2023 England v Tonga Internationals

[HoldenV8]

I agree. Koula played every game at fullback in last year's WC & has developed as an attacking player since then. The Haumole-Koula combination could have been dynamite, but Wolff chose to ignore it. I only saw a small part of yesterday's game, but it appeared Tonga's attack was very clunky. It would have been better to play Hopoate as a defensive centre with Suli on the wing (have always thought Suli could be most potent as a power winger rather than a centre). Hopefully, Latu gets an opportunity off the bench in game three.

When Tonga beat Australia in Auckland in 2019 ... Kotoni Staggs was their halfback. Now he's the Kangaroos centre.

The truth is that Tonga really don't have decent halves so their attack being clunky right now is no surprise.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Koula had a roving commission, he popped up all over the field. It was another standout performance, and he's in for a huge season in NRL next year.

 

[Uk eagle]

When Tonga beat Australia in Auckland in 2019 ... Kotoni Staggs was their halfback. Now he's the Kangaroos centre.

The truth is that Tonga really don't have decent halves so their attack being clunky right now is no surprise.

Agreed. If they had a decent spine they would be a real force. As it is they are having to make do with whoever they can although the omission of Koula at full back is a serious oversight.

 

[40 nil]

Latu will make his debut for Tonga off the bench today. Here is his coach talking about him

 

[BOZO]

Latu will make his debut for Tonga off the bench today. Here is his coach talking about him

Thank you @40 nil
The Tongan coach believes the young player is ready to play with big men in the big arena and excited to see Latu play

He also said that after seeing his skill set he can understand why the Tigers went all out to sign him.

I am sure Tiger supporters will be salivating and licking their dry premiership winning lips with great anticipation

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Latu will make his debut for Tonga off the bench today. Here is his coach talking about him

I still reckon Latu will be a very good NRL player for a long time, so it'll be interesting to see how he goes. For all the hype and highlight reel stuff around him, what's impressed me most as he's got older and started playing against men is his defence. He's an excellent defender, with a real appetite for tackling.

 

[40 nil]

A very pedestrian side, esp. the backs, selected for Tonga. Koula is still on the wing with Hurrell & Suli in the centres and Hopoate at fullback. Hopefully, Fainu can provide some spark from the bench. I would be surprised if they trouble England, esp. without AFB. It appears Wolff's selections are on the conservative side. Wonder how he'll fare coaching the Dolphins in 2025?

England v Mate Ma'a Tonga

England versus Mate Ma'a Tonga match centre includes live scores and updates. Includes official live player and team stats. Run metres, fantasy points scoring.

www.nrl.com

 

[The '47ers]

Another piss poor international game crowd

 

[40 nil]

Final score England 26 Tonga 4

 

[Chunkytuna]

Another piss poor international game crowd

You call that piss poor?? That was a full house compared with the family and friends who showed up in NZ!! That UK crowd looked pretty decent seeing as the weather looked typically English.

 

[Uk eagle]

You call that piss poor?? That was a full house compared with the family and friends who showed up in NZ!! That UK crowd looked pretty decent seeing as the weather looked typically English.

I think it was over 15000 so not too bad a turnout although I think they were hoping for more. Nowt wrong with that weather it's still shorts and t shirt weather for me

 

[08Dream]

Koula with the most run metres and pcms for Tonga, seems to be the standout in that side. Shame they dont ay him at fullback.

 

[The '47ers]

You call that piss poor?? That was a full house compared with the family and friends who showed up in NZ!! That UK crowd looked pretty decent seeing as the weather looked typically English.

Agreed, when they had the intro and anthems that side looked a little bareish. But definitely the rest of the stadium looked decent.

 

[Carl]

It looked like koula was at fullback most of the game; just had 5 on his back.

 

[Carl]

Tough game at fullback with that many tries scored. Koula usually got one of em but nobody got the other guys.

 

[Carl]

I thought England controlled the game well. Very poor discipline from Tonga.

The manly guys played well.

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

When you have Lolaheia and Katoa as the halves, they were always going to be pushing uphill.
A lot of waiters and not enough chefs.

 

[mickqld]

When you have Lolaheia and Katoa as the halves, they were always going to be pushing uphill.
A lot of waiters and not enough chefs.

Not to mention that lazy Suli and Hurrell in the centers.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

When you have Lolaheia and Katoa as the halves, they were always going to be pushing uphill.
A lot of waiters and not enough chefs.

Konrad Hurrell has obviously seen a lot of waiters and chefs lately. Looked like a front rower who'd just eaten another front rower, and ran like one as well.

 

[HoldenV8]

It was obvious after the first test that Will Hopoate's lack of pace was a liability at fullback, yet Woolf persisted in playing him there for the entire series.

I'm not sure Koula had any roving commission, I just think he went looking for the ball more because he was catching colds out on the left wing with the Tongan attack constantly going to the right side. Either way he was wasted in this series. Should have been the fullback from the start, if not from the 2nd test.