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Radradra named captain as Fiji name team to face Samoa
Fiji Water Flying Fijians coach Simon Raiwalui has handed the captaincy to centre Semi Radradra and named five new caps in his squad to face Samoa who give a debut to ex-All Black Steve Luatua in Apia in the Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday.
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Back rowers Meli Derenalagi and Vilive Miramira , centre Iosefo Masi and full back Ilaisa Droasese will make their debuts in the starting XV while the exciting talent of Joseva Tamani is set for a first cap off the bench. Luatua at No6 and he is in a powerful Samoa back row completed by the equally experienced Jack Lam and Fritz Lee who captains the team.
Ex-Wallaby Christian Leali’afano retains the Samoa No10 shirt after his matching winning kicking performance against Japan while on the bench there are potential first caps for ex-USA front-row forward Titi Lamositele and hooker Sama Malolo.
Radradra is relishing leading his country and said: “It’s an honour and privilege for the coaching staff to have that trust in me to lead the team and I’m really looking forward to playing with the young and experienced players.
“We have a big group so everyone has the chance so it’s now time for them to prove. They are not new to rugby but they just maybe new in playing for Flying Fijians and I think they will do the job. Playing the Pacific Islanders team is always tough but we have really prepared well and we are ready to meet Samoa.
“I have played with Iosefo Masi a few times, especially in the 7s and starting with him this week is not new for me. We have been playing together for a long time and it’s a dream come true for me.”
Fiji have a new front row in Eroni Mawi, Tevita Ikanivere and Luke Tagi while Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta who made his debut from the bench last week in the win over Tonga, partners Isoa Nasilasila at lock.
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FIJI TEAM:
1. Eroni Mawi
2. Tevita Ikanivere
3. Luke Tagi
4. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
5. Isoa Nasilasila
6. Meli Derenalagi *
7. Vilive Miramira *
8. Viliame Mata
9. Simione Kuruvoli
10. Caleb Muntz
11. Kalaveti Ravouvou
12. Semi Radradra {c}
13. Iosefo Masi *
14. Selestino Ravutaumada
15. Ilaisa Droasese*
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Zuriel Togiatama
17. Peni Ravai
18. Samu Tawake
19. Joseva Tamani*
20. Kitione Kamikamica
21. Peni Matawalu
22. Vilimoni Botitu
23. Josua Tuisova
* uncapped players
Comments on RugbyPass
I guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
41 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
2 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
41 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
41 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
2 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
4 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
4 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to comments