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Fiji lose breakdown menace, captain for All Blacks rematch
Head coach Vern Cotter has made four changes to Fiji’s starting lineup for their rematch with New Zealand this weekend.
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After staying in touch with the All Blacks for the better part of last Saturday’s match, the home side scored four tries in the final quarter to balloon the score out, ultimately winning 57-23.
Still, the result marked Fiji’s best-ever performance against NZ, setting records for most points scored, fewest points conceded and smallest losing margin.
As such, Fiji will enter Saturday’s game confident that they can continue to threaten the All Blacks – but they’ll have to do it without their talismanic skipper.
Midfielder Levani Botia – equally adept at disrupting breakdowns as he is with ball in hand – has been ruled out of Saturday’s clash in Hamilton and has been replaced by speedster Eneriko Buliruarua.
Experienced second-rower Leone Nakarawa will take over the captain’s armband this weekend in Botia’s stead.
“Earlier in the week we knew we had a doubt with Levani and we spoke to Leone,” Cotter said after naming his side.
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“He has already been looking after the lineouts and now he takes on a wider leadership role, but he does that naturally with his excellent leadership skills.”
In more positive news, halfback Frank Lomani is able to take his place in the No 9 jersey after missing the first test due to disruptions to his travel from Australia.
Elsewhere, Peceli Yato comes into the starting lineup in place of Albert Tuisue at number 8, who wasn’t able to train at the start of the week due to a minor injury, while wing Setareki Tuicuvu takes over from Eroni Sau on the wing.
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There are also a handful of changes to the reserves with Mesulame Dolokoto and Eroni Mawi joining as front-row substitutes, Kitione Kamikamica set to cover the loose forwards, and Queensland Reds half-back Moses Sorovi and utility back Teti Tela lining up to make their test debuts.
“I felt that strong sign of strength and unity from our boys, they competed well at the breakdown and they were well structured with their set-piece, but in the last 20 minutes we just run out of steam,” Cotter said of the first test.
“[There were] some really positive signs, as we slowed the All Blacks down and they expected to play undercover, and [we] did a really good job at going in and disrupting and stealing ball and that was important in stopping the All Blacks flow.
“They will counter our ruck play so we’ll be expecting them to be more physical at these areas, and we’re physically prepared for that. We’re looking at ways where we can surprise them.”
All in all, Cotter is confident that Fiji can put out an improved showing – especially given the team’s now had one extra week in camp together, after spending their first two weeks in New Zealand in quarantine.
“There are some very positive things from the last game that we’re happy with and things that we need to work on to became more competitive for our next game this weekend,” he said.
“We’re happy with the effort but there are certain parts that weren’t quite polished well, which is understandable because we’re haven’t played together and it was our first test match for this year.”
Saturday’s match kicks off at 7:05pm on Saturday evening from Hamilton.
Fiji: Kini Murimurivalu, Setareki Tuicuvu, Waisea Nayacalevu, Eneriko Buliruarua, Nemani Nadolo, Ben Volavola, Frank Lomani; Peceli Yato, Mesulame Kunavula, Johnny Dyer, Leone Nakarawa (c), Temo Mayanavanua, Mesaki Doge, Sam Matavesi, Peni Ravai. Reserves: Mesulame Dolokoto, Eroni Mawi, Leeroy Atalifo, Albert Tuisue, Kitione Kamikamica, Moses Sorovi, Teti Tela, Manasa Mataele.
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