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Albert Tuisue switches position as Fiji name team to play Japan
By Chris Jones
Gloucester No.8 Albert Tuisue has been drafted into the second row as the Flying Fijians attempt to finish their Pacific Nations Cup campaign unbeaten by knocking over Japan in Tokyo on Saturday.
Tuisue, the former London Irish back row forward, missed out on a place in the Fiji squad for the Rugby World Cup in 2019 but is proving to be an invaluable member of the current team and is set to be named in the Cup squad for France to erase the memories of his disappointment of four years ago. Before setting off for Japan, Tuisue, 30, told local media: "It (2019) was quite emotional for me as I had done my best, but I was dropped but I am hopeful I’ll make the squad to the World Cup this year.
“The last four weeks has been great in terms of bonding especially for the Fijian Drua boys and us overseas based players and it has been a good mixture.
“We have seen the game last week (defeating Sanmoa) where there were a few young boys who were on debut but they played really well and we hope we will have a good outcome against Japan this week.”
Tuisue , who gave up his career as a police officer in Fiji in order to become a professional rugby player joins Temo Mayanavanua in a new second row combination with Lekima Tagitagivalu, Kitione Kamikamica and Meli Derenalagi filling the back row places against a Japan team that will try to play at a high tempo.
Significantly, experienced Ben Volavola returns at fly-half while Selestino Ravutaumada starts his third successive match having helped defeat Tonga and Samoa with the dangerous Jiuta Wainiqolo and Sireli Maqala completing the back three.
Head Coach Simon Raiwalui said “We have had a quick turnaround following our match against Samoa last weekend. As usual, we are still in the preparation phase for Rugby World Cup hence we are testing and rotating our players at certain positions. It’s good to have Ben Volvavola back in the squad. He was nursing a niggling injury for the past few weeks and his experience at number 10 will be a boost against Japan.
“We know Japan is a good team, plays very high tempo of the game and very organized so we are just looking forward to the challenge.”
Raiwalui has made changes to the starting XV that beat Samoa including naming Vilimoni Botitu at centre rather than in the back row.
FIJI Water Flying Fijians match day 23 V Japan
1. Eroni Mawi
2. Sam Matavesi
3. Luke Tagi
4. Albert Tuisue
5. Temo Mayanavanua
6. Lekima Tagitagivalu
7. Kitione Kamikamica
8. Meli Derenalagi
9. Simione Kuruvoli
10. Ben Volavola
11. Selestino Ravutaumada
12. Vilimoni Botitu
13. Waisea Nayacalevu {C}
14. Jiuta Wainiqolo
15. Sireli Maqala
RESERVES:
16. Tevita Ikanivere
17. Peni Ravai
18. Mesake Doge
19. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
20. Joseva Tamani
21. Frank Lomani
22. Teti Tela
23. Ilaisa Droasese
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All of these media pundits always miss the obvious whenever they analyse what is ailing or assisting the game. Rugby always has contentious points for debate when picking apart individual games and finding fault with itself. All this focus and scrutiny on “speeding up the game”, “high ball in play” etc is all contextual to the fan. As a tv viewer, if you’re absorbed into a game, regardless if your team is playing or not, more ball in play time and action are all byproducts of the contest. A good contest subliminally affects your memory in selectively remembering all the good aspects. A poor contest and your brain has switched off because its a blowout and the result is never in doubt or it’s a real chore to watch and remain engaged throughout. The URC, Top 14 and English premiership are all competitions that feel like there’s real jeopardy each week. The dominance of Super rugby by NZ teams was unhealthy from a sustainable interest perspective. You can’t fault those teams or the players, but the lack of competitions won by SA and Australian teams long term was always going to test the faith and patience of die-hard and casual fans from those regions. SANZAR took their eye off the fans and fans voted with their feet and subscriptions. They were so concerned about expanding their product they forgot the golden rule about broadcasting live sport. Viewers tune in more when there’s an atmosphere and a true contest. You need to fill stadiums to create one, host unions need to do more to service ticket buyers, and this year proves the other, there’s more interest in Super rugby this year only because more games are competitive with less foregone conclusions. All these micro statistics bandied about, only interest the bean counters and trainspotters.
Go to commentsIt’s a good, timely wake up call for NZ Rugby (seem to be a few of them lately!) - sort out the bureaucratic nonsense at board level. We can’t expect to stay the number one option without keeping fans/players engaged. We’ve obviously been bleeding players to league for years but can’t let the floodgates open (although I think this headline is hyperbolic as it’s a result of a recent Warriors pathways system where they are tracking things more closely) Understand the need to focus boys on rugby if they’re at a proud rugby school too, don’t think it’s harsh at all re Barakat in Hamilton. Reward the committed players with squad positions. An elite 1st XV system in NZ has done more for league than they even realise, think it’s good to protect our game further.
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