Manu has played the full 80 for us before so its not a first.

Leo Latu was awsome for Tonga. Jennings pass for the last try was sensational.

Best game by a mile.

I stand corrected

What a fantastic match Tonga vs Ireland was, if you missed it, make sure you try and catch a replay. Ireland had every chance to win the game. Tonga's ill discipline was as bad as I have ever seen. Some awesome hits from the Tonga team too.

Was it me, or did Australia look and play as if they couldn't even be bothered, yet still plastered them.

Ive seen much more complete performances from the Roos in the past that is for certain.

Agree with everything there, think some Wakey fans must be wondering why Leo-Latu hasnt done that for them



Thought Tonga could have been up by quite a bit by half time if it wasnt for giving tons of pens away. Classic game though, best game I've seen this season

I didnt think the Aussies were all that good, good but not awesome or anything. I think that the current NZ is very poor compared to the sides they put out 2 or 3 years ago, nevermind the years before that

They did the basics right and won every collision etc easily. I'd take a performance like that from England happily!

I think NZ need to get shut of Leuluai at SH if they want to improve. Not a fan of Fien at 7 but he would do a better job and Issac Luke would go well at hooker, he played really well in the Anzac Test this season. They could even play Hohaia at 7 and it would be an improvement tbh.

If Motu Tony and Brent Webb were fit im not sure Hohaia or Fien would be playing. Not a fan of TL at 7 with a running 6 next to him either but thought Marshall really struggled to impose himself on the game too. Noticable that when he could be bothered to run at the line he looked dangerous but looked totally lethargic.

The Tonga/Ireland game was the best match of the World cup so far. Some very big hits from the Tongan's but credit to Ireland for the way they played also.
The next step for the NRL must be to add teams from PNG & the Pacific nations.

PNG definately.

Webb would be the fullback no question and he makes a difference to NZ. Not sure about Motu, he would get in ahead of Hohaia but think Luke and Fien would be ahead of him in the hooking role. He would make the squad though.

NZ have always had this problem, if Stacey Jones does not play 7 they have noone to get them around the field. Considering the finish to the season NZW had with Fien playing at 7 then I thought they would go with him there.

Marshall is an amazing player, some of his 'no look' balls are amazing, However he was playing with no SH and behind a beaten pack so he had no room to work with.

Could the same not be said about TL though? Cant make excuses for one half back and not the other.

Would a joint Pacific Island franchise work? Just wondering whether their national identities would accept a combined team and it could work financially, logistically and on the field?

Not to sure of a Samoa /Tonga franchise

If you want to compare TL and BM then be my guest. Of course its the same for both but the difference is Marshall is a quality player at any level and TL just isn't.

Looks like we'll see Calderwood against the Aussies, terrible luck for Smith. news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 692459.stm

Looks like we'll see Calderwood against the Aussies, terrible luck for Smith. news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 692459.stm

Im not comparing them, my point was that if you are saying Marshall was annonymous because of a beaten pack it can be said about why TL was poor too.

TL is taking a hammering in the Aussie press so much so that Adrian Lam is even discussing who will replace him at 7 for the game against PNG!



Very few Kiwis made any impression on the game so to make Tommy the scape goat is pretty harsh IMO.

Yup, and they are very short of options. Expectations were probably higher of Marshall that TL, i would have expected Marshall to get more stick.

Harsh but fair. He was poor earlier in the year aswell for NZ. He is not to blame for the defeat but in all honesty they need a better no.7 then him.

Marshall is still a bit of a golden boy I reckon. Hasnt played many internationals so probably getting more slack because of this.

Would expect if his performances dont improve over the next couple of games that the pressure will be on him. The PNG game this weekend is a massive one for both countries.

Fien could play at 7 and he did run his blood to water yesterday but again I dont think he has the quality in that position to compete against the Aussies.

Like I said I agree about that but TL just is not good enough to play 7 for NZ. Marshall has been hit and miss this season after coming back from a horrendous run on injuries. However as the season went on he started to show some of the brilliance that he is known for. He should be back to his best next season I would have though with a full offseason behind him. He has drifted in and out of games this season but Kearney will know he can be a gamebreaker and there is no way he will be dropped.

Think this replies for me too



Marshall appears to be a golden boy with no substance at international level. He needs to turn it on soon.