Samu Domoni lists seven changes to Flying Fijian squad for Springboks encounter – Rugby News
Fiji’s national rugby union team, commonly known as the Flying Fijians, has announced their match day 22 for the upcoming 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) encounter against the Springboks. Flying Fijians head coach, Samu Domoni, announced the squad on Thursday,
September 15.
Domoni has made seven changes in his line-up that took the field against Namibia in their 2011 RWC opener at Rotorua on Saturday, September 10. The changes include three moves in the starting xv, while the remaining four are made on the bench.
The Fijians will meet the defending champions Springboks at Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, on Saturday, September 17.
Fijians fancy a chance of delivering an upset to the current World Champions, particularly as the Boks are not having a good time off late, both on the field and off the field. The South Africans barely surpassed Wales in their 2011 RWC opener. On top of
that they are struggling with injuries to several key players.
Additionally, the last time both teams met in any RWC match, Boks were made to work hard to earn their victory. Both teams last met in the quarter-finals of the 2007 RWC.
The three changes in the starting xv include the return of hooker Sunia Koto in place of Viliame Veikoso, flanker Akapusi Qera in place of Mala Ravulo and number eight Sakiusa Matadigo in place of Netani Talei. Talei will start the match from the bench
in place of the Akapusi Qera,
Meanwhile Qera, Ravulo and Veikoso have been dropped from the match day squad.
Domoni has named Talemaitoga Tuapati, Sisa Koyamaibole, Ravaia Fatiaki, and Nicky Little to the bench for their important encounter against the Boks.
Sunia Koto Vuli, Seko Kalou Qaraniqio, Albert Vulivuli, and Iliesa Keresoni have been dropped from the pack, making way for Tuapati, Koyamaibole and Little.
Saturday’s game will mark the fourth RWC tournament appearance for the Fijians veteran fly half Nicky Little.
The Fiji line-up for the weekend encounter consists of the following players:
Starting XV: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Gabirieli Lovobalavu, 12 Seremaia Bai, 11 Naipolioni Nalaga, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Sakiusa Matadigo, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Wame Lewaravu, 4 Leone Nakarawa,
3 Deacon Manu (c), 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Campese Ma'afu.
Replacements: 16 Talemaitoga Tuapati, 17 Waisea Nailago, 18 Netani Talei, 19 Sisa Koyamaibole, 20 Vitori Buatava, 21 Nicky Litle, 22 Ravai Fatiaki.
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