In Fetu'u's defence his knee looked well strapped, maybe he wasn't fully fit and in Eric's eagerness to get him on the park to get ready for the HC we rushed him back.

I was disappointed, I expected more, but it's early days and hopefully he'll kick on and become and integral member of the team.

I do appologise, as I was the one that stated that I was not impressed. Duly noted Breifne cheers.

Read my post carefully !! not impressed on first showing, that is my opinion. I hope for all of us that I am wrong and he does indeed become a good or even a great player for Connacht. This is an opinion not a diffinitive judgement.

Easy now, Mr. Dragon.  My comment wasn't directed solely at you.  I was reading some of the comments on Facebook about him and was thinking how odd it is to judge a player after one game.  I wasn't berating your opinion at all.  I defend the right of all here to voice their opinion without any undue abuse (unlike some here).

Read my post carefully !! not impressed on first showing, that is my opinion. I hope for all of us that I am wrong and he does indeed become a good or even a great player for Connacht. This is an opinion not a diffinitive judgement.

I predict Vainikolo will be a very good player for us.  Not sure how anyone can make a definitive judgment after seeing him for just 60 minutes.

This guy is seriously talented he will come good, last night was not his best night firstly through a serious lack of ball, and when it did come his way albeit late and on the end of a bad pass he was on the back foot. On defence he will also come good, and you will see some serious physical encounters.

Looks to me like a fella who won't appreciate the rain and wind and the wet ball. We need more. Time will tell

Not impressed on first showing !!

"Weather isn't quite the same" ... understated methinks.

Conncaht Rugby Catchup wrote:
[size=10pt]Connacht World Cup Star Returns

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Connacht's Tongan World Cup hero Fetu'u Vainikolo returned to the Province this week. The 26 year old flying winger played a huge role in Tonga's narrow 20 points to 25 loss to Canada and impressed selectors to gain another starting XV against Japan the following week. He marked that occasion with a magnificent try as Tonga secured their 1st victory of the World Cup, beating Japan 31 points to 18. 95Kg Vainikolo, who was born in Tofoa, Tonga, played with Northland, Otago  & the Highlanders before joining Connacht earlier this Summer.

He was part of the 2011 Tongan World Cup pool 1 team along with teamsmates Soane Tonga'uiha (Northanpton Saints), Taufa'ao Filise (Cardiff Blues) and former Connacht centre Andrew Ma'ilei.

Speaking on his return he said:

"Playing for my home country was a huge honour and being part of the World Cup was an amazing experience. For some players it's a once in a lifetime achievement so I'm delighted to have had the opportunity to test myself at the highest level. Being back in the Connacht squad is great, the weather isn't quite the same but it's good to be back involved with the team and I'm looking forward to getting stuck into the league now."[/size]

Would be great if he is. Still a while before that is on so a good chance of being there or there about.

I wonder will he be available for the Blues game ??

I hope he is OK, be a Good boost to the Team now, that are riding high to get a Lad home from the World Cup to push the momentum on!

He was in a suit on the sidelines and didn't look too bad. Not limping or anything, so what ever the reason it looks like it's not a major issue.

Hopefully it won't be a problem in terms of him travelling all the way from NZ.

Well, he may not have played by well done Tonga!

Some chat on Twitter last night that he mised out due to injury, and found and article confirming same (no mention of nature though)....

www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=63451

Well, he may not have played by well done Tonga!