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Fiji name explosive side for final World Cup pool match against Wales
Fiji head coach John McKee has made just one change to his side that ran out 45-10 victors over Georgia last week for their upcoming clash against Wales.
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The match acts as Fiji’s final pool match for the tournament, and although their hopes of making a second-ever quarter-final appearance have been nullified after losses to Australia and Uruguay, they could make life troublesome for the Welsh as they eye top spot in Pool D.
Warren Gatland’s side need two wins from their final two group matches over the coming week to secure their place at the summit of the pool ahead of the Wallabies.
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However, with the talent evident in McKee’s side for Wednesday’s encounter, the reigning Six Nations champions will need to have their wits about them if they’re to avoid a repeat of their catastrophic 38-34 pool stage loss to Fiji at the 2007 World Cup, which cost them a place in the last eight.
The only alteration to the Flying Fijians’ starting side comes at No. 8, with Olympic gold medal-winner Viliame Mata replacing star loose forward Peceli Yato, who drops to the bench.
That means the likes of Josua Tuisova, Semi Radradra, Dominiko Waqaniburotu and Waisea Nayacalevu have all been retained following their standout showings against Georgia, which should complicate proceedings for Wales.
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Waqaniburotu, in particular, was one to have caught the eye of McKee, with the skipper named to start his fourth pool match of the tournament.
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“Dominiko is certainly a player who leads from the front and is highly respected among the group,” McKee said.
“I know that for our players, when Dominiko is out there, he gives them a real lift because he is such a high work-rate player. He often doesn’t get the same accolades as some of our other players, who get involved in the more dynamic parts of the game.
“He was certainly one of our best against Georgia, just with his work-rate, on his ball carries and his cleanout work around the breakdown, which is going to be essential for us in this game.”
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Waqaniburotu’s presence in the back row alongside Mata, who has returned to full fitness after sustaining a calf strain, and Semi Kunatani will be vital if Fiji are to emulate their nation’s success against Wales from 12 years ago.
The battle at the breakdown between both sets of loose forwards is something that McKee is wary of and highlighted that as his side’s biggest threat to attaining a result in Oita in two days’ time.
“We’ve looked at Wales closely and we can see what a strong side they are around the breakdown,” he said.
“One of the closest battles will be around the breakdown. Wales certainly look to attack the ball on the carriers and either try to win turnovers or slow the ball up.
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“That is going to be a critical area for us, firstly to make sure we get good continuity and that secondly we are effective enough to get quick ball.”
In the reserves, a further two changes have been made, with injury call-up Lee-Roy Atalifo coming out of the match day in place of Eroni Mawi, while Mesulame Dolokoto is named as the replacement hooker ahead of Tuvere Vugakoto.
A win for the Fijians would guarantee them third place in Pool D, which would secure the Pacific side automatic qualification for the 2023 World Cup in France ahead of both Georgia and Uruguay.
Even if they lose, third place is still a realistic outcome given the vast unlikelihood of either Georgia or Uruguay accruing competition points their respective opponents – Australia and Wales – in their final pool matches this week.
Kick-off is scheduled for 6:45pm (local time) at Oita Dome on Wednesday.
Fiji side to play Wales:
1. Campese Ma’afu
2. Samuel Matavesi
3. Manasa Saulo
4. Tevita Cavubati
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. Dominiko Waqaniburotu (capt.)
7. Semi Kunatani
8. Viliame Mata
9. Frank Lomani
10. Ben Volavola
11. Semi Radradra
12. Lepani Botia
13. Waisea Nayacalevu
14. Josua Tuisova
15. Kini Murimurivalu
Reserves:
16. Mesulame Dolokoto
17. Eroni Mawi
18. Peni Ravai
19. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
20. Peceli Yato
21. Nikola Matawalu
22. Jale Vatubua
23. Josh Matavesi
A different side to Japanese culture:
Comments on RugbyPass
Not sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
4 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
4 Go to comments