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Ex-All Blacks midfielder Seta Tamanivalu named to make Fiji debut against Tonga
Former All Blacks midfielder Seta Tamanivalu will make his return to test rugby this weekend when Fiji host Tonga in the opening round of the Pacific Nations Cup.
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Five years after he made the last of his five appearances for the All Blacks, Tamanivalu has been named on Fiji’s bench for their tournament-opener against the ‘Ikale Tahi in Suva on Saturday.
One of five debutants named by Flying Fijians boss Vern Cotter, the 30-year-old’s switch of international allegiance comes in the wake of World Rugby’s change of eligibility laws, which came into effect earlier this year.
Those new rules allow test-capped players to represent a second nation that they are eligible for if they, their parents or their grandparents were born there, but only after a three-year stand down period from test rugby.
The last of Tamanivalu’s three All Blacks tests came in a Bledisloe Cup clash against the Wallabies in Wellington six years ago, while he made two further non-capped appearances for New Zealand against the Barbarians and a French XV the following year.
As such, the Toshiba Brave Lupus powerhouse qualifies for Fiji – the nation of his birth – under World Rugby’s new eligibility rules, and is primed to make his second test debut at ANZ National Stadium.
Tamanivalu joins wing Vinaya Habosi, second-five Kalaveti Ravouvou, openside flanker Rusiate Nasove and lock Isoa Nasilasila – all of whom are Fijian Drua teammates – in making their first appearances for Fiji.
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Unlike Tamanivalu, though, the uncapped Drua quartet have all been named to start for the national team, with the selections of Habosi and Ravovou after the pair produced particularly impressive performances in Super Rugby Pacific.
Habosi, who forms an outside back contingent that also features Toulon wing Jiuta Wainiqolo and Brive fullback Seta Tuicuvu, beat the third-most defenders (56) and ran the fifth-most metres (1,174) as he electric pace was on full show for the Drua.
Ravouvou, meanwhile, partners will captain and Toulon star Waisea Nayacalevu in the midfield following a Super Rugby Pacific season in which he came fifth for defenders beaten (51) and sixth for metres carried (1,162).
Both players are joined in the backline by Drua teammates and halves partners Frank Lomani and Teti Tela, who line up at halfback and first-five, respectively.
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Up front, Nasove is joined by Edinburgh blindside flanker Mesu Kunavula and Gloucester No 8 Albert Tuisue in the loose forwards, while Nasilasila pairs up with Brive lock Tevita Ratuva in the second row.
Elsewhere, it’s an all-Drua affair in the front row, where props Haereiti Hatet and Manasa Saulo will sandwich hooker Tevita Ikanavere.
In the reserves, Tamanivalu will be joined by hooker Sam Matavesi, props Eroni Mawi and Luke Tagi, experienced lock Api Ratuniyarawa, loose forward Kitione Kamikamica, Drua halfback Peni Matawalu and wing Manasa Mataele.
Standing in Fiji’s way is a Tonga side that has also utilised World Rugby’s new eligibility laws, naming former Wallabies star Israel Folau and ex-All Blacks duo Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau in their starting lineup for Saturday’s match.
Kick-off for the blockbuster Pacific Nations Cup clash is scheduled for 3:30pm local time.
Fiji team to play Tonga:
1. Haereiti Hetet
2. Tevita Ikanivere
3. Manasa Saulo
4. Isoa Nasilasila*
5. Tevita Ratuva
6. Mesualme Kunavula
7. Rusiate Nasove*
8. Albert Tuisue
9. Frank Lomani
10. Teti Tela
11. Vinaya Habosi*
12. Kalaveti Ravouvou*
13. Waisea Nayacalevu (c)
14. Jiuta Wainiqolo
15. Setareki Tuicuvu
Reserves
16. Sam Matavesi
17. Eroni Mawi
18. Luke Tagi
19. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
20. Kitione Kamikamica
21. Peni Matawalu
22. Setareki Tamanivalu*
23. Manasa Mataele
* – denotes new cap
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments