one-two punch is going to be great for them and they have great decision makers around that.

“Again, it’s just being able to be real smart, game management wise.

“You have guys like Charlie Piutau, George Moala who have been in those big games and experiences being able to give that to the likes of Fine Inisi, who’s a young player in that team.

“Physicality wise they are always there or thereabouts, they will bring that, they always bring that as a Tongan team. But it’s those game management skills. They have got enough players there now that can really understand that and hopefully get the best out of that moving forward.”

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Bull Shark 5 hours 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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