Tabua drafts in new pack
Fiji coach Ilivasi Tabua has made wholesale changes to his team to face Australia in Perth on Saturday, changing five of the eight forwards who lost 8-57 at home to the Junior All Blacks last weekend in the Pacific Nations Cup.
There are also two changes to the backline.
Up front, both props are changed. Henry Qioedravu replaces Tiko Matawalu at tighthead, while Graham Dewes replaces Alefoso Yalayalatabua at loosehead – that latter change being enforced after Yalayalatabua was denied entry to Australia because of immigration legislation.
In the second row, Iferemi Rawaqa keeps his place, but Kele Leawere replaces Wame Lewaravu, who drops to the bench.
Alifereti Diviverata keeps the captaincy, but plays at number eight this time, making way for Apolosi Satala at six, and Alapusi Qera takes the number seven jersey. Tomasi Soqeta drops to the bench, Netani Talei out of the team altogether.
In the backs there is a new half-back combination: fly-half Jo Tora sends Jack Prasad down to the bench, and Mosese Rauluni does likewise to Vitori Buatava.
Australia and Fiji are drawn in the same group at this year’s World Cup and are using the match as part of their preparations.
Fiji: 15 Marika Vakacegu, 14 Mosese Luveitasau, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Gabiriele Lovobalavu, 11 Isoa Neivua, 10 Jo Tora, 9 Moses Rauluni, 8 Alifereti Doviverata (captain), 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Apolosi Satala, 5 Kele Leawere, 4 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 3 Henry Qiodravu, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Graham Dewes.
Replacements: 16 Bill Gadolo, 17 Apisai Turukawa, 18 Wame Lewaravu, 19 Tomasi Soqeta, 20 Vitori Buatava, 21 Jack Prasad, 22 Taniela Rawaqa.
Date: Saturday, 9 June
Venue: Subiaco Oval, Perth
Kick-off: 18.05 (20.05 AEST; 10.05 GMT)
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Paul Honiss (New Zealand), Mark Lawrence (Scotland)
Television match official: Jonathon White (New Zealand)
Assessor: Andrew Cole (Australia)
