Bai gets Little job against All Blacks
French-based Seremaia Bai will play at flyhalf in place of the injured Nicky Little in the Fiji team to meet New Zealand in a one-off Test in Dunedin on Friday.
Bai wore the No.10 jersey when Fiji lost 13-24 to Japan in the final match of the Pacific Nations Cup last week – in the absence of Little, who is suffering from bruised ribs.
Fiji will also be without back row forward Sisa Koyamaibole, who was suspended for two weeks, and reserve flyhalf Waisea Luveniyali, who was suspended for four weeks, after being sent off in the match against Japan.
Vice-captain Gabriel Lovobalavu, Kini Murimurivalu and Talemaitoga Tuapati were unavailable because of injury.
Lock Leone Nakarawa who is ineligible to enter New Zealand because he is a private in the Fiji army, was not included in the 24-man squad for the match at Carisbrook.
New Zealand has imposed travel sanctions against Fiji, refusing visas to members of the military and their families, since Commodore Frank Bainimarama seized power in a 2006 coup.
Nakarawa was named in Fiji’s World Cup training squad of 35, but was not named in the 24 to travel to New Zealand later this week.
Fiji will train in Suva on Tuesday and has banned media from their first training session.
Flank Dominiko Waqaniburotu will captain Fiji in Friday’s match.
Fiji lost 0-91 when it last met the All Blacks in 2005.
Fiji: 15 Iliesa Keresoni, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Albert Vulivuli, 12 Ravai Fatiaki, 11 Napolioni Nalaga, 10 Seremaia Bai, 9 Vitori Buatava, 8 Sakiusa Matadigo, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (captain), 5 Sekonaia Kalou, 4 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Campese Ma’afu.
Replacements: 16 Viliame Veikoso, 17 Setefano Somoca, 18 Josefa Domolailai, 19 Malakai Ravulo, 20 Vitori Buatava, 21 Taniela Rawaqa, 22 Vereniki Goneva.
Date: Friday, July 22
Venue: Carisbrook, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Assistant referees: Steve Walsh (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
SAPA-AP
