#Kalamafoni

[petnews2day]

Today's rugby news as top Welsh rugby signing leaves for France and Ireland star's dad hit by truck

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/MVPs2

Today's rugby news as top Welsh rugby signing leaves for France and Ireland star's dad hit by truck

Here’s your round-up of all the latest rugby news for Saturday, February 11. Kalamafoni to leave Scarlets Scarlets have confirmed Tonga number eight Sione Kalamafoni will leave the club at the end of the season. In a statement released on Friday evening, the Welsh side revealed the 34-year-old will depart “to pursue an opportunity in […]

See full article at https://petn.ws/MVPs2 #OtherNews

[delinquenzanews]

I Leoni a Monigo battono gli Scarlets per 34-23

I Leoni a Monigo battono gli Scarlets per 34-23

Marcature: 5′ p. Albornoz, 29′ meta Albornoz tr. Albornoz, 34′ p. Halfpenny, 36′ p. Albornoz, 39′ p. Halfpenny; 42′ p. Albornoz, 51′ p. Halfpenny, 54′ p. Albornoz, 57′ meta Padovani tr. Smith, 63′ meta Kalamafoni tr. Patchell, 69′ meta Williams tr. Patchell, 74′ p. Smith, 77′ meta Menoncello.Note: Cartellino giallo a Conbeer (SCA) al 58′. Trasformazioni: Benetton Rugby 2/3 (Albornoz 1/1, Smith…

[giantsorcowboys]

Money Shots

There Are So Many Great Shots In Rugby, Such As Matt Banahan Tackling Sione Kalamafoni.

Woof, Baby!

[coco-manus-blog]

Leicester Tigers lose Tonga quartet Veainu, Kalamafoni,... - https://wp.me/p8JR1U-86P - #Football, #Kalamafoni, #Leicester, #Lose, #Quartet, #Tigers, #Tonga, #Veainu

[farwiayas3-blog]

Sione Kalamafoni, Dominic Ryan, Joe Ford and Jonah Holm... - https://goo.gl/SGZGRs - #Dominic, #Football, #Ford, #Holm, #Joe, #Jonah, #Kalamafoni, #Ryan, #Sione

[freenewstoday]

New Post has been published on https://freenews.today/2020/12/26/ospreys-14-16-scarlets/

Ospreys 14-16 Scarlets

Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias takes on Ospreys defence

Ospreys (8) 14 Try: Morgan-Williams Pens: Myler 3 Scarlets (3) 16 Try: O’Brien Cons D Jones Pen: D Jones 3

A late Angus O’Brien try ensured Scarlets claimed the west Wales derby spoils in Llanelli.

A brilliant individual first-half try from Ospreys scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams and three Stephen Myler penalties gave Toby Booth’s side the advantage.

But after Dan Jones’ boot kept Scarlets in range, O’Brien burst over after inspirational build-up play from Blade Thomson.

Jones’ easy conversion sealed the win.

The match had been switched from Liberty Stadium to Parc y Scarlets with football club Swansea City replacing their playing surface.

It remained an Ospreys ‘home’ game and seeing their flag draped across the Parc y Scarlets stand blanking out “West is Best” signs was just another quirk of 2020.

Both sides’ selections had been affected by injuries and coronavirus issues.

Ospreys full-back Dan Evans made his 150th appearance for the region against his former side.

Toby Booth’s side were missing injured Wales hooker Sam Parry and centre Owen Watkin but Scott Williams returned.

Morgan Morris started at number eight after an impressive try-scoring replacement appearance against Worcester, with Dan Lydiate switching to flanker.

Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny and number eight Sion Kalamafoni were missing for Scarlets, while Johnny McNicholl was a late withdrawal, replaced by Angus O’Brien. Second-row Jake Ball returned.

One Scarlets player tested positive for Covid-19 this week and is self-isolating. This came after a team-mate tested positive after the victory over Bath.

Scarlets’ game against Toulon was called off less than two hours before kick-off when the French side refused to play after citing coronavirus concerns and Scarlets were awarded a 28-0 victory.

Scarlets started strongly when they stole an Ospreys lineout but good defensive work from Tipuric and Lydiate repelled the danger.

Ospreys’ lineout continued to malfunction early on but it improved to allow Myler to open the scoring with a penalty before an inspirational individual effort from his half-back partner Morgan-Williams.

After a typical Tipuric turnover, Morgan-Williams dummied his way through the defence and outpaced O’Brien to score.

Myler’s attempted conversion was disrupted by the wind which blew the ball off the tee and denied Ospreys the chance of two points, which was the eventual deficit.

Scarlets fly-half Jones reduced the deficit with a penalty before hitting the post with his second attempt.

