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Flying Fijians Head Coach Vern Cotter may be 11,000 miles away but he has made it clear to his players that they are just as powerful as Georgia heading into their test match in Madrid this weekend to end the Autumn tour.
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Cotter has been kept in New Zealand by the pandemic travel restrictions but has been on constant contact with acting head coach Gareth Baber ahead of the win over Spain and loss to Wales last weekend. Now, Fiji have to front up against the powerful Georgian pack and said: “We need to keep in mind we are capable of beating them one on one and keep scoring tries.
“We just need to keep bringing these aspects of the game but also bring discipline and become more accurate. The strategy has been decided and the players should follow it. Let’s be accurate on our line-outs, line outcalls, not put pressure on ourselves by making errors or giving referees the opportunity to penalize us and let’s enjoy the game and not make the game difficult for us.”
Fiji had one player sent off and collect two yellow cards against Wales and Baber has made three changes to the team for the Georgia match. Loose Head Prop Eroni Mawi gets his second start alongside hooker Sam Matavesi and Mesake Doge at Tight Head Prop. Leone Nakarawa comes back into the starting line-up and will partner with Api Ratuniyarawa at lock while in the back row Albert Tuisue and Mesulame Kunavula continue with Viliame Mata at number eight.
In the backs, Aminiasi Tuimaba comes at left-wing, Josua Tuisuva will be on the right and Setareki Tuicuvu will make his third consecutive start at fullback. Three new players have been added to the bench for the match. Australia-based halfback Moses Sorovi and France-based duo Luke Tagi and Eneriko Buliruarua have been added to the game-day squad after missing the last two test matches.
Baber said: “We will be playing our third and final game so it’s about energy and experience as we prepare to go against a good and physical Georgian pack. Some of the decisions prior to selecting the final team has been based around what’s going to contribute to being able to put a winning and excellent performance by the players starting or those coming off the bench.
“The team has been well led by Waisea Nayacalevu. Vilimoni Botitu in the centre has been outstanding with the quality he brings into the game plus Josua Tuisova and Setareki Tuicuvu have given their best performance so far.”
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FLYING FIJIANS VS GEORGIA
Eroni Mawi
Sam Matavesi
Mesake Doge
Api Ratuniyarawa
Leone Nakarawa
Albert Tuisue
Mesulame Kunavula
Viliame Mata
Frank Lomani
Ben Volavola
Aminiasi Tuimaba
Vilimoni Boititu
Waisea Nayacalevu
Josua Tuisova
Setareki Tuicuvu
REPLACEMENTS:
Zuriel Togiatama
Peni Ravai
Luke Tagi
Tevita Ratuva
Masivesi Dakuwaqa
Moses Sorovi
Nikola Matawalu
Eneriko Buliruarua
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
4 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
4 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments