Flying Fijians make late change with Drua winger ruled out of PNC Final

TOKYO: Two-time Super Rugby winner Seta Tamanivalu has been brought into the Flying Fijians matchday 23 for the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup Final, with winger Manasa Mataele ruled out just before the match in Tokyo.

Tamanivalu joined the squad in Japan this week, with midfielder Kalaveti Ravouvou ruled out of the decider with an injury. 34-year-old Tamanivalu, who used to play for the All Blacks, is now set to represent Fiji for the first time since the 2025 PNC.

Mataele had initially been named to start on a wing, but the Drua winger has been replaced in the run-on side by debutant Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. Tamanivalu will wear the No. 23 jersey, with Isikeli Rabitu rounding out the impact players in shirt No. 23.

The rest of the Flying Fijians side remains unchanged, with 14 of the 15 starters having played for the Fijian Drua at some stage. Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is the only one who hasn’t in the First XV, while Vilikesa Nairau is another on the bench.

Tevita Ikanivere has captained the Flying Fijians to back-to-back PNC titles, and the skipper will look to do that again in the 2026 edition. Fiji defeated Japan in the last two finals, including a clash in Utah last year.

Peni Ravai starts at loosehead prop, set to pack down in the front row with Ikanivere and tighthead prop Mesake Doge. Mesake Vocevoce and emo Mayanavanua are the two locks, and the backrow consists of an All-Star-level trio.

Kitione Salawa scored after just 21 seconds in the semi-final win over Canada last weekend, while openside Motikiai Murray was rewarded with Player of the Match honours. No. 8 Elia Canakaivata is widely considered an all-time Drua great, although now plays overseas.

Frank Lomani and Caleb Muntz make up the halves, with Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula shifting to the familiar role of fullback. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Virimi Vakatawa are the centres, with Joji Nasova on one win and Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens on the other.

“The goal is clear for us, we’re here to win,” Ikanivere told reporters after the training session in Tokyo.

“We’ve prepared, we’ve done everything we could’ve done throughout this week to prepare well.”

Fiji’s interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula added: “The game is very important for us… we are, like the Japanese team, we want to win and also push the players that we have – they want to showcase their talents so that they can be considered for the upcoming Nations [Championship] in November.”

Two-time Super Rugby winner Seta Tamanivalu has been brought into the Flying Fijians matchday 23 for the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup Final, with winger Manasa Mataele ruled out just before the match in Tokyo.

Tamanivalu joined the squad in Japan this week, with midfielder Kalaveti Ravouvou ruled out of the decider with an injury. 34-year-old Tamanivalu, who used to play for the All Blacks, is now set to represent Fiji for the first time since the 2025 PNC.

Mataele had initially been named to start on a wing, but the Drua has been replaced in the run-on side by debutant Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. Tamanivalu will wear the No. 23 jersey, with Isikeli Rabitu rounding out the impact players in shirt No. 23.

The rest of the Flying Fijians side remains unchanged, with 14 of the 15 starts having played for the Fijian Drua at some stage. Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is the only one that hasn’t in the First XV, while Vilikesa Nairau is another on the bench.

Tevita Ikanivere has captained the Flying Fijians to back-to-back PNC titles, and the skipper will look took to do that again in the 2026 edition. Fiji defeated Japan in the last two finals, including a clash in Utah last year.

Peni Ravai starts at loosehead prop, set to pack down in the front row with Ikanivere and tighthead prop Mesake Doge. Mesake Vocevoce and emo Mayanavanua are the two locks, and the backrow consists of an All-Star-level trio.

Kitione Salawa scored after just 21 seconds in the semi-final win over Canada last weekend, while openside Motikiai Murray was rewarded with Player of the Match honours. No. 8 Elia Canakaivata is widely considered an all-time Drua great, although now plays overseas.

Frank Lomani and Caleb Muntz make up the halves, with Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula shifting to the familiar role of fullback. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Virimi Vakatawa are the centres, with Joji Nasova on one win and Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens on the other.

“The goal is clear for us, we’re here to win,” Ikanivere told reporters after the training session in Tokyo.

“We’ve prepared, we’ve done everything we could’ve done throughout this week to prepare well.”

Fiji’s interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula added: “The game is very important for us… we are, like the Japanese team, we want to win and also push the players that we have – they want to showcase their talents so that they can be considered for the upcoming Nations [Championship] in November.”