O’Brien took over the kicking duties with a long-range effort with the final play of the first half but he was unsuccessful as Ospreys led 8-3 at the interval.

Myler was successful with his own long-range effort early in the second half before Scarlets’ intense pressure was rewarded with only three points from Jones despite his side being camped on Ospreys’ line.

Myler’s pinpoint accuracy was again in evidence with his third penalty before Jones slotted over his third successful kick.

Replacement hooker Ifan Phillips burst down the left-hand touchline before his attempted try-scoring pass was intercepted.

As Storm Bella began to draw in, Scarlets’ replacements made a real impact.

None more so than replacement flanker Thomson. The Scotland back-rower made an outstanding contribution as he collected a high ball before providing the try-scoring pass to O’Brien to dart over.

A conversion from man-of-the-match Jones gave Scarlets the lead for the first time in the game after 73 minutes and they held on expertly for victory.

Ospreys: Dan Evans; George North, Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, Scott Williams, Luke Morgan; Stephen Myler, Reuben Morgan-Williams; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, Adam Beard, Rhys Davies, Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric (capt), Morgan Morris.

Replacements: Ifan Phillips, Rhodri Jones, Ma’afu Fia, Lloyd Ashley, Sam Cross, Rhys Webb, Josh Thomas, Keiran Williams.

Scarlets: Angus O’Brien; Tom Rogers, Jonathan Davies, Steff Hughes (capt), Steff Evans; Dan Jones, Kieran Hardy; Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Javan Sebastian, Jake Ball, Morgan Jones, Ed Kennedy, Josh Macleod, Uzair Cassiem.

Replacements: Marc Jones, Phil Price, Pieter Scholtz, Tevita Ratuva, Blade Thomson, Gareth Davies, Sam Costelow, Tyler Morgan.

Referee: Adam Jones (WRU)

Assistant referees: Ben Whitehouse, Aled Evans (both WRU)

TMO: Jon Mason (WRU).

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[tongansailor]

It's 4:30 AM. Congratulations to #tonga #ikaletahi and especially the Captain Siale Piutau on your winning vs #usa + the Man of the match. It was a good battle as USA led 12-7 at Half time. But, Tonga Sea Eagles flew higher & faster than the USA Eagles on 2nd Half to win the game 31-19. A very good entertaining game too. Bravo Siale Piutau on the win on your 34th birthday & your last international game for Tonga with Sione Kalamafoni. Oh what a feeling. Will not sleep at all. GOD BLESS. #happybirthday #kanpai #ofalahiatu #instapic #pictagram #instarugby #rugbytagram #rugbyfans #rwc2019🏆 #ikaletahisupporter #floridian (at Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3jTzjCFy0w/?igshid=17k42nnwglwys

[diarynz]

Live rugby updates: All Blacks v Tonga, 2019 Rugby World Cup warm-up

New Post has been published on https://diary.nz/live-rugby-updates-all-blacks-v-tonga-2019-rugby-world-cup-warm-up/

Live rugby updates: All Blacks v Tonga, 2019 Rugby World Cup warm-up

Follow live updates as the All Blacks play their final game before the Rugby World Cup, against Tonga, in Hamilton.

All you need to know ahead of the All Blacks’ clash against Tonga in Hamilton.

World Cup warm-up

It’s the All Blacks’ final test before heading off to Japan. Coach Steve Hansen said the Tonga match is a chance to play as many players as possible they want to use for the World Cup opener against the Springboks. Tonga, who lost to Fiji at Eden Park last weekend, will also hope to sharpen the knives before the tournament against the reigning world champs.

Match details: Saturday September 7, 2.35pm, FMG Stadium, Hamilton

Referee: Angus Gardner

Squads

All Blacks:

1 Joe Moody 2 Codie Taylor 3 Nepo Laulala 4 Patrick Tuipulotu 5 Samuel Whitelock 6 Ardie Savea 7 Matt Todd 8 Kieran Read (c) 9 TJ Perenara 10 Beauden Barrett 11 George Bridge 12 Ryan Crotty 13 Anton Lienert-Brown 14 Sevu Reece 15 Ben Smith.

Reserves: Liam Coltman, Ofa Tuungafasi, Angus Ta’avao, Scott Barrett, Luke Jacobson, Aaron Smith, Josh Ioane, Jordie Barrett.

Tonga: 15 David Halaifonua 14 Cooper Vuna 13 Mali Hingano 12 Siale Piutau (c) 11 Viliami Lolohea 10 Kurt Morath 9 Tane Takulua 8 Ma’ama Vaipul 7 Fotu Lokotui 6 Sione Kalamafoni 5 Leva Fifita 4 Sam Lousi 3 Siua Halanukonuka 2 Siua Maile 1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi.

