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Fiji include 3 uncapped players in their XV to take on Georgia
A healthy-again Fiji are finally all set to make their belated first appearance in the Autumn Nations Cup, coach Vern Cotter naming his side to face Georgia in the seventh-place playoff this Saturday at Murrayfield versus Georgia.
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Cotter had previously named an XV to face France in the opening round on November 15 before that game planned for Vannes was cancelled due to an outbreak of Covid-19 in their ranks which subsequently led to the cancellation of other group games versus Italy and Scotland.
Now, though, Fiji have received a clean bill of health and Cotter has named an Autumn Nations Cup side containing two changes from the XV initially chosen to face the French, skipper Semi Radradra for coming in for Waisea Nayacalevu at midfield and Temo Mayanavanu replacing Kitione Kamikamica in the pack.
Thrilled to finally be cleared to play a game at the tournament, Cotter told the Fiji Rugby Union website: “What we have lived through is difficult and in this kind of situations people grow and become better individuals and they have time to think and reflect. We have been able to do that as individuals and also as a team.
“We are stronger, we missed ten days but when we look at each other now, you can see the message passing in everybody’s eyes that we have been through something difficult and the health of our players was paramount from the start. We need to recognise that this isn’t been easy for the players and if they get out on the field to play this weekend, it’s an achievement just on itself.
“The food and everything else comes to you. You have got to clean your room as well so they bring a bag full of new bedsheets. You’re on your own really. It’s an experience”
– @nemani_nadolo issues update to @TheRugbyPod from France #AutumnNationsCuphttps://t.co/LTfUHK9Swt
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 24, 2020
“To be fair it [the cancellations] hasn’t bothered the players. The players are focused on playing for the Flying Fijians and putting on the white jersey that they are incredibly proud off together with representing their country. It’s an exciting blend of experience and young players who want to establish themselves as Flying Fijians.”
Nine players will earn their first cap for the Flying Fijians. Uncapped flankers Johnny Dyer and Mesulame Kunavula, together with lock Temo Mayanavanua, have been named in the starting line-up while Tevita Ikanivere, Haereiti Hatet, Samuela Tawake, Chris Minimbi, Manueli Ratuniyarawa and Simione Kuruvoli are included on the bench.
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The halves combination of Frank Lomani and Ben Volavola is retained, while Nemani Nadolo is on the left-wing and will assist Volavola with the kicking. Josua Tuisova will be on the right wing while Radradra and Levani Botia will control the midfield and full-back Kini Murimurivalu will guide the team from the back. Cotter added: “We have a very established backline who have played together for many tests and I expect them to be lethal if given quality possession.
“We know Georgia is tough and they have been playing plus improving because they are part of good competition. They played well against Ireland recently so the battle will start up front. The forwards are the first group that I’m really concerned about because we know they will be going to drive our lineouts and dominate our scrum and attack when we have the ball so we can’t get the ball out to our exciting backline.
“We are aware of that and the first challenge is to be very attentive and work hard to become effective and then of course once we do that, we need to find space and we need to have Semi Radradra, Nemani Nadolo and Josua Tuisova with the ball in hand and a little bit of room. If we can do that than our game will be the game we want.”
FIJI (vs Georgia, Saturday)
1. Peni Ravai
2. Samuel Matavesi
3. Mesake Doge
4. Tevita Ratuva
5. Temo Mayanavanu
6. Johnny Dyer
7. Mesulame Kunavula
8. Albert Tuisue
9. Frank Lomani
10. Ben Volavola
11. Nemani Nadolo
12. Levani Botia
13. Semi Radradra
14. Josua Tuisova
15. Kini Murimurivalu
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Reserves
16. Tevita Ikanivere
17. Haereiti Hetet
18. Samuela Tawake
19. Chris Minimbi
20. Manueli Ratuniyarawa
21. Simione Kuruvoli
22. Seru Vularika
23. Waisea Nayacalevu
Episode 9 – Game Changers
We discuss the tense Wales vs England match from the weekend. Jamie reveals just how ruthless Shaun Edwards is! We speak to Mike Umaga on his son Jacob Umaga, and @OceansApartFilm !
iTunes – https://t.co/gfWdk5Vi8h
Spotify – https://t.co/JgbHP6KDdl pic.twitter.com/LF3nsAzp3c— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 2, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
“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.
22 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
3 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.
2 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 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)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments