Fiji Squad for Pacific 5 Nations

[IanC]

Taken from Fijilive.com (with a few adjustments)

Former Fiji Test skipper Simon Raiwalui has been named in the Flying Fijians squad for the Pacific Five Nations tournament. The Saracens club lock is one of 11 overseas-based players named in the 27-member squad by Flying Fijians coach Wayne Pivac.

Notable names include Biarritz speedster Sireli Bobo, Japan-based Iferemi Tawake, Leicester Tigers centre Seru Rabeni, Alifereti Doviverata, Josese Bale and Agen flanker Aca Ratuva.The highlight of the squad was the selection of 16 local players, with nippy Nadroga halfback Emosi Vucago among them.

Pivac said the large number of local players named was an indication of the rising level of rugby in the Colonial Cup and the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup. He thanked the people at Colonial and the IRB for masterminding these competitions to raise the standard of rugby in the country. A surprise inclusion in the side was Fiji 7s reps Jone Daunivucu and Sakiusa Masi.

The team marches into camp on Monday, May 22 at the Peninsula Hotel and will play a Fiji Selection side on May 27. Former Highlanders Super 12 utility player Iliesa Tanivula and Fiji Warriors coach Iferemi Tawake are the assistant coaches. The manager is Joe Brown and trainer Fereti Verebula.

The Flying Fijians and the Junior All Blacks will kick start the IRB's inaugural Pacific Five Nations in Suva on June 3. Fiji takes on Tonga in Gosford, Australia, in round two, Samoa in Suva on June 24 and Japan in Osaka the week after on July 1.

Flying Fijians squad: Apisai Nagi, Josaia Lotawa, Josese Bale, Ravuama Samo, Sunia Koto, Iferemi Rawaqa, Simon Raiwalui, Isoa Domolailai, Alifereti Doviverata, Netani Talei, Sakiusa Matadigo, Akapusi Qera, Aca Ratuva, Kiniviliame Salabogi, Mosese Rauluni, Emosi Vucago, Seremaia Bai, Jone Daunivucu, Jo Tora, Seru Rabeni, Kameli Ratuvou, Epeli Ruivadra, Maleli Kunavore, Mosese Luveitasau, Sekove Leawere, Sireli Bobo, Norman Ligairi.

[egon]

NAZIONALE GIAPPONESE: I 28 ATLETI CHE AFFRONTERANNO L'ITALIA
C'E' ANCHE DAISUKE OHATA, 65 METE IN TEST-MATCH

22/5/2006, Tokyo – Definita la rosa della Nazionale Giapponese, prossima avversaria della Nazionale Italiana di Pierre Berbizier in occasione del tour estivo. Jean-Pierre Elissalde, il tecnico transalpino alla guida del XV del Sol Levante, ha diramato una lista di 28 giocatori che verranno utilizzati nella prima edizione del 5 Nazioni del Pacifico, al via il 4 giugno, e nel test-match di Tokyo contro l’Italia del prossimo 11 giugno.

Della squad nipponica fa parte anche l’ala dei Kobe Steel, Daisuke Ohata, che di recente ha superato l’australiano David Campese nella speciale classifica dei migliori metaman internazionali di sempre con 65 mete segnate in Nazionale.

Questi i 28 atleti convocati con la Nazionale del Giappone:

