Tonga v cook islands at riverside

Johnnyweetabix

Johnnyweetabix

Well-known member
Is anyone going ? It’s my old man’s birthday and was thinking of buying tickets but not being a big rugby fan have no idea if it’s worth it or if it will be an empty stadium etc. Any thoughts ?
 
I know a few people going. I think it will be an occasion and a decent contest. There is Pacific rivalry here - Cook Islands fancy they could provide a shock. A North Korea 1966 type shock as Tonga are second or third favourites to lift the trophy on current form. But don't be fooled into thinking a group of islands with only 15 000 population in Cook Islands will be a walk over - they are all 2nd and 3rd generation playing at the highest level in Australia. As I say they fancy their chances of recording a shock or two and aspire to get out of the group. That is the target.
 
Should be good, not sure how old your dad is but there's no OAP tickets which seems strange
 
We have tickets - seeing adverts saying tickets ‘selling out’ but probably just marketing ploy.
 
Bought tickets for both the England and Scotland games when they first went on sale and spent last weekend in Newcastle, really enjoyed it.
Decided to get tickets for the Tonga game although doubt there will be many there. we struggle with walk up prices for Boro games so I don’t think it will too popular for what’s really a minority sport in this area.
 
Our best mate, a Canadian, along with his wife visited the Cook Islands a couple of years back.
They really enjoyed the people there and had a wonderful time, so much so that they were even planning a trip to North Yorkshire to visit the roots of the great explorer.
But sadly and suddenly at age 64, he passed away earlier this year so the trip didn’t materialize. I‘d love to attend this game in his honour.
 
fmttmadmin said:
But don't be fooled into thinking a group of islands with only 15 000 population in Cook Islands will be a walk over - they are all 2nd and 3rd generation playing at the highest level in Australia
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As indeed are Tonga, Fiji, Greece, Lebanon, Samoa, Italy, and PNG - no problem with that personally for a small game trying to grow. I believe the qualification rules were relaxed to allow this 2nd / 3rd generation representation and the game is all the better for it
 
Quite a few Tonga fans at their game tonight so hopefully they will be at the riverside to boost the atmosphere.
 
I hope it does well but at almost £50 for myself and my 8 year old for a game between two unfancied teams, I am giving it a miss. I can’t see anything more than a gate of between 5k-8k and an empty stadium to be honest.
 
I'd recommend anybody to go and have a look at this game, it will be epic. And Tonga are not an unfancied team and for me are probably THE Dark Horses who can upset anybody on their day. There will be HUGE hits, plenty of great rugby league and some of the most passionate fans you've ever seen.
 
Bought tickets the other day, our lass is from the other side of The Pennines and has persuaded me… £25 each, cheaper than walk ups for the proper game with the round ball 😁
 
Had tickets for a couple of years and really looking forward to it, the Tonga game yesterday v PNG was great. Highly doubt it being more than half full but the atmosphere should be good anyway! As someone previously mentioned, Newcastle was full of Yorkshire folk Saturday so hopefully we have some fans from those parts as well as closer to home.

Think it's good to watch live sport other than football, go for it mate.
 
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