Fiji bring in nine rookies for Georgia
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head Coach Vern Cotter has named his Fiji team for their first and final Nations Cup match against Georgia on Sunday.
Nine players will earn their first cap for the Flying Fijians.
Flanks Johnny Dyer and Mesulame Kunavula together with Lock Temo Mayanavanua have been named in the starting line-up while Tevita Ikanivere, Haereiti Hatet, Samuela Tawake, Chris Minimbi, Manueli Ratuniyarawa and Simione Kuruvoli have been named on the bench.
He has maintained the halves combination of Frank Lomani and Ben Volavola and Nemani Nadolo returns on the left wing and will be assisting Volavola with the kicking.
Powerful Josua Tuisova will be on the right wing while Semi Radradra and Levani Botia will control the midfield and fullback Kini Murimurivalu will guide the team from the back.
Radradra has been named the captain of the side.
“It’s an exciting blend of experience and young players who want to establish themselves as Flying Fijians.”
“We have a very established backline who have played together for many tests and I expect them to be lethal if given quality possession”
Fiji: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Semi Radradra (captain), 12 Levani Botia, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Albert Tuisue, 7 Mesulame Kunavula, 6 Johnny Dyer, 5 Temo Mayanavanu, 4 Tevita Ratuva, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Samuel Matavesi, 1 Peni Ravai.
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Samuela Tawake, 19 Chris Minimbi, 20 Manueli Ratuniyarawa, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Seru Vularika, 23 Waisea Nayacalevu.
Date: Saturday, December 5
Venue: BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 12.00 (16.00 Georgia Time; 00.00 Sunday, December 6 Fiji Time)
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Sam Grove-White (Scotland) & Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