Reserves: Sione Anga’aelangi, Vunipola Fifita, Ma’afu Fia, Dan Faleafa, Zane Kapeli, Leon Fukofuka, James Faiva, Afa Pakalani.

Three talking points

Injuries

With several All Black players – Dane Coles, Sam Cane, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Richie Mo’unga – already missing out with various minor niggles, the last thing Hansen and co. will want is more injury worries right before the World Cup. The same goes for Tonga coach Toutai Kefu.

Ben Smith

The veteran utility back gets a start at his preferred fullback role, with Beauden Barrett moving back to No 10 to replace Mo’unga. It’ll be a big opportunity for Smith, who has come under criticism lately from fans and pundits, to impress coaches and solidify a potential starting role at wing for the All Blacks’ first game against the Springboks in Japan – with Mo’unga looking likely to return to first-five by then. Earlier in the week, Hansen revealed, quite surprisingly, that Smith’s form slump has had less to do with his recovery from a hamstring strain and more to a loss of self-belief and confidence.

From 9-5 to the World Cup: The roofer taking on the All Blacks

Uncapped Siua Maile, who was a shock inclusion to Tonga’s Rugby World Cup squad announced earlier this week, will be a fresh faced mystery the All Blacks will have to deal with. In fact, even coach Kefu admits he “still doesn’t know much about him”. The 22-year-old Maile, a full-time roofer who will start at hooker, will make a dream international debut against the All Blacks.

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[sports247xyz]

Sione Kalamafoni: Leicester Tigers forward gets three-game ban

Sione Kalamafoni: Leicester Tigers forward gets three-game ban

Sione Kalamafoni joined Leicester from Gloucester in the summer of 2017

Leicester Tigers number eight Sione Kalamafoni has been given a three-match suspension after accepting a Rugby Football Union charge of striking.

The 30-year-old was sent off in the 56th minute of Friday’s defeat by Sale after hitting Josh Beaumont at a ruck.

Kalamafoni’s early guilty plea, his good character and remorse…

[ultrasfcb-blog]

European Rugby Champions Cup: Racing 92 v Leicester Tigers

European Rugby Champions Cup: Racing 92 v Leicester Tigers

European Rugby Champions Cup: Racing 92 v Leicester Tigers

Matt Toomua and Manu Tuilagi pair up in the centre for Leicester

European Rugby Champions Cup Venue: Paris La Defense Arena Date: Sunday, 9 December Kick-off: 15:15 Coverage: Live score updates on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and on the BBC Sport website

Australia centre Matt Toomua replaces the suspended Kyle Eastmond as Leicester face Racing 92 in the Champions Cup.

Fellow Australia international Tatafu Polota-Nau also returns to the starting line-up and is joined in the pack by Harry Wells and Mike Fitzgerald.

England scrum-half Ben Youngs is on the bench, with Ben White starting,

Former Ireland wing Simon Zebo starts for Racing and is one of seven changes to the French side.

Pool Four Played Won Points Racing 92 2 2 9 Leicester 2 1 5 Ulster 2 1 4 Scarlets 2 0 1

Zebo is joined in the backline by Virimi Vakatawa and Olivier Klemenczak, while Finn Russell returns at fly-half.

Cedate Gomes Sa comes into the front row, with Bernard Le Roux at lock and Wenceslas Lauret at flanker.

Twice European champions, Leicester are seeking their first win in all competitions since they defeated Scarlets in the second round of the Champions Cup.

Tigers lost to Ulster in the opening round and were beaten 41-10 by Bristol in the Premiership last weekend.

Eastmond’s four-week ban came after a dangerous tackle on Bristol’s Ian Madigan in that game.

Kyle Eastmond will miss the next two European games and Premiership games against Harlequins and Bath

“We were obviously very disappointed with the result at Bristol last week and we’ve thoroughly reviewed that, but we also have to look forward and try to put things right that we got wrong there,” Tigers interim head coach Geordan Murphy said.

French side Racing 92 were Champions Cup runners-up last season and are undefeated in this year’s competition, beating Ulster and Scarlets.

“If we hopefully win this game, being three out of three is a very good position, going on to a fixture where Leicester will be struggling,” Zebo said.

“We’ve got good momentum in Europe but Leicester are dangerous, if they click. They haven’t been great so far in the league. They’re a bit of a wounded animal at the moment.”