PILONI: Yuichi HISADOMI (Green Rockets), Kenji KASAI (Toshiba), Ryo YAMAMURA (Yamaha Motor), Tomokazu SOMA (Sanyo)
TALLONATORI: Yuji MATSUBARA (Kobe Steel), Takashi YAMAOKA (Suntory)
SECONDE LINEE: Hitoshi ONO (Toshiba), Toshizumi KITAGAWA (Toyota), Tsuyoshi SATO (Sanyo), Tomoaki TANIGUCHI (Toyota)
TERZE LINEE: Ryota ASANO (Green Rockets), Takashi KIKUTANI (Toyota), Hajime KISO (Yamaha), Takanori KUMAGAE (Green Rockets), Takuro MIUCHI (NEC), Tomoaki NAKAI (Toshiba)
MEDIANI DI MISCHIA: Wataru IKEDA (Sanyo), Mamoru ITO (Toshiba)
MEDIANI D’APERTURA: Eiji ANDO (Green Rockets)
CENTRI: Yuta IMAMURA (Waseda University), Atsushi MORIYA (Yamaha), Hideyuki YOSHIDA (Kubota), Shotaro ONISHI (Yamaha)
ALI: Kosuke ENDO (Toyota), Daisuke OHATA (Kobe Steel), Nataniela OTO (Toshiba)
ESTREMI: Hiroki MIZUNO (Toyota), Keiji TAKEI (Green Rockets)


Fonte: http://www.federugby.it/news.asp?36611

[BaRoNeBiRRa]

ci sono anche i convocati da TOnga?

[IanC]

Taken from Wsamoa.com


Positions Names Clubs/Province

PROPS
1. Filemoni Toleafoa (Montpellier, FRANCE)
2. Census Johnston (Biarritz, FRANCE)
3. Jeremy Tomuli (Bayonne, FRANCE)
4. Donald Kerslake Vaiala, Samoa

HOOKERS
5. Mahonri Schwalger Avalon (Wellington, New Zealand )
6. Muliufi Salanoa Falefa, SAMOA

LOCKS
7. Daniel Leo (London Irish, England)
8. Jonathan Faamatuainu (Bath, England)
9 Pelu Taele (Otago, New Zealand)

LOOSIES
10. Semo Sititi (Borders, Scotland)
11. Daniel Farani (Natal Sharks, South Africa)
12. Isaac Feaunati (Bath, England)
13. Ofisa Ofisa (Malie Sharks, Samoa)
14. Ulia Ulia (Marist, SAMOA)

HALFBACKS
15. John Senio (Auckland Blues, New Zealand)
16. Garrick Cowley (Bay of Plenty, New Zealand)

FLY HALVES
17. Tanner Vili (JAPAN )
18. Douglas Sanft Marist, Auckland Blues, New Zealand)

2ND FIVES
19. Dominic Feaunati (London Irish, England)
20. Brian Lima (Bristol Shoguns, England)

CENTERS
21. Anitelea Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, England)
22. Seilala Mapusia (Otago Highlanders, New Zealand)

WINGS
23. Alesana Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, England)
24. Lome Faatau (Hurricanes, New Zealand)
25. Timoteo Iosua (Vaiala, Samoa)

FULLBACKS
26. Loki Crighton (Waikato Chiefs, New Zealand)
27. Lolo Lui

[egon]

5 NAZIONI DEL PACIFICO, FIJI BATTUTE A SUVA DAI JUNIOR ALL BLACKS
E DOMANI A FUKUOKA IL GIAPPONE AFFRONTA TONGA

3/6/2006, Suva – Le Isole Fiji, avversarie della Nazionale Italiana Rugby il prossimo 17 giugno a Lautoka, sono state sconfitte oggi per 17-35 dai Junior All Blacks nella gara inaugurale del 5 Nazioni del Pacifico, disputatasi a Suva. Domani, a Fukuoka, sarà invece il Giappone – che l’Italia sfiderà sabato prossimo, a Tokyo, nella prima tappa del tour estivo Azzurro- a scendere in campo nella prima giornata del nuovo torneo affrontando Tonga.


Fonte: http://www.federugby.it/news.asp?37023

[i-ching]

ma in TV nada eh?

