Best for Fiji

COTTER RINGS CHANGES, WET DUBLIN WELCOMES FIJIANS

THE Flying Fijians is the underdogs against world No.1 Ireland in their Autumn Nations Cup Test in Dublin at 1am tomorrow.

But Fiji head coach Vern Cotter, after the loss to Scotland last week, has put together his best arsenal to stop the hosts on a battlefield which is expected to be cold, wet and slippery for the Fijians.

This will be the fifth time they met with Ireland taking all credits. During the last Test in 2017, the hosts were lucky to escape with a 23-20 win.

This time new coach Cotter has made eight changes from last week’s loss to Scotland. He made a few positional adjustments, kept core of last week’s side and filled in some reps who have been living in cold Europe conditions.

The Test is expected to be played under 13 Degrees. He has named a side that could withstand rugby on wet, slippery and cold conditions.

Cotter has maintained his front row of Eroni Mawi at loosehead prop, livewire hooker Sam Matavesi and veteran Manasa Saulo at tighthead prop.

Locks are Isoa Nasilasila and Ratu Leone Rotuisolia and experienced and hard hitting trio of Albert Tuisue and Levani Botia at flanks, and Viliame Mata at No.8 to contain Ireland’s renowned play around their forward pack.

Super Rugby’s Teti Tela starts at fly-half and will partner half-back Frank Lomani while Kalaveti Ravouvou and captain Waisea Nayacalevu will be the centres.

Olympian Jiuta Wainiqolo and Vinaya ‘Bossman’ Habosi are the wingers. Setareki Tuicuvu will be the fullback ahead of Kini Murimurivalu was is injured.

Mesulame Dolokoto and Lee-Roy Atalifo are on the bench as front row subs while the explosive John Dyer returns after last playing for Fiji in July 2021.

Tactical kicker and playmaker

Ben Volavola and Simione Kuruvoli are expected to add more firepower in the second-half. Adrea Cocagi is likely to earn his first cap off the bench.

“We will have to step up against Ireland,” Cotter said.

“There are three main access we are working on — how we carry the ball and clean the ball to provide a fastball, improve our defence and be on top of our game in our set pieces. They (Ireland) are barely looking at us because they have Australia the week after. For them, it’s just a training session and for us, it’s a game where we can learn, so we will use this opportunity to get better. They are a very good team. They are not only physical, but very slick, very good short passing game, in and around rucks, they can move the ball wide quickly and they have a better kicking game.”Meanwhile, in November, in Dublin, the average high-temperature is 11°C and the average lowtemperature is 6.2°C.

Fiji: Eroni Mawi, Sam Matavesi, Manasa Saulo, Isoa Nasilasila, Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, Albert Tuisue, Levani Botia, Viliame Mata, Frank Lomani, Teti Tela, Vinaya Habosi, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Waisea Nayacalevu, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Setareki Tuicuvu. Reserves: 16. Mesulame Dolokoto, 17. Livai Natave, 18. LeeRoy Atalifo, 19. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 20. John Dyer, 21. Simione Kuruvoli, 22. Ben Volavola, 23. Adrea Cocagi.