Monday Morning Dummy Half: Tonga Focus
In today's Monday Morning Dummy Half we have a focus on Tongan and women's rugby league, a few Aotearoa Kiwis matters and then sprinkle a bit of seasoning with some funky hard and fast stats. Whether I'm talking about Tonga, or Tongan Invitational, I don't know so I will just refer to Tonga as Tonga for the time being and that's lovely place to start; have Tonga's issues behind the scenes been resolved?
It's been rather sad to see the cycle of folks in power in Pacific Islands sport/government enjoying the fruits of reckless work continue, this time with Tongan rugby league and 2019 finished with the Tongan players doing amazing work on and off the field. The players led by Jason Taumalolo, Andrew Fifita, Siosiua Taukeiaho, William Hopoate and Siliva Havili made it clear that they want the benefits of their move in representing Tonga to the fullest. That's nothing but admirable and from the outside looking in, I got the feeling that the recent years for these players has been about winning footy games for Tonga as well as providing for their communities.
Those in the offices and boardrooms didn't seem to respect that and went down the selfish path, resulting in last year's split between the playing group and the national body. I found it rather amusing that those in the offices and boardrooms agitated matters by pretending that Frank Endacott, or Manu Vatuvei and Israel Folau could save the day. Ultimately the players saved the day and pushed on as the Tongan Invitational.
Has there been anything close to a resolution process? Have bridges between the playing group and 'power brokers' been built? Otherwise, if players can not see that their efforts in representing Tonga are not flowing down to communities in Tonga, we could have another prickly few months in which these matters are worked through.
As for the playing group, they have to balance out a near-endless cache of emerging forwards and backs with the lack of play-makers. Ata Hingano (Pakuranga Jaguars) left Canberra Raiders for Queensland Intrust Super Cup team Mackay Cutters for this year and that's been heavily impacted by the pandemic as Hingano is one of many lads who ain't playing footy. That's an escalation of an unfortunate slide for Hingano as he couldn't establish himself as a halves (or hooker) contender with the Raiders, slipped into reserve grade and then reserve grade is scratched for 2020.
Tuimoala Lolohea (Marist Saints) is with Salford Red Devils in the Super League and they apparently returned to training last week - four months after their previous training. Lolohea and Hingano could slide into the halves together for Tonga as they'll have a monster forward pack once again, along with already-sussed combinations. Not just a combo together, but also with Siliva Havili (Manurewa Marlins) who has to be celebrated for how he has wiggled through situations with the Dragons and Raiders to now be starting at hooker in the absence of Josh Hodgson.
Hopoate and Fanitesi Niu can cover fullback, Niu could cover the halves if Hingano or Lolohea is unavailable. There is also stretchy versatility with Bulldogs utility Sione Katoa (Randwick Kingfishers/Upper Hutt Tigers) who has played hooker and middle forward for the Bulldogs and could cover the halves at a pinch. Tonga have done a great job with integrating prospects into their set up though as Niu got a crack last year, while Warriors junior William Fakatoumafi (Otahuhu Leopards) was selected in their Nines squad last year and talented Warriors junior half Sione Moala (Manurewa Marlins) appears to have spent time in camp last year as well.
That is the nek level for Tonga as they aren't just performing at the top-end, they are also building a pipeline to their top-end with junior prospects. No such need with their forward pack as big boppers such as Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans), Sitili Tupouniua (Roosters/Marist), Ofahiki Ogden (Bulldogs/Mangere East), Taniela Paseka (Sea Eagles), Albert Vete (Storm/St Kents) and Eliesa Katoa (Warriors/Tamaki College) are all in the mix.
Thinking about Fakatoumafi, Moala and some of these forwards has me intrigued about the eligibility decisions awaiting these players. Such decisions are always up to the individual and everyone's all good to do what they want, hence it's impossible to break down what moves a player might make. Aotearoa Kiwis feel like they have done everything possible to build an attractive culture under Michael Maguire and given that Aotearoa via NZRL has provided all sorts of camps, growth opportunities and development pathways for many of these players, some may want to return that goodwill.
Alternatively, Tonga is also building an attractive team unit and I'd suggest there is something unique in how Tongans feel about representing Tonga. Kiwis coach Maguire would definitely be pondering Fotuaika's growth with the Titans, while Katoa could be another candidate for Maguire to target. Tonga would be going hundies in keeping Fotuaika and grabbing Katoa asap as these two are among the best young forwards in the NRL and these are examples of the funk that is to come with regards to international eligibility.
I'd also suggest that chopping/changing between Tonga and Aotearoa is no longer. Sure, it may be possible but those in the Tongan camp are going to be very difficult to extract from the Tonga set up and moved into Kiwis camp. Perhaps vice-versa as well, with there being benefits in spending time with the Kiwis.