[egon]

IRB Pacific 5 Nations schedule

Round 1
Saturday 3 June, Fiji v Junior All Blacks, Post Fiji Stadium, Suva, 3.00pm
Sunday 4 June, Japan v Tonga, Honjo Stadium, Fukuoka, 3.00pm

Round 2
Friday 9 June, Samoa v Junior All Blacks, North Harbour, 8.00pm
Saturday 10 June, Tonga v Fiji, Central Cost Stadium, Gosford, NSW, TBC

Round 3
Saturday 17 June, JAB v Tonga, Yarrows Stadium, New Plymouth, 4.30pm
Saturday 17 June, Samoa v Japan, Yarrows Stadium, New Plymouth, 2.00pm

Round 4
Saturday 24 June, JAB v Japan, Carrisbrooke, Dunedin, 2.30pm
Saturday 24 June, Fiji v Samoa, Post Fiji Stadium, Suva, 3.00pm

Round 5
Saturday 1 July, Tonga v Samoa, Central Cost Stadium, Gosford, NSW, TBC
Saturday 1 July, Japan v Fiji, Nagai Stadium, Osaka, 7.00pm

(All times local)


Fonte: http://www.irb.com/InTouch/Regions/0604 ... hedule.htm

[MT]

Fiji v Junior All Blacks 17-35

[egon]

Primi commenti dal sito dell'IRB.


Round 1
Saturday 3 June, Fiji 17-35 Junior All Blacks, Post Fiji Stadium, Suva

Junior All Blacks in dominant mood

[egon]

A FUKUOKA TONGA TRAVOLGE IL GIAPPONE 57-16
DOMENICA A TOKYO GLI AZZURRI CONTRO IL XV NIPPONICO

4/6/2006, Roma - Mentre la Nazionale Italiana Rugby di Pierre Berbizier vola verso Tokyo, dove domenica 11 giugno affronterà il Giappone nel primo test-match del tour estivo Azzurro (secondo impegno il 17 giugno, a Lautoka, contro le Isole Fiji), il XV nipponico di Jean-Pierre Elissalde incassa una dura sconfitta interna, a Fukuoka contro le Tonga nella prima giornata del 5 Nazioni del Pacifico.

La formazione tongana, nettamente superata in novembre dall’Italia (48-0) nel Jaguar Test Match di Prato, infligge al Giappone un pesante 16-57, affiancando i Junior All Blacks – ieri vittoriosi 35-17 sulle Fiji a Suva - in vetta alla classifica del 5 Nazioni al termine del primo turno, in cui ha riposato Samoa.


Fonte: http://www.federugby.it/news.asp?37057

[egon]

Dal sito di Planet Rugby.


Round 1
Sunday 4 June, Japan 16-57 Tonga, Honjo Stadium, Fukuoka

Tongans tonk the Brave Blossoms

[egon]

Dal sito dell'IRB.


Round 1
Sunday 4 June, Japan 16-57 Tonga, Honjo Stadium, Fukuoka

Tonga overwhelm Japan to head IRB Pacific 5 Nations

[egon]

Tonga and junior ABs off to winning starts


4 JUNE 2006

By Dominic Rumbles

Tonga produced the performance of the weekend as the inaugural IRB Pacific 5 Nations burst into life. The Tongans stormed to a 57-16 at Japan's Honjo Stadium on Sunday to top the table ahead of the Junior All Blacks, who defeated Fiji 35-17 at the Post Fiji Stadium on Saturday.

Tonga, fielding a blend of experienced campaigners and talented youngsters who had impressed during the recent IRB Pacific Rugby Cup competition, ran in seven tries top secure a bonus point and head the standings above the Junior All Blacks on points difference.

The match hung in the balance as the first half finished with the visitors just two points ahead at 15-13, but Tonga rallied to score six second half tries in an open attacking display of running rugby to kill off a Japan side that simply could not win any quality possession after the interval.

Tonga drew first blood when Japanese-based Powerhouse number eight Tevita Fifita crashed over for the first of his brace of tries. Captain Sosiua Tauamalolo added the conversion

The lead was to be short-lived however as Japan, fresh from the early stages of Rugby World Cup qualifying, came straight back into the match when winger Nataniela Oto scored after a powerful driving maul deep inside the Tongan half. Shortaro Onishi converted to level the scores.

