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Fiji include 4 uncapped players, confirm temporary coaching revamp
Fiji have unveiled a 28-strong squad of northern hemisphere-based players for next month’s Test matches versus Spain, Wales and Georgia, while also confirming that boss Vern Cotter and his assistants won’t be involved due to travel restrictions. Instead, Gareth Baber, who will soon coach at Edinburgh having stepped down as Fiji 7s boss, will take charge of a revamped coaching set-up that includes ex-Ireland skipper Rory Best and Scottish pair Duncan Hodge and Richie Gray.
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Best will be tasked with coaching the forwards while Hodge and Gray will oversee the backs and ruck/contact area respectively. Fihi CEO John O’Connor explained: “We could have made arrangements for management and players to travel to for the northern tour but we were not able to guarantee their return with the unavailability of MIQ spots in Australia and New Zealand.
“We could not take the risk of players and staff being stuck in the northern hemisphere in 2022 and we made the decision not to use anyone from the southern hemisphere for the tour. Since we are not engaging our coaches, management and players from the southern hemisphere, we have had no option but to look at alternative arrangements in the northern hemisphere.
“It was a natural selection with Gereth Baber,” continued the Fiji CEO. “He obviously has five years of experience working with the Fijian 7s team, managing high profile players and putting in a plan for the international competition and achieving positive results. While we understand it will be a challenge for Gareth, we believe he will gel well with the Fijian players as they prepare for the three Tests.
“We are thankful that Gareth took on the challenge. His involvement as the head coach will be the final curtain of his five-year involvement with Fiji rugby prior to moving to his new appointment.”
Baber has walked away from Fiji
– reports @chrisjonespress ????https://t.co/qM6Qr8B2Cr
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 15, 2021
Baber has been given the responsibility to lead the Fiji pack as head coach, ex-Scottish and current Edinburgh attack coach Duncan Hodge will be in charge of the backs, skills coach of the Seattle Seawolves and former Irish hooker Rory Best will look after the forwards, and former Springboks and Scotland coach Richie Gray, who was with Flying Fijians during the Autumn Nations Cup last year, will oversee the ruck and contact area.
The team, meanwhile, consists of experienced players who have been playing competitive rugby in the French Top 14, PRO D2, England’s Premiership and the United Rugby Championship in Wales. However, there is no place for Nemani Nadolo, the winger who has been lighting up the Premiership in recent weeks with Leicester.
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High-performance general manager Simon Raiwalui explained: “It’s a smaller squad than normal. “Normally we would travel with 32 players but due to shortage in positions, we have got a group of 28 players who will have cover in majority of the areas. There are a couple of areas where will have a shortage of players such as loosehead, hooker and half-back. We don’t have depth in these positions in the northern hemisphere.
“We have got three new players coming in from the Fijian 7s environment and the Olympic Gold medalists who have gone up north, Vilimoni Botitu, Aminiasi Tuimaba and Jiuta Wainiqolo. It’s a strong and exciting squad and we are looking forward to the challenge.”
The squad assembles on October 31 to start preparations to face Spain on November 6 in Madrid. They then face Wales on November 14 before wrapping up the tour versus Georgia at a venue and time that is yet to be confirmed.
FIJI SQUAD
Loosehead: Peni Ravai, Eroni Mawi
Hooker: Samuel Matavesi, Peniami Narisia
Tighthead: Luke Tagi, Mesake Doge, Leeroy Atalifo
Lock: Tevita Ratuva, Temo Mayanavanua, Albert Tuisue, Leone Nakarawa
Back row/lock: Peceli Yato, Johnny Dyer
Back row: Masivesi Dakuwaqa (uncapped), Mesulame Kunavula, Bill Mata
Scrum-half: Frank Lomani, Nikola Matawalu
Fly-half: Ben Volavola
Centre/Fly-half: Vilimoni Botitu (uncapped)
Centre: Levani Botia, Eneriko Buliruarua
Centre/Wing: Waisea Nayacalevu, Josua Tuisova
Wing: Eroni Sau, Aminiasi Tuimaba (uncapped), Jiuta Wainiqolo (uncapped)
Wing/Full-back: Seta Tuicuvu
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MANAGEMENT:
Gareth Baber – head coach
Duncan Hodge – assistant coach
Rory Best – assistant coach
Richie Gray – assistant coach
Having opted out of the 2019 tournament in Japan, the giant @LeicesterTigers wing aims to make #RWC2023 in one of the most competitive team positions on the planet.
The @fijirugby wing. @nemani_nadolo talks to @chrisjonespress ???https://t.co/mFfYUOXANB
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 11, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments