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Seven changes for Fiji whose midfield combo is one not to be missed

By Liam Heagney
(Photo by Loic Venance/AFP via Getty Images)

Fiji have made seven changes to their starting line-up to face England at Twickenham this Saturday. The Pacific Islanders were beaten 17-34 by Rugby World Cup hosts France last weekend in Nantes.

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Simon Raiwalui has now rung the alterations for their final Summer Nations Series match ahead of next month’s finals campaign which begins with their September 10 meeting with Wales in Bordeaux.

Three changes are in the backline with Ilaisa Droasese in for Sireli Maqala at full-back, Selesitino Ravutaumada on the right wing for Jiuta Wainiqolo and skipper Waisea Nayacalevu named at outside centre for Iosefo Masi.

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Fiji status eading into WC

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Fiji status eading into WC

There are four changes to the pack. Sam Matavesi is at hooker for Tevita Ikanivere with Luke Tagi at tighthead for Mesake Doge. Meanwhile, the back row sees Albert Tuisue included for Meli Derenalagi and Lekima Tagitagivalu for Meli Derenalagi.

Raiwalui said: “We have been rotating players and testing combinations, so this is the right time to test these two experienced players [Nayacalevu in a midfield partnership with Semi Radradra] this weekend.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

2
Wins
4
2
Streak
3
11
Tries Scored
20
26
Points Difference
43
1/5
First Try
4/5
1/5
First Points
2/5
0/5
Race To 10 Points
3/5

“They are leaders in the team and also role models to our players and I’m confident that they will form the best combination on the day.

“It’s another big physical battle and they [England] will try and use their pack to the limit. We have been working on ours and they will be very tactical with their kicking. It is going to be a different challenge this weekend.”

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Fiji (vs England, Saturday – 3:15pm):
15. Ilaisa Droasese; 14. Selesitino Ravutaumada, 13. Waisea Nayacalevu (capt), 12. Semi Radradra, 11. Vinaya Habosi; 10. Caleb Muntz, 9. Frank Lomani; 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Sam Matavesi, 3. Luke Tagi, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidveta, 6. Albert Tuisue, 7. Lekima Tagitagivalu, 8. Viliame Mata. Reps: 16. Zuriel Togiatama, 17. Jone Koroiduadua, 18. Samu Tawake, 19. Temo Mayanavanua, 20. Vilive Miramira, 21. Simione Kuruvoli, 22. Teti Tela, 23. Kalaveti Ravouvou.

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Comments

4 Comments
D
David 389 days ago

Fiji has the best chance ever to beat England, with the centre partnership of Radradra and Nayacalevu and a rampaging Habosi on the wing England cannot match. England’s tight 5 are marginally better but Fiji’s Back row are dynamic fast and frightening. The stats show how much further Fiji are ahead in the process although your form guide is slightly wrong as they have only lost one game this year and played 4.

Defeating Japan, Samoa and Tonga losing to France

R
Rohan 390 days ago

Is Botia injured? Other than that I think this could be very tight. Will not be suprised if Fiji take this

B
Ben 390 days ago

If England lose structure or get another card Fiji can take this, they definitely have the stronger backline

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Nickers 59 minutes ago
The changes Scott Robertson must make to address All Blacks’ bench woes

Hopefully Robertson and co aren't applying this type of thinking to their selections, although some of their moves this year have suggested that might be the case.


The first half of Foster's tenure, when he was surrounded by coaches who were not up to the task, was disastrous due to this type of reactionary chopping and changing. No clear plan of the direction of travel or what needs to be built to get there. Just constant tinkering. A player gets dropped one week, on the bench the next, back to starting the next, dropped for the next week again. Add in injuries and other variations of this selection pattern, combined with vastly different game plans from one week to the next and it's no wonder the team isn't clicking on attack and are making incredibly basic errors on both sides of the ball.


When Schmidt and Ryan got involved selections became far more consistent and the game plan far simpler and the dividends were instant, and they accepted bad performances as part of building towards the world cup. They were able to distinguish between bad plans and bad execution and by the time the finals rolled around they were playing their best rugby as a team.


Chopping and changing the team each week sends the signal that you don't really know what you are doing or why, and you are just reacting to what happened last week, selecting a team to replay the previous game rather than preparing for the next one and building for the future.

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