Racing 92: Dulin; Zebo, Vakatawa, Klemenczak, Imhoff; Russell, Iribaren; Ben Arous, Szarzewski (c), Gomes Sa, Le Roux, Nakarawa, Lauret, Chouzenoux, Claassen

Replacements: Avei, Gogichashvili, Tameifuna, Bird, Palu, Gibert, Dupichot, Volavola

Leicester: Holmes; Thompstone, Tuilagi, Toomua, May; Ford (c), White; Genge, Polota-Nau, Cole, Spencer, Wells, Fitzgerald, O’Connor, Kalamafoni.

Replacements: Kerr, Ma’afu, Cortes, Williams, Evans, Thompson, Youngs, Smith

For the latest rugby union news follow @bbcrugbyunion on Twitter.

BBC Sport – Rugby Union ultras_FC_Barcelona

ultras FC Barcelona - https://ultrasfcb.com/rugby-union/14213/

#Barcelona

[delinquenzanews]

I Leoni cedono 41-17 agli Scarlets a Llanelli

I Leoni cedono 41-17 agli Scarlets a Llanelli

Marcature: 5′ p. Allan, 8′ meta Morgan, 24′ meta Costelow tr. Evans, 27′ meta Morgan tr. Evans, 30′ meta Blacker tr. Jones; 46′ meta Sarto tr. Padovani, 65′ p. Jones, 71′ meta Kalamafoni, 73′ meta Els tr. Padovani, 78′ meta Asquith tr. Jones. Note: 22′ cartellino giallo a Baravalle (BEN), 24′ cartellino giallo a Pasquali (BEN). Trasformazioni: Scarlets 4/6 (Costelow 0/1, Evans 2/2, Jones 2/3);…

[primascriptura]

Sione Kalamafoni shows his class as Leicester march to assured win at Bath

[dirtyballsrugby]

Leicester Tigers lose Tonga quartet Veainu, Kalamafoni, Mapapalangi and Pakalani

Leicester will be without Telusa Veainu and three other Tonga internationals for at least two Premiership matches. from BBC Sport - Rugby Union

[tongansailor]

It's 4:20 AM so so #happy USA led 12-7 at Half time, but #tonga #ikaletahi came firing at 2nd half to win the game 31-19. The captain Siale Piutau also won the Man of the Match on his 34th birthday and also on his last international game for Tonga with Sione Kalamafoni. What a match. Well done guys. Enjoy the celebration, god bless and kanpai. #rwc2019🏆 #rugbyfans #redman #kanpai #instapic #pictagram #instarugby #rugbytagram (at Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3jSe5zlwiU/?igshid=1nq2qpirxoctz

[diarynz]

Rugby: All you need to know ahead of All Blacks v Tonga World Cup warm-up clash

New Post has been published on https://diary.nz/rugby-all-you-need-to-know-ahead-of-all-blacks-v-tonga-world-cup-warm-up-clash/

Rugby: All you need to know ahead of All Blacks v Tonga World Cup warm-up clash

All you need to know ahead of the All Blacks’ clash against Tonga in Hamilton.

World Cup warm-up

It’s the All Blacks’ final test before heading off to Japan. Coach Steve Hansen said the Tonga match is a chance to play as many players as possible they want to use for the World Cup opener against the Springboks. Tonga, who lost to Fiji at Eden Park last weekend, will also hope to sharpen the knives before the tournament against the reigning world champs.

Match details: Saturday September 7, 2.35pm, FMG Stadium, Hamilton

Referee: Angus Gardner

Squads

All Blacks:

1 Joe Moody 2 Codie Taylor 3 Nepo Laulala 4 Patrick Tuipulotu 5 Samuel Whitelock 6 Ardie Savea 7 Matt Todd 8 Kieran Read (c) 9 TJ Perenara 10 Beauden Barrett 11 George Bridge 12 Ryan Crotty 13 Anton Lienert-Brown 14 Sevu Reece 15 Ben Smith

Reserves: Liam Coltman, Ofa Tuungafasi, Angus Ta’avao, Scott Barrett, Luke Jacobson, Aaron Smith, Josh Ioane, Jordie Barrett.

Tonga: 15 David Halaifonua 14 Cooper Vuna 13 Mali Hingano 12 Siale Piutau (c) 11 Viliami Lolohea 10 Kurt Morath 9 Tane Takulua 8 Ma’ama Vaipul 7 Fotu Lokotui 6 Sione Kalamafoni 5 Leva Fifita 4 Sam Lousi 3 Siua Halanukonuka 2 Siua Maile 1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi

Reserves: Sione Anga’aelangi, Vunipola Fifita, Ma’afu Fia, Dan Faleafa, Zane Kapeli, Leon Fukofuka, James Faiva, Afa Pakalani.

