The idea of scheduling a Wallabies Possibles vs Probables match up has been thrown around in recent months, including a proposal to split the 2 teams into Pasifika and non-Pasifika players. Given the rising percentage of Pacific Island players in the Wallabies system, a Nesian Green vs Aussie Gold game maybe worth poking sticks at.
Nesian Green is our suggested Australian Pacific Island representative team consisting of players eligible for the Wallabies and are of Pacific Island decent. This gives players like Taniela Tupou the opportunity to specifically represent and celebrate his Tongan heritage whilst still under the Wallabies banner.
If by the grace of Chris 'Buddah' Handy this comes to fruition, here's what a possible team list would look like for a Nesian Green verses Aussie Gold match up:
1. ALLAN ALAALATOA // SAMOA
2. FOLAU FAINGA’A // TONGA
3. TANIELA TUPOU // TONGA
4. LUKHAN SALAKAIA-LOTO // SAMOA
5. TREVOR HOSEA // COOK ISLAND
6. ROB VALETINI // FIJI
7. PETE SAMU // SAMOA
8. ISI NAISARANI // FIJI
9. ISSAK FINES-LELEIWASA // FIJI
10. MATT TO’OMUA // SAMOA
11. FILIPO DAUGUNU // FIJI
12. IRAE SIMONE // SAMOA | NIUE
13. HUNTER PAISAMI // SAMOA
14. MARIKA KOROIBETE // FIJI
15. JORDAN PETAIA // SAMOA
One of the downsides to using this format as a potential Wallabies trial match against an Aussie Gold (non-Pasifika player) squad, is that some players may miss out on trialling simply because they aren't of Pacific Island decent.
Perhaps a City vs Country game is more suited to fuel the rivalry between the yuppies from the big city smoke and the country boy battlers sent away to boarding school.
Though a City vs Country format maybe better suited to fulfil the purpose of a Wallabies trial, could an Australian Pacific Island representative team be feasible and beneficial to the Australian game?
Whatever the format, any idea to bring more rugby to stimulate the masses is exciting.
"WE DO RUGBY" - PILLAR TO POST