Wholesale changes for Fiji
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fiji coach John McKee has made 11 changes to his team for their Pool D match against Georgia on Thursday.
Only Manasa Saulo, Leone Nakarawa, captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu and Semi Radradra return following the surprise 27-30 defeat by Uruguay.
McKee has largely reverted to the selection which lost to Australia in the Flying Fijians’ opening match, his line-up containing 13 players who started the 21-39 defeat.
The only changes from that day’s starting XV are prop Manasa Saulo, who comes in for Peni Ravai, and Semi Kunatani, who has recovered from injury to make his Rugby World Cup debut in place of Viliame Mata.
Kunatani starts at openside flank, with Peceli Yato, above, cleared to return from the head injury suffered against Australia to move from openside to number eight. Before leaving the field 26 minutes into the Wallabies game, Yato had scored a try and made more metres than any Fijian player. Yato will play number eight for only the third time in his 35-cap Test career.
Frank Lomani scored two tries and Semi Radradra one when Fiji beat Georgia 37-15 in Suva last year.
Defeats to Australia and Uruguay means Fiji are unlikely to make the knockout stages, but victory over Georgia would put them back into contention for third place in Pool D and automatic qualification for Rugby World Cup 2023.
Fiji: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 12 Lepani Botia, 11 Semi Radradra, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Peceli Yato, 7 Semi Kunatani, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (captain), 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Tevita Cavubati, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Samuel Matavesi, 1 Campese Ma’afu.
Replacements: 16 Tuvere Vugakoto, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 20 Viliame Mata, 21 Nikola Matawalu, 22 Jale Vatubua, 23 Josh Matavesi
Date: Thursday, October 3
Venue: Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiosaka
Kick-off: 14.15 (19.15 Fiji Time, 08.15 Georgia Time, 05.15 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Matthew Carley (England)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
RWC TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT 📢
Some HUGE ins for the Flying Fijian’s game 3 against Georgia this Thursday at Hanazono Stadium, Osaka.It’ll be a physical battle against the Lelos, so let’s put our power 🇫🇯 💪🏾 behind the boys as they fight to make us proud.#vakabauta #itsfijistime pic.twitter.com/FOQULlr7Sj
— Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugby) October 1, 2019