The All Blacks perform the haka. Photo / Photosport

Three talking points

Injuries

With several All Black players – Dane Coles, Sam Cane, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Richie Mo’unga – already missing out with various minor niggles, the last thing Hansen and co. will want is more injury worries right before the World Cup. The same goes for Tonga coach Toutai Kefu.

Ben Smith

The veteran utility back gets a start at his preferred fullback role, with Beauden Barrett moving back to No 10 to replace Mo’unga. It’ll be a big opportunity for Smith, who has come under criticism lately from fans and pundits, to impress coaches and solidify a potential starting role at wing for the All Blacks’ first game against the Springboks in Japan – with Mo’unga looking likely to return to first-five by then. Earlier in the week, Hansen revealed, quite surprisingly, that Smith’s form slump has had less to do with his recovery from a hamstring strain and more to a loss of self-belief and confidence.

From 9-5 to the World Cup: The roofer taking on the All Blacks

Uncapped Siua Maile, who was a shock inclusion to Tonga’s Rugby World Cup squad announced earlier this week, will be a fresh faced mystery the All Blacks will have to deal with. In fact, even coach Kefu admits he “still doesn’t know much about him”. The 22-year-old Maile, a full-time roofer who will start at hooker, will make a dream international debut against the All Blacks.

How to watch

The Herald will be live blogging the match from 1.30pm and Radio Sport will have live commentary. Sky coverage starts at 1.30pm on Sky Sport 1.

Head-to-head

Played:

5

Won:

All Blacks 5

Last time:

All Blacks 47, Tonga 9 (Rugby World Cup 2015)

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[diarynz]

Rugby: Tonga's Siua Maile set for 'baptism of fire' in test debut against the All Blacks

New Post has been published on https://diary.nz/rugby-tongas-siua-maile-set-for-baptism-of-fire-in-test-debut-against-the-all-blacks/

Rugby: Tonga's Siua Maile set for 'baptism of fire' in test debut against the All Blacks

A fresh face to the international rugby scene is set to line-up for Tonga against the All Blacks on Saturday – so new that even head coach Toutai Kefu admits he “still doesn’t know much about him”.

Uncapped Siua Maile was a shock inclusion to Tonga’s Rugby World Cup squad announced earlier this week as the side’s third-choice hooker.

It wasn’t likely Maile would play for Tonga during the tournament but with injuries to Paula Ngauamo and Sosefo Sakalia, the 22-year-old Shirley player is now set to make his test debut against the World Champion All Blacks.

Revealing that Maile was still settling from the shock of his call-up, Kefu said it was an exciting opportunity for the young star.

Siua Maile was named in Tonga’s World Cup squad. Photo / Getty

“I think he’s still a bit shocked but he’s taking it on well,” Kefu told media today ahead of the clash in Hamilton. “There’s not much we can do with two hookers out so we need to roll the dice.

“What a baptism of fire, he’s got a massive opportunity, got nothing to lose so he’s looking forward to it.”

Maile, who grew up in Tonga, moved to New Zealand for schooling and now juggles his rugby commitments with full-time work as a roofer in Christchurch.

It’s been a challenging balancing act for the young player but has resulted in a stand-out work ethic both on and off the pitch.

Tonga head coach Toutai Kefu. Photo / Photosport

“He’s a good young kid, he’s keen, he’s eager, I saw him train yesterday and he was in the thick of it,” Kefu said.

“I actually had to tell him to tone it down a little bit, which is great, that’s what you want to do with players. You don’t want to say to players to ‘lift the intensity,’ [so] I think he’s going to do well.”

Shirley Rugby Club have put their full support behind the Maile, who plays alongside his brother Ngase for the club’s premier side.

A quiz night will be held at the club rooms next week to raise funds for the front-rower, who is taking time off work.

Meanwhile Tonga have also recalled some experienced heads to take on the All Blacks with flanker Sione Kalamafoni, first five Kurt Morath and winger Cooper Vuna back in the starting side.

Tonga will meet the All Blacks in Hamilton on Saturday night.

Tonga squad to face All Blacks: Siegfried ‘Fisiihoi, Siua Maile*, Siua ‘Halanukonuka, Sam Lousi, Leva Fifita, Sione Kalamafoni, Fotu ‘Lokotui, Maama ‘Vaipulu, Sonatane Takulua, Kurt Morath, Viliami Lolohea, Siale Piutau, Malietoa Hingano, Cooper Vuna, David Halaifonua. Reserves: Sione Anga’aelangi, Vunipola Fifita, Ma’afu Fia, Dan Faleafa, Zane ‘Kapeli, Leon ‘Fukofuka, James ‘Faiva, Atieli Pakalani.

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