Preview: Fiji v Uruguay

WORLD CUP POOL MATCH: Fiji players will pause in silence before their Rugby World Cup game against Uruguay to commemorate those who died in the 2011 tsunami that devastated the region.

Then the plan is to run relentlessly for 80 minutes and put on a show at the Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium on Wednesday.

The venue was built on the grounds of two schools destroyed by the massive earthquake and tsunami that hit much of Japan’s northeastern coastline.

After running Australia ragged for an hour last Saturday, Fiji lost their opener 21-39.

That has made them more determined to gain momentum in games against Uruguay and Georgia before their October 9 showdown with Wales that could have a quarterfinals spot at stake.

Coach John McKee has made 12 changes to his starting line-up for the Uruguay game, two enforced by injuries and others to give back-up players valuable tournament experience and front-line stars a break.

“We are on a four-match series to qualify for the playoffs, so the Uruguay game is a very important part of that quest,” he said.

Fiji captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu and Leone Nakarawa are the only remaining starters in the forward pack from last weekend.

Henry Seniloli and Josh Matavesi will combine in the halves, while Jale Vatubua is returning from a seven-week injury layoff to form a new midfield combination with Semi Radradra, who started against Australia on the wing.

Filipo Nakosi adds pace on one wing and Vereniki Goneva adds his try-scoring experience on the other.

Uruguay will commence their campaign on Wednesday, having one of the longest waits to get going.

Assistant coach Oscar Duran said they had taken advantage of the extended preparation time and had the extra motivation of playing at Kamaishi.

“We are all aware of what happened with the tsunami here, [and] what it means for everyone in Kamaishi and all of Japan to be playing a Rugby World Cup match here,” he said.

Two sons of Uruguay great Diego Ormaechea – who in 1999 was the oldest player, at 40, to compete in the Rugby World Cup – have been included on the bench.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nccmiFp3Sjg&t=72s

Players to watch

For Fiji: Only three players survived from their opening clash with Australia. Captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu, loose forward Leone Nakarawa and centre Semi Radrada will be the only remaining starters from the Australia game – a 21-39 loss. Josh Matavesi was named at flyhalf with his brother Samuel on the bench, while Mesulame Dolokoto, Jale Vatubua, and Filipo Nakosi will make their World Cup debuts.

For Uruguay: There are nine survivors from the starting line-up that secured World Cup qualification against Canada in February 2018. In the back row, captain Juan Manuel Gaminara is one of eight players who were in Uruguay’s match-day 23 when they lost 15-47 to Fiji at the World Cup 2015.

Head to head

With so many changes you would look at both squads for newcomers to set the World Cup stage alight. By the nature of their games, the two captains will be crucial – flanks Dominiko Waqaniburotu (Fiji) and Juan Manuel Gaminara (Uruguay), both wearing No.6.

Previous results

2018: Fiji won 68-7, Suva
2015: Fiji won 47-15, Milton Keynes (World Cup pool match)

Prediction: Fiji pushed Australia hard for an hour, but their discipline let them down and a yellow card saw the Wallabies put the match beyond them. Uruguay doesn’t seem to pose the same threats and Fiji should win comfortably – by 30 points or more.

Teams

Fiji: 15 Alivereti Veitokani, 14 Filipo Nakosi, 13 Semi Radradra, 12 Jale Vatubua, 11 Vereniki Goneva, 10 Josh Matavesi, 9 Henry Seniloli, 8 Leone Nakarawa, 7 Mosese Voka, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (captain), 5 Api Ratuniyarawa, 4 Tevita Ratuva, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Mesulame Dolokoto, 1 Eroni Mawi.
Replacements: 16 Tuvere Vugakoto, 17 Campese Ma’afu, 18 Lee-Roy Atalifo, 19 Tevita Cavubati, 20 Samuel Matavesi, 21 Nikola Matawalu, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Levani Botia.

Uruguay: 15 Gaston Mieres, 14 Nicolas Freitas, 13 Juan Manuel Cat, 12 Andres Vilaseca, 11 Rodrigo Silva, 10 Felipe Berchesi, 9 Santiago Arata, 8 Manuel Diana, 7 Santiago Civetta, 6 Juan Manuel Gaminara (captain), 5 Manuel Leindekar, 4 Ignacio Dotti, 3 Diego Arbelo, 2 German Kessler, 1 Mateo Sanguinetti.
Replacements: 16 Guillermo Pujadas, 17 Facundo Gattas, 18 Juan Pedro Rombys, 19 Franco Lamanna, 20 Juan Diego Ormaechea, 21 Agustin Ormaechea, 22 Felipe Etcheverry, 23 Tomas Inciarte.

Date: Wednesday, September 25
Venue: Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Kamaishi City
Kick-off: 14.15 (02.15 Uruguay time; 05.15 GMT; 17.15 Fiji time)
Expected weather: Partly cloudy, with no prediction of precipitation. High of 21°C and low of 11°C
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Andrew Brace (Ireland)
TMO: Marius Jonker: (South Africa)