raging i missed the tonga game tonight, thought it was on at 8, rather than 6pm. would it watched it over the boring game ireland played, (not there fault, poor fiji team).

anyways it finished Tonga 22 vs USA 13. if i get any report about fetuu ill post it up here

swift4prez wrote: finished 28-23.

italy had a better defence in the second half and there scrum sent tonga back loads and even after awhile the ref gave italy a penalty try. 3 yellows in the game, 1 italy 2tonga.

tonga had plenty of injury so ill expect that they will be needing fetuu for the other games.

as for fetuu, had a dodgy start to the second half, awful forward pass and then a kick straight into touch. that was the worse of it, everything else was impressive.

always wanted to run the ball, did so twice or three times from 5metres from his own line, what we love about him.

he got the try i was waiting for him to get and it made a game of it again when they were 12 points down. in the last 5mins, he broke of 2 tackles on the wing and passed before being tackled. pity it didnt lead on to anymore. great game from him.

Great stuff, this can only improve his confidence further. Anyone else stand out?

finished 28-23.

italy had a better defence in the second half and there scrum sent tonga back loads and even after awhile the ref gave italy a penalty try. 3 yellows in the game, 1 italy 2tonga.

tonga had plenty of injury so ill expect that they will be needing fetuu for the other games.

as for fetuu, had a dodgy start to the second half, awful forward pass and then a kick straight into touch. that was the worse of it, everything else was impressive.

always wanted to run the ball, did so twice or three times from 5metres from his own line, what we love about him.

he got the try i was waiting for him to get and it made a game of it again when they were 12 points down. in the last 5mins, he broke of 2 tackles on the wing and passed before being tackled. pity it didnt lead on to anymore. great game from him.

italy 18 tonga 16

tonga the much better team, but italy score easy trys even though they have less ball.

first try came early like ones scored vs tonga in the world cup. a blocked down kick. second was a maul which is much more powerful then tonga when its used.

tonga scored a try in the corner by there prop and converted, other scores 3 penaltys.

ok, fetu has had 2 great line breaks, first he gathers and chips the ball and gather it again, makes 30 metre or so, second was a run threw the defence, side stepping etc. he's be the most exciting back by a mile from both teams.

pity hes on the left wing, there a little more busy on the left. stick him in the centre.

pinky wrote: Fetu'u starting against Italy

planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9817_8233574,00.html

Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 13 Sukanaivalu Hufanga, 12 Sione Piukala, 11 Viliami Helu, 10 Fangatapu 'Apikotoa, 9 Taniela Moa (capt), 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Sione Vaiomo'unga, 6 Sitiveni Mafi, 5 Tukulua Lokotui, 4 Joe Tu'ineau, 3 Halani 'Aulika, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Alisona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Ilaisa Ma'asi, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Hale T-Pole, 19 Paula Kaho, 20 Samisoni Fisilau, 21 Alipate Fatafehi, 22 Viliame Iongi, 23 Soane Tonga'uiha.

Great stuff and well deserved, because the catching blips in our first competitive game (against the Blues in a storm) apart he has been the outstanding outside back for us (Henshaw has impressed in stepping in for Gav, but we need to see more in attack from him). Fet's has been the one trying to make things happen in attack...

Fetu'u starting against Italy

planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9817_8233574,00.html

Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 13 Sukanaivalu Hufanga, 12 Sione Piukala, 11 Viliami Helu, 10 Fangatapu 'Apikotoa, 9 Taniela Moa (capt), 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Sione Vaiomo'unga, 6 Sitiveni Mafi, 5 Tukulua Lokotui, 4 Joe Tu'ineau, 3 Halani 'Aulika, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Alisona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Ilaisa Ma'asi, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Hale T-Pole, 19 Paula Kaho, 20 Samisoni Fisilau, 21 Alipate Fatafehi, 22 Viliame Iongi, 23 Soane Tonga'uiha.

Nov 10 Italy v Tonga Brescia
Nov 13 Newcastle v Tonga Kingston Park
Nov 17 United States v Tonga Colwyn Bay, Wales
Nov 24 Scotland v Tonga Aberdeen

That's one hell of a schedule! I can see the whole Tongan team been used and Fets getting at least one cap. Hopefully Pollman kicks on and is an able deputy.

phatguerilla wrote: www.connachtrugby.ie/2012102283059/vaini...d-up-to-tongan-squad

Looks like the lad will be away for a while.

Itinerary

Nov 10 Italy v Tonga Brescia
Nov 13 Newcastle v Tonga Kingston Park
Nov 17 United States v Tonga Colwyn Bay, Wales
Nov 24 Scotland v Tonga Aberdeen


we only miss him for the dragons vs connacht game. thats not bad but pity he wont have a well needed break

www.connachtrugby.ie/2012102283059/vaini...d-up-to-tongan-squad

Looks like the lad will be away for a while.

