International Action Round Up

In Aberdeen Steve Mafi got a last minute yellow card for a petulant tip over after the whistle, but it mattered not as Tonga secured a shock 21-15 over the Scots, their first against a home nation.  Marcos Ayerza was not as lucky as Argentina were pummelled by Ireland 46-17.

At Twickenham some muddled thinking by both players and management cost England a victory, Toby Flood scored 6 points before departing early.  Manu Tuilagi tried valiantly to keep England in it with a series of powerful bursts as Dan Cole and Tom Youngs went well.  Ben Youngs and Geoff Parling round out the England contingent that was close but not good enough. 

In Florence Martin Castrogiovanni and his Italy chums came agonisingly close to a maiden victory against Australia as they lost 19-22.  In Tbilisi Vereniki Goneva played at 12 and grabbed a try as Fiji pulled off a close victory 24-19 against Georgia, confirming a whitewash for the hosts and preventing one for themselves.

Castro to face Wallabies

Martin Castrogiovanni has retained his place in Italy's starting lineup for their test against the Wallabies in Florence this Saturday.  Italy fronted up well to the All Blacks last week before being blown away in the final 30 minutes, they will be hoping to face the Australia that capitulated in Paris rather than the heros of Twickenham.

Italy: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Giovambattista Venditti, 13 Tommaso Benvenuti, 12 Alberto Sgarbi, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse (captain), 7 Robert Barbieri, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Francesco Minto, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Andrea Lo Cicero.
Replacements: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Michele Rizzo, 18 Lorenzo Cittadini, 19 Antonio Pavanello, 20 Simone Favaro, 21 Manoa Vosawai, 22 Tobias Botes, 23Luke McLean.

Steve Mafi named on Bench for Pittodrie Clash

Tonga have named their side for this Saturday's clash with Scotland in Aberdeen's Pittodrie Stadium.  The only change sees Steve Mafi drop to the bench to replaced by veteran flanker Hale T-Pole, a star of the 2007 World Cup. 

Tonga : Vungakoto Lilo (Tarbes Pyrenees), Fetu'u Vainikolo (Connacht), Sukanaivalu Hufanga (Newcastle Falcons), Sione Piukala (Perpignan), Will Helu (Fasi Ma'ufanga), Fangatapu Apikotoa (Amatori), Taniela Moa (Pau), Viliami Ma'afu (unattached); Alisona Taumalolo (Perpignan), Elvis Taione (Western Force), Halani Aulika (London Irish), Joe Tu'ineau (Aix en Provence), Tukulua Lokotui (Wellington), Hale T-Pole (Northland), Nili Latu (captain, NEC).
Replacements : Ilaisa Ma'asi (Counties Manukau), Tevita Mailau (Mont De Marsan), Kamaliele Sakalia (Marist Tonga), Sitiveni Mafi (Leicester), Sione Timani (Llanelli), Viliame 'longi (Marist Longoteme), Eddie Paea (Eastern Suburbs), Alipate Fatafehi (Lyon).

Tank dropped but 6 others retained

England have responded to their loss to Australia by dropping Thomas "the Tank" Waldrom alongside Charlie Sharples and Tom Johnson.  Anthony Allen is again cut loose as England refuse to play the awesome foursome of Youngs, Flood, Allen and Tuilagi internationally despite their domination of domestic rugby.  

England have only picked one winger, Saracens Chris Ashton, so one of Jonathan Joseph, Mike Brown or Tuilagi will play on the wing.  It seems Lancaster is determined not to play a coherent back line at any point in his reign.
Wasps James Haskell has been called into the 24 man squad and looks set to feature.  This alters the balance of the Tigers v Wasps match significantly as now Wasps are missing both their first choice locks and a flanker, when they were probably only anticipating losing Palmer, whilst Tigers have Waldrom available again for selection.  

Though that is a selection headache Cockerill probably could have done without as JC was lined up to play the next two weeks.  

Retained in the squad are the 6 other Tigers that have featured in the past two test matches.

England squad:
Forwards
Mouritz Botha (Saracens)
Alex Corbisiero (London Irish)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
James Haskell (London Wasps)
Joe Launchbury (London Wasps)
Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby)
David Paice (London Irish)
Tom Palmer (London Wasps)
Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)(c)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)
Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Backs
Chris Ashton (Saracens)
Brad Barritt (Saracens)
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers)
Alex Goode (Saracens)
Jonathan Joseph (London Irish)
Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

The following 11 players have been released back to their clubs.
Anthony Allen (Leicester Tigers)
Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)
Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints)
Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
George Robson (Harlequins)
Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby)
Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins)
Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers)

International Round Up

At Twickenham 7 Tigers were in the 23 that succumbed 22-16 to the touring Wallabies.  Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Thomas Waldrom, Toby Flood and Manu Tuilagi all started in the "plum" kit whilst Ben Youngs featured from the bench. Tuilagi contributed a try, his 8th in 15 tests, and Flood scored with 3 penalties and also the conversion.  Notably this was the first test Tuilagi has scored in that England have lost.

In North Wales Steve Mafi played for Tonga as they bounced back from last weeks loss to Italy by beating the USA 22-13 thanks to two second half tries to overturn a 10-5 half time deficit. 

Martin Castrogiovanni and his Italy side put up a strong early showing against the All Blacks in Rome, keeping the score down to 13-7 at half time, and 23-10 when Castro departed on 56 minutes but ultimately the All Blacks again showed their class and scored 4 second half tries to win 42-10.

Marcos Ayerza played 72 minutes for Argentina as they lost out to France in Lille 39-22.  

Vereniki Goneva  played the whole game as Fiji were thrashed by an "Ireland XV" 53-0 at Thomund Park in Limerick. 

In the crowd, and shown on TV several times, for the Wales Samoa game was Logovi'i Mulipola and a gaggle of Tuilagis.  Brothers Henry, Andy and Freddie were joined by Freddie's two sons.  Samoa recorded a famous 26-19 victory that could have been much bigger.  Not really anything to do with Tigers but I couldn't resist including it!

Super Steve named for Yankee Test

Super Steve Mafi is set to make his 8th international appearance for Tonga as the Sea Eagles take on the United States of America in Colwyn Bay, North Wales.  The Tongans will be looking to set the record straight after a mid-week loss to Newcastle followed quickly after their close loss to Italy in Brescia.  However the USA are unlikely to provide as much as a test, they include Shawn Pittman at prop who is still without a club after his release from London Welsh this summer.

1.Alisona Taumalolo
2.Elvis Taione
3.Halani ’Aulika
4.Joe Tu’ineau
5.Tukulua Lokotui
6.Sitiveni Mafi
7.Nili Latu (C)
8.Viliami Ma’afu

9.Taniela Moa
10.Fangatapu ’Apikotoa
11.Fetu’u Vainikolo
12.Sione Piukala
13.Sukanaivalu Hufanga
14.Will Helu
15.Vungakoto Lilo

Bench:
16.Ilaisa Ma’asi
17.Kisi Pulu
18.Tevita Mailau
19.Hale T Pole
20.Josh Afu
21.Viliame ’longi
22.Eddie Paea
23.Alipate Fatafehi

USA:
1: Shawn Pittman (21 caps)
2: Chris Biller (20 caps)
3: Eric Fry (10 caps, 1 try, 5 points)
4: Brian Doyle (7 caps, 1 try, 5 points)
5: Louis Stanfill (34 caps, 3 tries, 15 points)
6: Scott LaValla (13 caps, 1 try, 5 points)
7: Eric Quill (1 cap)
8: Todd Clever - captain (44 caps, 11 tries, 55 points)
9: Robbie Shaw (3 caps, 2 tries, 10 points)
10: Toby L'Estrange (1 cap, 1 try, 5 points)
11: Luke Hume (4 caps, 1 try, 5 points)
12: Andrew Suniula (16 caps, 3 tries, 15 points)
13: Paul Emerick (51 caps, 16 tries, 80 points)
14: Cornelius Dirksen (1 cap)
15: Zachary Pangelinan (debutant)

Goneva to face Thomund Teest

The Flyting Fijians have retained the services of Tigers wing Vereniki Goneva for their match with Ireland at Thomund Park.  Rather arrogantly the Irish are refusing to cap this match, whether the IRB would allow this colonial 1980s attitude in a nation where they weren't based is an interesting thought, especially when we see Wales cap games against club sides.  It would have been strong government if the IRB had forced the Irish to cap this match.  Another consequence is that should Fiji pull off a shock they won't get any benefit in the World Rankings and equally Ireland wouldn't lose any points.  In a tight race for 8th place a shock here could have made a huge impact.

