My Selection Tongan Team

The NZSS/Barbarians squads have been named over this past week or so and good player have missed out and good players left behind because you cant take everyone, but I think with all the talent we have here in NZ we could create more higher Rep teams Program. I have always felt that when the NZSS go away to Australia every other year and the Barbarians play other selected sides I dont think they are selected the right way in terms of everyone being included onto the “selection sheet” of players. So as I do all the time, I make up my own Rep teams or give my own opinion on players that were left behind and dont know why they werent selected either. So Im going to share my selections with you of the players not picked up by the Maori Team and also my thoughts on the Samoan and Tongan players we have here.

The Rugby Unions for Samoa and Tonga have not capitalized on the players they have here in NZ and that are coming out of High School. Samoa and Tongan in my mind should be setting up camps and running camp for the players to be brought into their own systems for the next 2 years in their U20’s Program. We all know that Samoan and Tongan players get picked up by NZSS and then onto U20 but what about those that just miss the cut. For me I would pick them up right NOW and say “we are holding a camp for selected Tongan or Samoan what ever Union your apart of and we want to invite you to come” then bring them through our system over the next few years after High School then onto the Pro stage. Now I dont know any kid who has not been picked up in the NZSS and Barbarians who would deny that opportunity. Look at the Samoan U20’s over the past 3 years and how many of them are from NZ, I would say 80% of them were, so for me I would jump into those opportunities as a Rugby Union and get the kids started early in your Rugby System and Program. The Samoan and Tongan Rugby Unions need to work out how they can do that and to keep boys looking at that “Red” or “Blue” Jersey and not the “Black” one through out their Teens and 20’s.

Just so that you know I have thought about this a lot and have done some home work as well, this is how I would organize and fund it. In South Africa, Grey College have brought in French Club Montpellier as a source of income and opportunity for players and it is going to pay off, boys have coaching clinics and another place to look to if South African rugby doesnt pick them up. If you are Samoan or Tongan you know our players are all based overseas and we select mostly from those players. I personally would find 3 Clubs one from each UK, EURO or Asia based to fund the Camps here in NZ for U16,U18 and U20 and they can be the “Feeder Clubs” by which our players to go into their U20 sides but still sign with the Samoan and Tongan Unions to play in our U20’s. Those Clubs will get an up close and personal relationship with our Nations as well with the players coming through if they see them every camp, every year. We know as Samoan’s and Tongans that counting on Island based players wont get us anywhere cause the talent level is to low and there is no money in it for them, the money is not really even in NZ but Europe, Asia and UK, so why not Network with them, right?

The Reason I say 3 Clubs from different Regions is to spread out players so that that one area does’nt get to many players of the same skill set that they flood that comp and then the next wave become the “norm” and not a weapon, as we see here in NZ all the time. The money side would be great for both Unions and that could lead into Samoa or Tongan U18 and U20 Tours for our Nations if handled right and by business minded people. Our Nations always have money problems within the Unions and as a Proud Samoan that supports “The Manu” after the “AB’s” we know as “Manu” supporters where our Money Problems “LIE” and that’s for another platform to vent on.

These are the selections I have made and I think that my Tongan and Samoan teams would give the Barbarian team a good run and if the 2 Maori teams came together it would be a lot stronger with way more depth BUT this is my Maori selection team anyway.

My Tongan Team Run Down

Obviously when you put a Tongan side together your always going to get a lot of size and power mostly when it comes to your forward pack and this is also true with mine. I found out that there are some surprise Tongans that really added to this side both size and skills. Melvin Pauni and Caleb Havili from the Crusaders Region really are a key feature in this pack. I also think that Ethan McQuinlan a real big add to the team and would work well with other props Moala and Tevita. When I looked at what was available to the the loose trio I went with everyone being a massive running group that is all straight running like a league team. John Latu big and hard to put down, Tevita Fa’aukafa another big and fast and hard to put down, Lotu Inisi as well just a beast thats runs through tackles.

The back line how ever for me is more about the speed, foot work and play making ability. Kisi Sau is there to change speed of the game and organize running forward pack. His combo with Tevita Hala will be huge for a team like this. Big heavy runners in the midfield with Tom and Paula, Sione and Terry off the bench too man that would a dream bench. Then a back 3 led by Mosese with Christian and Simeon on the wings I think that would be something real hard to contain after trying to get back in line when Paula and Tom take it to the line.

Tongan Team (My Selections, Not Original)

1. Wesley Tapueluelu (St Peter’s College)
2. Melvin Pauni (Timaru BHS)
3. Ethan McQuinlan (Feilding High School)
4. Caleb Havili (Nelson College)(VC)
5. Cameron Finefeuiaki (Botany Downs)
6. Tevita Fa’aukafa (Hamilton BHS)
7. Sione Afemui (St Thomas CC)
8. John Latu (Mt Albert Grammar School)
9. Kisi Sau (Tamaki College)
10. Tevita Hala (Dilworth School)
11. Simeon Latu (Auckland Grammar
12. Tom Ale (Rotorua BHS)
13. Paula Mahe (St Peter’s School)
14. Christian Tuipulotu (St Paul’s College)
15. Mosese Pepa (Aorere College) (C)
16. Moala Katoa (Scots College)
17. Tevita Kofeloa (Manurewa HS)
18. Ezra Vai (Kelston Boys High School)
19. Brigham Moeakiola (St Pauls Collegiate)
20. Lotu Inisi (Westlake BHS)
21. Tevita Asi (Otago BHS)
22. Sione Faiva (Tauranga BC)
23. Terry Pongi (Sacred Heart College)