RogueXV wrote: One of the things that impresses me about Fetu'u is that he goes looking for work. Often enough you hear how a wing went unused during a game, well sometimes a good wing can rectify that situation by getting himself to the ball rather than waiting for it to come to them. That's one of the differences I see between Fetu'u and TOH. I don't necessarily see arrogance from TOH maybe more complacency since no one is pushing him for his spot ATM. So a viable option and the threat of a benching could do him some good.

Im a critic of fetu in terms of his difficulties with the ball in the air and also some of the defensive decisions he makes but i fundementally agree with rogue about his attitude and that of TOH. Imo TOH has twice the ability that fetu has but lacks in the crucial area of attitude and work rate/application which is something that fetu has in abundance. In footballing terms TOH is streets ahead but we havent seen that in the game so far.

I would however remind everyone of game 1 of this season for fetu and games 1-3 for the entire backline before we get too carried away. Im both surprised and relieved that he hasnt been targetted more in the air but thats the way it has worked out.

In relation to Poolman Eric is 3 from 3 in terms of the new signings for this season. I havent seen enough of harris wright to give an informed opinion yet. Poolman comes with a decent rep so one of either TOH or Fetu will lose out if he live up to his rep. Imo it will be Toh in the short term but fetu ultimately when Toh starts to apply himself in a fetu like manner.

RogueXV wrote: One of the things that impresses me about Fetu'u is that he goes looking for work. Often enough you hear how a wing went unused during a game, well sometimes a good wing can rectify that situation by getting himself to the ball rather than waiting for it to come to them. That's one of the differences I see between Fetu'u and TOH. I don't necessarily see arrogance from TOH maybe more complacency since no one is pushing him for his spot ATM. So a viable option and the threat of a benching could do him some good.

My opinion on the looking for work thing is it is an Irish problem in general. We like to put our wingers on the wing and they stay there unless you call a set move where they are suppose to be outside of their wing.

Earls and Bowe would be the only Irish wingers I can think of that do what your asking for Rogue. Bowe only realised there was more to the wing position when he joined the Ospreys and with Earls he has is a winger with the mind of a fullback.

I don't think Tiernan needs a kick up the arse at all. I think he's doing pretty well, but if your looking for the form winger in this squad it is definitely Fetu. To summarise I think Fetu's outstanding form is just overshadowing Tiernans decent performances.

I can't think of anything incredibly bad Tiernan has done to merit criticism. But yes I do agree that if we are to drop one for the sake of getting Poolman a game, and for the sake of rotation too, Tiernan would be the one.

I think we should all just be thankful for all the riches we have in backs this year (once all are back to health) that we can rotate regularly for the sake of keeping our squad fresh and not seeing a massive drop off in quality in previous years. The days of 'targetting' games with our best team are dead.

One of the things that impresses me about Fetu'u is that he goes looking for work. Often enough you hear how a wing went unused during a game, well sometimes a good wing can rectify that situation by getting himself to the ball rather than waiting for it to come to them. That's one of the differences I see between Fetu'u and TOH. I don't necessarily see arrogance from TOH maybe more complacency since no one is pushing him for his spot ATM. So a viable option and the threat of a benching could do him some good.

connolly wrote: I've being a big fan of Fets since he came, he has shown great potential since arriving. I was talking to the lad after the last game last year and he said he was suffering from homesickness last season.He's a very humble lad from what I took from the chat. He wouldn't take any praise. He did promise that we would see a different player this year and so far he has being through to his word. We really have to use him alot more and give him the ball when he's running onto it, instead of static passing. His pace and power and quick feet (apart from fionn) is something we have being missing in the last few years.

Our other backs need to tune into his lines of running, it was the same with Henry last season he'd make a great break look for the offload and find himself on his own having to take contact...

Think ability to read lines is the primary difference between SH (particularly KIwi/Islander) & NH backs we certainly don't see the interplay as consistently up here as they do down under...

I've being a big fan of Fets since he came, he has shown great potential since arriving. I was talking to the lad after the last game last year and he said he was suffering from homesickness last season.He's a very humble lad from what I took from the chat. He wouldn't take any praise. He did promise that we would see a different player this year and so far he has being through to his word. We really have to use him alot more and give him the ball when he's running onto it, instead of static passing. His pace and power and quick feet (apart from fionn) is something we have being missing in the last few years.

Sounds like I'm on my own!

Despite my irrational (based on very little) bad opinion of the lad, I do really hope he pushes on and represents Connacht (and maybe someday Ireland) with distinction, because he is one of our local talents. Having said that, I don't think being local should benefit him too much when it comes to selection. And I still believe he could do with a kick up the ar$e that spending some time on the bench would achieve. Anyway, time will tell - poolman might be rubbish!