Fiji bring back big guns with 11 changes for Japan clash
Fiji head coach John McKee has secured a wealth of experience in his match day squad for the opening round of the Pacific Nations Cup against Japan in Kamaishi this Saturday.
11 changes have been made to the side that suffered a 26-17 defeat at the hands of the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua last week, with blindside flanker Dominiko Waqaniburotu, centre Waisea Nayacalevu and wings Filipo Nakosi and Patrick Osborne the only players to retain their place in the starting lineup.
“We’re getting further down our journey towards Rugby World Cup and have a stronger understanding of our game plans and our systems,” McKee commented.
“I’m thrilled to have been able to name such a strong squad for the match against Japan,” he added.
Olympic gold medal-winning lock Leone Nakarawa headlines a brand new tight five, which also features the locally-based Eroni Mawi at loosehead prop.
“Mawi deserves selection,” McKee said. “He’s an up and coming player that has been drafted for a number of test matches as a reserve and this is his opportunity to show what he has in the starting team this Saturday.”
Joining Mawi and Nakarawa in the new-look tight five are Toulouse hooker Sam Matavesi, tighthead prop Manasa Saulo, and London Irish second rower Albert Tuisue.
In the loose forwards, Fijian Drua openside flanker Mosese Voka is replaced by former sevens sensation Semi Kunatani, while star Edinburgh No. 8 Viliame Mata takes the place of Nemani Nagusa.
New Melbourne Rebels signing Frank Lomani pairs up with Racing 92 pivot Ben Volavola in the halves, demoting last week’s halfback Henry Senioli to the bench and forcing Alivereti Veitokani to fullback in place of Kini Murimurivalu.
Clermont midfielder Levani Botia is the only other change to the starting side, pairing up with Nayacalevu.
On the bench, Fijian Drua rake Mesulame Dolokoto, Bordeaux speedster Peni Ravai and Jersey Reds prop Lee-Roy Afatilo combine to form a fresh front row reserves trio.
Apisalome Ratuniyarawa will cover at lock, as will Peceli Yato in the loose forwards, while Seniola, Jale Vatubua and Josh Matavesi will provide back-up for the backline.
It’s a strong squad as Fiji look to begin a fifth successful Pacific Nations Cup campaign with a win against the Brave Blossoms, and McKee said physical dominance was integral for that.
“We did that against the Maori All Blacks in Suva. It is important that we repeat that type of dominance against Japan,” he said.
“They will play a very up tempo and a very fast game so we need to work very hard in our defensive system and effort to deny Japan opportunities to score.”
The result of this weekend’s match could bolster Fiji’s standing in the world rankings, as victory of 15 points or more will see them overtake France in eighth place.
Two more Pacific Nations Cup matches in consecutive weeks against Canada and Samoa will follow after this clash, before Fiji’s final pre-World Cup encounter against Tonga at Eden Park in Auckland as part of the Pasifika Challenge II on August 31.
Fiji open their World Cup campaign against Australia in Sapporo on September 21.
Fiji team to play Japan:
1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Sam Matavesi, 3. Manasa Saulo, 4. Albert Tuisue, 5. Leone Nakarawa, 6. Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 7. Semi Kunatani, 8. Viliame Mata, 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Ben Volavola, 11. Patrick Osbourne, 12. Levani Botia, 13. Waisea Nayacalevu, 14. Filipo Nakosi, 15. Alivereti Veitokani.
Reserves
16. Mesulame Dolokoto, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Lee-Roy Atalifo, 19. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 20. Peceli Yato, 21. Henry Seniloli, 22. Jale Vatubua, 23. Josh Matavesi.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
This sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
12 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
77 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
12 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
12 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
12 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
12 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
12 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
2 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to comments