Powerful winger Tevita Viakona, who plays his club rugby for Saracens in England, scored Tonga’s second try before an exchange of penalties either side of the interval saw Tonga lead 18-13

One-way traffic

However, the final thirty minutes of the match was all one-sided traffic as Tonga moved up a gear to end Japan’s hopes of getting anything out of the opening game of the competition.

Under immense pressure the tired Japanese defence finally broke as Tonga ran in six tries through blindside Christopher Hala’ufa, lock Paino Kelekolio Hehea, full back Pierre Hola, number eight Tevita Fifita and replacement Lotu Filipine. Hola, who assumed the kicking duties after the interval, weighed in with a personal haul of 17 points to cap an impressive performance.

Tonga will be looking to continue the good form when they host Fiji, who lost 35-17 to the Junior All Blacks, in Round Two on Friday, while Samoa make their debut against the Junior All Blacks in North Harbour. Tonga, who have a bye, will face Italy in a one-off Test.

Junior All Blacks claim bonus point

The Junior All Blacks, containing a number of players with Test and Super 14 experience, ran in four tries to claim a valuable bonus point, but were made to work extremely hard by a Fiji side, who would have ran the visitors close had they made the most of their opportunities.

Suva was a sea of white jerseys as the Fiji rugby community turned out in their droves to sea the start of this exciting new competition that provides more Test rugby to the Pacific Island Unions and Japan and the partisan supporters were treated to a match of considerable quality.

Indeed the much to the partisan crowd’s delight Fiji had the better of the opening exchanges and raced into an early 7-0 lead when impressive openside flanker Aca Ratuva crashed over for the game’s opening try. Fly half Seremia Bia converted.

Both players were prominent in the recent IRB Pacific Rugby Cup, proving that that the competition plays an integral part in the development pathway for locally-based players in the Islands.

With players like Caleb Ralph, Corey Flynn and Josh Blackie in the team, the Junior All Blacks were always going to fight their way back into the game and after Stephen Donald had got the visitors onto the scoreboard with a penalty Number eight Nick Williams crossed the whitewash for a fine try, which was converted by Donald who stretched the lead to 13-7 with his second penalty after 24 minutes.

Fiji roared on by home support

The visitors threatened to cut free, but roared on by the home support, Fiji came right back and dominated the final ten minutes of the half. Bai added his second penalty after 30 minutes to leave the match in the balance at 13-10 at the interval.

After the break the Junior All Blacks turned on the style as the Fijian’s faded in the Suva heat. Openside Josh Blackie, centre Cameron McIntyre and replacement Johnny Leo’o all added second half tries to help the visitors establish a comfortable 35-10 with ten minutes to go.

However, Fiji, resilient until the last, saved their best until four minutes from time when returning local hero Rupeni Caucau finished a great move to score a very popular try in front of his home fans.

Although disappointed with his team’s performance, Fiji coach Wayne Pivac said that there was plenty to build on ahead of next weekend’s trip to Gosford to take on Tonga.

Beaten by a better team

“We were beaten by the better team today. Our fitness dropped off during the second half, which resulted in us making so many turnovers and mistakes. We did create opportunities in the back line, but we need to work on what went wrong today.

For the Junior All Blacks the match proved an invaluable exercise for players who are on the verge of Test recognition and coach Colin Cooper said that he was pleased with his side’s opening showing in the competition.

“I thought that our defence worked particularly well today. We really did not give Fiji any space knowing that they had plenty of pace out wide. We also attacked the ball on the ground really well and I am pleased with the start that we have made.”

Japan host Tonga on Sunday in what is expected to be a highly-competitive game and with just one match gone, the inaugural IRB Pacific 5 Nations is already shaping up to be a entertaining and competitive tournament.



IRB Pacific 5 Nations table Round One

P W D L PF PA PD BP PTS
1. Tonga 1 1 0 0 57 16 +41 1 5
2. Jnr All Blacks 1 1 0 0 35 17 +18 1 5
3. Fiji 1 0 0 1 17 35 -18 0 0
4.Japan 1 0 0 1 16 57 -41 0 0
5. Samoa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Round one squad details

Japan: 15 Hiroki Mizuno, 14 Dazuke Ohata (Kosuke Endo), 13 Atasushi Moriya, 12 Hideyuki Yoshida (Eiji Ando), 11 Nataniela Oto, 10 Shotaro Onishi, 9 Mamoru Ito (Wataru Ikeda), 1 Yuichi Hisadomi, 2 Takashi Yamaoka (Yuji Matsubara), 3 Kenji Kasai (Tomokazu Soma), 4 Toshizumi Kitagawa, 5 Tsuyoshi Sato (Tomoaki Taniguch), 6 Ryota Asano (captain), 7 Hare Makiri (Tomoaki Naka), 8 Takashi Kikutani
Tries: Nataniela Oto
Cons: Shotaro Onishi
Pens: Shotaro Onishi 3

Tonga: 15 Pierre Hola, 14 Tevita Tuifua (Viliami Hakalo), 13 Sukanaivalu Hufanga, 12 Tatafu Naaniumotu (Kosilio Tonga’uiha), 11 Tevita Vaikona, 10 Sosiua Taumalolo (captain), 9 David Palu (Soane Havea), 1 Kisi Pulu (Eghiraim Taukafa), 2 Ma’afu Pale, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 4 Paino Kelekolio Hehea, 5 EmosiKauhenga, 6 Christopher Hala’ufa (Lotu Filipine), 7 Nili Latu, 8 Tevita Fifita
Scoring details to follow

Fiji: 15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Mosese Luveitasau, 13 Epeli Ruivadra, 12 Seru Rabeni (Kameli Ratuvou 62), 11 Rupeni Caucau (Jo Tora 78), 10 Seremaia Bai, 9 Seveci Taka (Emosi Vucago 78), 8 Alifereti Doviverata, 7 Aca Ratuva (Akapusi Qera 67), 6 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 5 Simon Raiwalui (capt), 4 Isoa Domolailai (Netani Talei 53), 3 Apisai Nagi, 2 Sunia Koto (Joeli Lotawa 67), 1 Josese Bale (Ravuama Samo 62)
Tries: Ratuva, Caucau
Conversion: Bai (2)
Penalties: Bai

Junior All Blacks: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Anthony Tuitavake (Viliame Waqaseduadua 60), 13 Niva Ta’auso (Tamati Ellison 60), 12 Cameron McIntyre, 11 Caleb Ralph, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Jamie Nutbrown (Kevin Senio 66), 8 Nick Williams, 7 Josh Blackie, 6 Steven Bates (Johnny Leo’o 58), 5 Bernie Upton, 4 Tom Donnelly (Hoani MacDonald 65), 3 John Afoa (Campbell Johnston 56), 2 Corey Flynn (capt), 1 Saimoni Taumoepeau (Wyatt Crockett 50)
Tries:William, Blackie, McIntyre, Leoó
Conversions: Donald, McIntyre(2)
Penalties: Donald (2), McIntyre


Fonte: http://www.irb.com/EN/Tournaments+and+E ... ay+one.htm

[egon]

Related Unions

-FIJI

-JAPAN

-NEW ZEALAND

-SAMOA


Fonte: http://www.irb.com/EN/Tournaments+and+E ... ay+one.htm

[egon]

Dal sito di Planet Rugby.


Round 2
Friday 9 June, Samoa v Junior All Blacks, North Harbour, 8.00pm
Saturday 10 June, Tonga v Fiji, Central Cost Stadium, Gosford, NSW, TBC

-Preview - Samoa v Junior ABs

-Preview - Tonga v Fiji