I agree

I think that aussie 24 man squad is the worst in years, they pretty much just picked people out coz they played in the gf. I also think that the kiwi squad looks like their strongest in years.

The 24 man squads should be chosen prior to the finals to avoid bias sliding towards the successful teams, and they shouldn't just add players because they played well in the final.

your right this is the worst team i have every seen. no hunt or cooper

Yeh.. Cant belive they left out Tupou either. He was playing awesome in the finals. He adds heaps off the bench..but did get that kidney knock in NZ but i cant see that as a reason no to select him.

 if i was a aussy fan id be spewing,how did the dallym player of the year not get in,stewart at fullback is a no brainer,but i agree on th tupou axing!!!did thet actually pick fitzgibbon???cooper cronk was unlucky but spare a thought for scott prince if he was going to go close to that dallym title he was owning before that broken arm.if a kiwi boys turn up with a game like that last 60 against aussy this year look out.aussy will be tuff but i think they picked to many players on reputation rather then form,folau has been average in my books.spewing

i think the Australian is at good as it gets atm

tupo was not in form he was starting from the bench in the finals plus the team should be chosen before the nrl finals series players who play the finals series performances r fresh in selectors minds, australias second row is not as strong as normal for this world cup

whiteknight:

tupo was not in form he was starting from the bench in the finals plus the team should be chosen before the nrl finals series players who play the finals series performances r fresh in selectors minds, australias second row is not as strong as normal for this world cup

Tupou not in form? Dude, in his last game against the Warriors, in a sold out Mt Smart Stadium... he was the only rooster I remember always getting over the advantage line, off loading and constantly giving the Warriors any trouble, while injured too...

Oh well, Tonga's gain!

Yeah gotta agree on the state of selections for the OZ team.. too many guys in there on the back of playing in the grand final does the regular season count for nil??.. Glenn Stewart is the most overated player in the comp an honest worker is probably the best you can say bout him.. picking him ahead of Tupou is crazy.. but hey its Tongas gain hahaha

 The OZ squad appears shy on real ball playing forwards well see if that bites them in the ass

Unfortuntely tho for the rest of us they (OZ) will more than likely have too much class across the paddock doh!! hopefully theyll get a more than a few frights along the way..

Folau should be in the Tongan Team!!

I was thinking the same thing...

Seem to be lacking real off loading, ball playing forwards... eg Gordon Tallis, Anthony Tupou, Willie Mason...

all Tongans too I might add hehe!

Gordon Tallis comes from Aboriginal heritage but i agree with you on the Tupou part.

 

Why Fittler started him on the bench during the final series is beyond me. The only game he was given a start was the broncos game and he dominated the first half.

He got taken off and look what happened.

 

The Tongan side looks dangerous.

brad_rugby:

Gordon Tallis comes from Aboriginal heritage but i agree with you on the Tupou part.

 

Why Fittler started him on the bench during the final series is beyond me. The only game he was given a start was the broncos game and he dominated the first half.

He got taken off and look what happened.

 

The Tongan side looks dangerous.

Sup Brad

 I'm pretty sure back in 1995 Tallis & John Hopoate were first picked for the Tongan squad at the time, but both pulled out once they were selected for the Kangaroos team...

I heard one of his grand-parents were Tongan... he may be part Aboriginal/Tongan like Willie Tonga... can anyone else shed any light on this?

Anyways... bring on the WC!

I believe A Tupou, Moimoi & Tuiaki find out today from RLIF if they can play for Tonga or not... haha! A bit farcical, but hell we'll take it, and it will only make the WC better any way!

 

Gorden Tallis' Grandfather is Tongan, his Aboriginal part not sure. but in 1995 worldcup he was selected by Mike McClennan(Brian McClennans' dad-Leeds coach) who coached tonga at the time to play for Tonga. Mike McClennan used the NRL data where every player playing has there bloodlines on it, & Tallis was foundout. McClennan only used that data-base thingy to find out players of Tongan heritage. Gorden Tallis even appeared on a pacific programme we have here called Tagata Pasifika on that same year & Tallis himself said his Grandfather is Tongan.

Yeah Gordon Tallis is part aboriginal 2.. tho I didnt realise until recently when he was nominated and named in the indeginous team of the century

I knew he was Tongan.. he played for them a pacific cup tourny before he cracked the OZ team.. Hes 1 tuff hombre use to love watching him and Jarrod Macracken go at it.. Beautiful!!