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Son of former RWC player handed Fiji debut

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND - MAY 26: Kitione Salawa of the Fijian Drua offloads the ball during the round 14 Super Rugby Pacific match between Highlanders and Fijian Drua at Forsyth Barr Stadium, on May 26, 2024, in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

Fiji’s Kitione Salawa joins new Italian call-up Matt Gallagher as the son of a famous rugby-playing father making their Test debut this weekend.

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An openside, Salawa shares the same Christian and position as his dad and is one of three uncapped players named in new head coach Mick Byrnes’ first matchday squad for Saturday’s trip to Georgia, along with Peniasi Dakuwaqa and Inia Tabuavou.

Salawa senior won six caps for Fiji and appeared at the Rugby World Cup in 2003, while Gallagher, who wins his first Azzurri cap against Samoa, is the son of former All Blacks full-back, John Gallagher.

Salawa junior, 23, retuned from an 11-,month lay-off because of a shoulder injury to star for the Fijian Drua this season, while Dakuwaqa impressed with his dangerous running for Stade Francais in the Top 14 and has been flagged up as one to watch by Byrne.

Inia Tabuavou is another plying his trade in France, as a centre with Racing 92.

Fixture
Internationals
Georgia
12 - 21
Full-time
Fiji
All Stats and Data

Sevens international Elia Canakaivata and World Rugby U20 Championship 2023 graduate, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, are also in line for first caps having been included amongst the replacements.

Upfront, Eroni Mawi, Tevita Ikanivere and Mesake Doge form the front row, Isoa Nasilasila and Temo Mayanavanua pack down behind them at lock, while Lekima Tagitagivalu is named on the blindside, Salawa is handed the number seven jersey and Viliame Mata brings all his skills and experience to No.8

With Caleb Muntz nursing a minor injury, Vilimoni Botitu steps in to win his fourth start at 10 and will partner scrum-half Frank Lomani at half-back.

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Waisea Nayacalevu leads the team at 13, with Tabuavou inside him, while Dakuwaqa and Jiuta Wainiqolo take their place on the wings and laisa Droasese lines up at full-back, as Fiji look to back up last year’s 17-12 win at RWC 2023.

Fiji overturned a 9-0 half-time deficit and overcame the loss of Semi Radradra and Josua Tuisova to the sin-bin to win that day, their tries coming from Nayacalevu and Vinaya Habosi.

Fiji team to play Georgia in Batumi, Saturday July 6:

15. Ilaisa Droasese; 14. Jiuta Wainiqolo, 13. Waisea Nayacalevu (C), 12. Inia Tabuavou*, 11. Peniasi Dakuwaqa*; 10. Vilimoni Botitu, 9. Frank Lomani; 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Tevita Ikanivere, 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Temo Mayanavanua, 6. Lekima Tagitagivalu, 7. Kitione Salawa*, 8. Viliame Mata

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Replacements: 16. Zuriel Togiatama, 17. Haereiti Hetet, 18. Peni Ravai, 19. Albert Tuisue, 20. Ratu Meli Derenalagi, 21. Elia Cakanakaivata**, 22. Simione Kuruvoli, 23. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula*.

*uncapped

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Patrickhill300 30 minutes ago
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Patrickhill300 47 minutes ago
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JW 1 hour ago
'I'm really disappointed': Former All Blacks disagree with Anzac Test outcome

Well obviously NZR is not beholden to revenue then Marshall.


And it simply never was a revenue issue. The AFL and NRL milk the ANZACs deaths and sacrifice for their own personal gain, they did not make their decisions based on “the rugby”, it’s all about taking over the day for the financial benefit. Why would NZR want to be a apart of that? We know RA would, but more than ever they are driven by the bottom line, and not the values that will be the factor in NZRs decision.


So you need to get outside you bubble Tim Horan and think about reality. First, did Australians need something to do on ANZAC day (assuming it was for the weekend celebration day proposal) or have they been brainwashed into disconnecting with their mates and connecting with the TV. What purpose does it provide other than financially essentially? Then ask yourself that same question for the communities out side of that, through Aus and then into NZ and around the pacific, world even.


We don’t need your shortshighted aussie brain calling out NZR thanks.


NZR also doesn’t want to destroy a good thing that is SRs revival amongst wider entertainment enjoyer base, and having a SR break/interruption was a big driver towards fans turning off previously. You’d have to wait at least a few years before they feel comfortable in disrupting that again. Actually having it at the beggining of 2027, World Cup year in Australia, might actually be the most sensible thing (though I actually really like Utiku’s idea). It would both drum up support and get the spotlight on rugby early in the season, helping anticipation/buildup for the big event, and more importantly, give the sides an extra game that year to get things right for a tilt at thge trophy.

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