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Six starters from the Drua named in Fiji team to take on the All Blacks
By Ben Smith
After making the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs for the first time in their history, the Fijian Drua have been rewarded with 12 national selections, while a mix of experienced veterans return.
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The Flying Fijians have named six starters from the Drua, with six more on their bench to take on the All Blacks at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. A number of vastly experienced Top 14 players complete the side.
World Cup hero Waisea Nayacalevu starts at centre and retains the captaincy under new head coach Mick Byrne, who takes over from Simon Rawailui who stepped down after last year’s campaign. Partnering Nayacalevu in the midfield is Inia Tabuavou of Racing 92.
Superstar winger Semi Radradra will play on the left wing, with Toulon’s Jiuta Wainiqolo on the right. Vilimoni Botitu of Castres completes the back three at fullback.
In the halves Frank Lomani partners Richie Mo’unga’s nephew, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, who was Super Rugby Pacific’s best goal kicker this season.
The pack is lead by the experience of Viliame ‘Bill’ Mata who starts at No 8. 23-year-old Kitione Salawa gets a start at openside, while Pau-based Lekima Tagitagivalu will start on the blindside.
Temo Mayanavanua of Northampton Saints and Isoa Nasilasila of the Drua start in the second row.
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There is plenty of experience in the front row with tighthead Mesake Doge of the Dragons in the URC, while Drua hooker Tevita Ikanivere starts with Saracens loosehead Eroni Nawa.
Fiji team to play New Zealand:
1. Eroni Nawa
2. Tevita Ikanivere
3. Mesake Doge
4. Isoa Nasilasila
5. Temo Mayanavanua
6. Lekima Tagitagivalu
7. Kitione Salawa
8. Viliame Mata
9. Frank Lomani
10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
11. Semi Radradra
12. Inia Tabuavou
13. Waisea Nayacalevu
14. Jiuta Wainiqolo
15. Vilimoni Botitu
Reserves
16. Zuriel Togiatama
17. Haereiti Hetet
18. Samu Tawake
19. Albert Tuisue
20. Elia Canakaivata
21. Simione Kuruvoli
22. Caleb Muntz
23. Sireli Maqala