Also, Sharks winger Sione Katoa has played for the Junior Kiwis having spent his younger years in Hamilton before moving to Sydney. That feels like a minimal Aotearoa connection, thus bumping Katoa towards Tonga. The funk doesn't stop there though as Ronaldo Multitalo (Sharks/Ellerslie Eagles) was named in Queensland's Emerging Origin squad over the summer, as well as being named in the Queensland Under 20s Emerging Origin squad the previous year alongside Daejarn Asi (Cowboys/Aranui Eagles) and Murray Taulagi (Cowboys/Otahuhu RFC).
That smells like eligibility battles on all fronts for coach Maguire and while Mulitalo and Asi specifically aren't quite pushing for Kiwis 1st 17 selection, Maguire will be interested. Asi feels like a perfect candidate to spend time in Kiwis camp later this year, similar to how Starford To'a (Knights/Mt Wellington Warriors) spent time in Kiwis camp last year. The doosra would be if Maguire didn't care for those who are undecided and instead opts to zone in on players who are all in on Kiwis footy.
Hopefully we will be graced with NRLW, as scheduled and Aotearoa Warriors made a move to promote Slade Griffin as their wahine coach, replacing Luisa Avaiki who looks to having taken up a role as Head of Women's Rugby League with NZRL. Considering that I reckon women's rugby league in Aotearoa is at a severe disadvantage to women's rugby league in Australia, plenty of work is required to build systems and high performance stuff in Aotearoa.
There are some Kiwi Ferns currently playing in the Sydney women's competition, while the rest of the kiwi wahine are either playing in the local Auckland comp or around Aotearoa. With Australia having Women's State of Origin and holding the majority of the NRLW roster spots, that's where Australia has the advantage.
Kiwi Ferns in Sydney: Nita Maynard, Teuila Fotu-Moala (North Sydney), Kiana Takairangi (Cronulla Sharks), Raecene McGregor (Wests Tigers).
Also notable, Justin Morgan stepped aside as Kiwi Ferns coach which is likely related to greater responsibilities with Aotearoa Warriors. With a World Cup next year, there is a lot of work to be done to lay down a powerful Ferns team and culture, which involves raising the quality of the NRLW professionals while also bringing through younger players.
The Grubber
#KiwiNRL Signings
Corey Harawira-Naerea: Bulldogs to Raiders.
Northland's Harawira-Naera move stems from summer dramas, but this feels like a beautiful move as he's a mobile, skillful, funky baller who suits the style of the Raiders. Usually plays edge, can play middle and much will depend on how Wellington's Joseph Tapine is deployed (see below).
Asu Kepaoa: Roosters to Tigers.
Impacted by the return of Sonny Bill Williams, Kepaoa has been highly regarded at the Roosters since moving from Auckland (Sacred Heart College) after representing Aotearoa at Under 16 (2016) and Under 18 Residents (2017). Winger or centre, tall and rangey.
Dylan Brown made 28 tackles at 100 percent vs West Tigers.
All up Brown is tackling at 92.6% and while playing all 11 games this season, Brown has missed 3+ tackles just twice.
Brown has had 1 or no missed tackles in seven games. Brown is also the only half in the top-50 for run metres, he slipped a bit this weekend to 50th.
Either way, Brown is proving himself nifty in the basics of NRL half-play.
Shaun Johnson is still 1st in try assists with 16, Jarome Luai and Jahrome Hughes both have 9 try assists.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is the only back in the top-10 for post-contact-metres (10th).
Massive effort from a few Otahuhu Leopards, first Isaac Liu for Roosters in their win over Warriors:
52mins, 17 runs for 147m @ 8.64m/run, 1 offload, 21 tackles @ 91.3 percent.
Then Raymond Faitala-Mariner for Bulldogs in their nifty win over Knights on an edge:
80mins, 1 try, 19 runs for 149m @ 7.84m/run, 5 tackle busts, 1 offload, 38 tackles @ 88.4 percent.
Joseph Tapine has hit a slight nek level, running for 160+ metres in his last two games for the first time this season and in both games Tapine cam off the bench. Here's Tapine's work vs Rabbitohs:
55mins, 17 runs for 170m @ 10m/run, 1 tackle bust, 2 offloads, 38 tackles @ 100 percent.
Northland's Caleb Aekins returned to NRL footy at fullback for Penrith Panthers in their win over Titans:
80mins, 21 runs for 163m @ 8.15m/run, 1 offload, 3 tackles.
That's a very Aekins-ish stat line, ideally he offers a bit more punch and funk. Aekins has a habit of racking up big stats and if that's coming with Panthers wins, in Aekins small window of opportunity then that's all good.
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Peace and love