ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
Fiji has made eight changes from the side that defeated Samoa two weeks ago to play the All Blacks at Carisbrook in Dunedin on Friday night.
And Fiji will use Samoa's historic 33-23 victory over the Australian Wallabies on Sunday as an inspiration to turn the tables against the world number one ranked All Blacks side.
Head coach Sam Domoni has made one change in the front row where 2007 RWC star Sunia Koto gets the nod ahead of Viliame Veikoso at hooker.
Ifereimi Rawaqa replaces Leone Nakarawa who started against Samoa as one of the lock forwards. Dominiko Waqaniburotu and Akapusi Qera are favoured ahead of Rupeni Nasiga and Malakai Ravulo on the side of the scrum.
Vitori Buatava edges Nemia Kenatale at halfback while Seremaia Bai starts at first receiver.
France-based Vereniki Goneva is shifted to the right wing to make room for former Clermont flyer Napolioni Nalaga on the blindside wing.
Ravulo, Nasiga, Veikoso, Kenatale and Taniela Rawaqa will all start on the bench. Youngster Metuisela Talebula is also named in the 24-member squad.
Fiji team manager Talemo Waqa said Samoa's victory over the Wallabies was a huge boost for the Flying Fijians as they prepare for one of their biggest Test matches prior to the Rugby World Cup.
"Nothing is impossible. Samoa have beaten the world number two team so we are going there to play the world number one team. Samoa went into the field with determination and the right mind-set so they got the result," Waqa said.
"Definitely the result is a big boost for us. We watched the game. Samoa maintained composure and it has given our players a huge confidence boost."
The Fiji-All Blacks Test kicks off at 7.35pm.
"We played our last Pacific Nations Cup match on July 13 and have only the Punjas Series in August against Tonga to test players prior to the World Cup, so having a Test against the best team in the world between the PNC and the Punjas Series fits perfectly into our preparations," Domoni said.
Team:
1. Campese Ma'afu, 2. Sunia Koto, 3. Deacon Manu, 4. Ifereimi Rawaqa, 5. Sekonaia Kalou, 6. Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 7. Akapusi Qera, 8. Sakiusa Matadigo, 9. Vitori Buatava, 10. Seremaia Bai, 11. Napolioni Nalaga, 12. Ravai Fatiaki, 13. Albert Vulivuli, 14. Vereniki Goneva, 15. Iliesa Keresoni, 16. Setefano Samoca, 17. Viliame Veikoso, 18. Rupeni Nasiga, 19. Malakai Ravulo, 20. Nemia Ranuku, 21. Taniela Rawaqa, 22. Metuisela Talebula, 23. Timoci Nagusa, 24. Netani Talei.
_ Emoni Narawa
Fiji has made eight changes from the side that defeated Samoa two weeks ago to play the All Blacks at Carisbrook in Dunedin on Friday night. And Fiji will use Samoa's historic 33-23 victory over the Australian Wallabies on Sunday as an inspiration to turn the tables against the world number one...
Fiji has made eight changes from the side that defeated Samoa two weeks ago to play the All Blacks at Carisbrook in Dunedin on Friday night.
And Fiji will use Samoa's historic 33-23 victory over the Australian Wallabies on Sunday as an inspiration to turn the tables against the world number one ranked All Blacks side.
Head coach Sam Domoni has made one change in the front row where 2007 RWC star Sunia Koto gets the nod ahead of Viliame Veikoso at hooker.
Ifereimi Rawaqa replaces Leone Nakarawa who started against Samoa as one of the lock forwards. Dominiko Waqaniburotu and Akapusi Qera are favoured ahead of Rupeni Nasiga and Malakai Ravulo on the side of the scrum.
Vitori Buatava edges Nemia Kenatale at halfback while Seremaia Bai starts at first receiver.
France-based Vereniki Goneva is shifted to the right wing to make room for former Clermont flyer Napolioni Nalaga on the blindside wing.
Ravulo, Nasiga, Veikoso, Kenatale and Taniela Rawaqa will all start on the bench. Youngster Metuisela Talebula is also named in the 24-member squad.
Fiji team manager Talemo Waqa said Samoa's victory over the Wallabies was a huge boost for the Flying Fijians as they prepare for one of their biggest Test matches prior to the Rugby World Cup.
"Nothing is impossible. Samoa have beaten the world number two team so we are going there to play the world number one team. Samoa went into the field with determination and the right mind-set so they got the result," Waqa said.
"Definitely the result is a big boost for us. We watched the game. Samoa maintained composure and it has given our players a huge confidence boost."
The Fiji-All Blacks Test kicks off at 7.35pm.
"We played our last Pacific Nations Cup match on July 13 and have only the Punjas Series in August against Tonga to test players prior to the World Cup, so having a Test against the best team in the world between the PNC and the Punjas Series fits perfectly into our preparations," Domoni said.
Team:
1. Campese Ma'afu, 2. Sunia Koto, 3. Deacon Manu, 4. Ifereimi Rawaqa, 5. Sekonaia Kalou, 6. Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 7. Akapusi Qera, 8. Sakiusa Matadigo, 9. Vitori Buatava, 10. Seremaia Bai, 11. Napolioni Nalaga, 12. Ravai Fatiaki, 13. Albert Vulivuli, 14. Vereniki Goneva, 15. Iliesa Keresoni, 16. Setefano Samoca, 17. Viliame Veikoso, 18. Rupeni Nasiga, 19. Malakai Ravulo, 20. Nemia Ranuku, 21. Taniela Rawaqa, 22. Metuisela Talebula, 23. Timoci Nagusa, 24. Netani Talei.
_ Emoni Narawa
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