Shame on you Ireland.  Shame on you IRB.

Fiji: 15 Metuisela Talebula, 14 Simeli Koniferedi, 13 Vereniki Govena, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Watisoni Votu, 10 Jonetani Ralulu, 9 Nikola Matawalu, 8 Nemani Nagusa, 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Iliesa Ratuva, 5 Api Naikatini, 4 Leone Nakarawa, 3 Deacon Manu (captain), 2 Viliame Veikoso, 1 Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
Replacements: 16 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 17 Manasa Saulo, 18 Setefano Somoca, 19 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 20 Jovili Domolailai, 21 Kelemedi Bola, 22 Saula Radidi/Ravai Fatiaki, 23 Timoci Matanavou.

Ireland: 15 Denis Hurley, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip (captain), 7 John Muldoon, 6 Iain Henderson, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 David Kilcoyne.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Michael Bent, 19 Donncha Ryan, 20 Chris Henry, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Jonathan Sexton, 23 Simon Zebo.

10 out of 10 for Peerless Parling

Geoff Parling is in line to make his tenth start for England as they take on Australia this Saturday at Twickenham.  Parling made his debut away to Scotland in last years Six Nations and hasn't missed a test since.  His calming lineout presence was a great boon to Tom Youngs last week and his physical ruck work is exemplary, though often underrated due to his wiry frame.  

All 6 Tigers retain their places from last week, Manu Tuilagi winning his 15th cap, and Ben Youngs again has to make do with a place on the bench.

England (v Australia, Twickenham Stadium, Saturday 2.30pm)
15 Alex Goode (Saracens, 3 caps)
14 Chris Ashton (Saracens, 26 caps)
13 Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 14 caps)
12 Brad Barritt (Saracens, 8 caps)
11 Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby, 3 caps)
10 Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers, 51 caps)
9 Danny Care (Harlequins, 34 caps)
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 4 caps)
2 Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 32 caps)
4 Tom Palmer (London Wasps, 41 caps)
5 Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps)
6 Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs, 4 caps)
7 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, 9 caps) (c)
8 Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers, 3 caps)

Replacements
16 David Paice (London Irish, 3 caps)
17 David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 20 caps)
18 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 1 cap)
19 Joe Launchbury (London Wasps, 1 cap)
20 Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)
21 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 25 caps)
22 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 9 caps)
23 Mike Brown (Harlequins, 8 caps)

International Round Up

11 Tigers were in action across 5 countries in 3 different matches this weekend.  8 Tigers were in action at Twickenham as England easily beat Fiji, 54-12, Toby Flood contributed 17 points from the boot as he converted 4 of England's 7 tries.  Manu Tuilagi was to the fore late on as he bagged a brace of tries as Fijian legs tired.  Tom Youngs, on his debut, played 65 minutes with 6 minutes over lapping his brother Ben who made his appearance from the bench on 59 minutes.  Dan Cole made way just after the hour mark with the match sown up whilst Geoff Parling, Thomas Waldrom and Fijian Vereniki Goneva played the whole match.

In Brescia Steve Mafi played the whole match for Tonga as they lost closely, 28-23, to Italy.  Martin Castrogiovanni was on the bench and played the last 20 minutes as the Azzuri closed out the match as they prepare to face the All Blacks and the Australians in the next two weeks.

The happiest Tiger of the weekend will definitely be Marcos Ayerza.  Not only did he make his first major start for the Pumas for three years but he was on the winning side as Argentina won in Wales for only the second time, the first 11 years earlier to the day, 26-12.  A superb second half saw the Pumas score two tries as they blew away a Welsh side leading 9-6 at the half.  Marcos played virtually the whole match only making way on 79 minutes to give Bruno Postiglioni a first test match outside Argentina.

