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Wales get Rugby World Cup pool warning as Fiji's 'Demolition Man' set to be unleashed
Fiji Head Coach John McKee has some bad news for World Cup pool opponents Wales and Australia with the “Demolition Man” Lepani Botia ready to return to international action.
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Botia, whose destructive play has earned him that nickname, is a fans favourite at La Rochelle in the Top14 where he has signed a contract to remain in France until 2022 but has only just recovered from an ACL injury which restricted his rugby last season. Now, Botia, who can play flanker or centre, has told McKee he is ready to add to the 11 caps collected so far with the Flying Fijians having first hit the headlines as a sevens star in Hong Kong in 2012.
McKee caught up with Botia at the recent Fiji training camp staged in Toulouse where the coach set out his plans for the World Cup in Japan where they also face Georgia and Uruguay.
“Also present at the camp after injury problems was Newcastle flanker Nemani Nagusa who is ready to add his power to the national cause after also being ruled out of the November tests by injury. Another player pressing for selection is powerful Brive wing Sefanaia Galala .
McKee said: “Lepani Botia had an ACL injury last year and although he was carrying a little bit of calf injury at the time we were in camp he is looking fit and it is good to see him back in action. Nemani Nagusa was another player who was not part of the November tour but he is back to full fitness, in really good shape and playing well for his club (Newcastle).
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“He has had some strong games for the club in the recent times so for me it was pleasing. There are other players like Sefanaia Galala who have also hit form which is very good.”
McKee was delighted to find the Fiji players were still enjoying the confidence and momentum generated by their historic 21-14 win over France in Paris in November which highlighted the threat they pose to Grand Slam champions Wales and Australia, who are struggling for form.
“It’s evident the group have gained some self believe and momentum from that victory in Paris last November:” added McKee. “I think there is real enthusiasm amongst the group of players and there is now a strong belief in what they can achieve. We know we have a lot of work to do and my feeling with the group is that we will come into camp in Fiji in June with some good momentum. The boys will want to put themselves in best place to make the selections into the RWC team.
“The players are working hard to make sure they are in their best physical shape. I am also getting a chance look at to some of the players who just missed out on the November tour and touch base with them is important to ensuring we’re able to select from the entire talent pool.”
Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
36 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
36 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
36 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
36 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
36 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
36 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
36 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
36 Go to comments