Cotter confident of putting on pressure
Fiji coach Vern Cotter believes his side will be able to put pressure on the All Blacks in tonight’s test in Dunedin.
The flying Fijians will be missing three key players — Rebels halfback Frank Lomani, Reds No 9 Moses Sorovi and first five-eighth Teti Tela — because the Covid-19 outbreak in Australia prevented them travelling to New Zealand.
It means inexperienced halfback Simione Kuruvoli will be starting in just his second test at No 9, charged with the unenviable task of lining up against new All Blacks captain Aaron Smith.
However, Kiwi-born Cotter says Fiji will be going into the test confident of putting an unsettled All Blacks side under pressure.
“We haven’t got all our team, but we’ve got a team that’s confident to play the All Blacks,” he said.
“They had a good run against Tonga last week, so they’re better off for it.
“They’re trying a few new combinations. Brodie Retallick is coming into lock and he’s locking with [Patrick] Tuipulotu.”
The roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium, which will keep playing conditions dry and suited to the visitors’ famous style of running rugby, will also give Fiji confidence tonight.
“It’s cold in Dunedin but we’ll be under cover,” Cotter said.
“It will be a dry ball — it suits us. We’re going to play Fijian rugby. We’re going to play the rugby that suits us, that we’re good at.
“We are not going to play somebody else’s rugby, we are going to play our rugby.”
Regardless of the result tonight, Cotter said he hoped the team plays well for fans back home, with the Pacific Island nation continuing to be rocked by Covid-19.
“We’ve been happy with the preparation. It hasn’t been ideal, but when we see what’s happening in Fiji, we just want to play and play well and hopefully that would lift spirits on the island.”