Just Gr8!

8 Tigers have been named by England supremo Stuart Lancaster for the 4 match Autumn International series.  There are 4 forwards: Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Thomas Waldrom and new inclusion Tom Youngs as well as the awesome foursome of Ben Youngs, Toby Flood, Anthony Allen and Manu Tuilagi in the backs.  That foursome have only lost 2 of over 30 games played together at club level, surely it is time to see if they can cut it at international level too?  

England will play Fiji, Australia, South Africa and then New Zealand.  The 8 players are in line to miss 5 Tigers games: 2 LV cup games, the Maori game, as well as Wasps away and Bath at home in the Premiership.

These 8 bring the number of Autumn calls on the Tigers to 13, including 4 props, as Mulipola (Samoa), Ayerza (Argentina), Castrogiovanni (Italy), Mafi (Tonga) and Goneva (Fiji) are also missing.  I'm sure the national press will remember that when we inevitably struggle in the international window.

Congratulations to Dan, Geoff, Thomas, Toby, Manu, Anthony and most of all Ben and Tom brothers in arms.  Hopefully they will emulate the Underwoods and enjoy many England games together (a few grand slams wouldn't go a miss either!) and create a life time of happy memories for all those family Christmases of the future.

England
Forwards (17)
Mouritz Botha (Saracens)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
James Haskell (London Wasps)
Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby)
Tom Palmer (London Wasps)
Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers)
David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)
Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Backs (15)
Anthony Allen (Leicester Tigers)
Chris Ashton (Saracens)
Brad Barritt (Saracens)
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers)
Alex Goode (Saracens)
Jonathan Joseph (London Irish)
Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby)
Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Goneva named in Fijian tour squad

The Fijian Rugby Union has today named the squad for the Flying Fijians 4 game November tour, including Tigers dynamic new winger Vereniki Goneva.  There are 2 capped internationals against England and Georgia plus a mid-week game against Gloucester.  There is also the non-cap game against Ireland.  In some 1970s throw back Ireland has decided that the Fijians aren't worthy of a test game, even though there is no other Ireland match that weekend.  Standard arrogance from the Irish, yet still a disgrace.  I wonder if the Dublin based IRB would have allowed another team to protect itself from losing ranking points before the December Rugby World Cup draw.

http://www.fijilive.com/sports/rugby/news/2012/09/36-named-in-flying-fijians-nov-tour-squad/29136.Fijilive

TOUR FIXTURES:
11/10 - England
11/13 - Gloucester
11/17 - Ireland A
11/24 - Georgia

FORWARDS:
Campese Ma'afu (Cardiff Blues)
Penijamini Makutu (Nadroga)
Vasi Rarawa (Suva)
Seremaia Naureure (Nadroga)
Tale Tuapati (Southland)
Vili Veikoso (Suva)
Deacon Manu (Llanelli Scarlets)
Manasa Saulo (Suva)
Setefano Somoca (Nadroga)
Tevita Cavubati (Tasman)
Seko Kalou (Nadroga)
Apisai Naikatini (Toyota)
Leone Nakarawa (Tailevu)
Api Ratuniyarawa (North Harbour)
Josefa Domolailai (Pau)
Iliesa Ratuva (Nadroga)
Malakai Ravulo (North Harbour)
Waqabaca Kotobalavu (Lautoka)
Nemani Nagusa (Nadroga)
Netani Talei (Edinburgh)

BACKS:
Kelemedi Bola (Lautoka)
Nemia Kenatale (Southland)
Nikola Matawalu (Glasgow)
Jonetani Ralulu (Nadroga)
Metuisela Talebula (Bordeaux)
Josh Matavesi (Worcester)
Josaia Lotawa (Suva)
Ravai Fatiaki (Worcester)
Vereniki Goneva (Leicester)
Watisoni Votu (Lautoka)
Timoci Matanavou (Toulouse)
Maikeli Mocetadra (Suva)
Aisea Natoga (Nadroga)
Waisea Nayacalevu (Stade Francais)
Samu Wara (Western Force)
Simeli Koniferedi (Nadroga)