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Fiji change 5 for Tonga clash in Pacific Nations Cup
By Josh Raisey
Fiji have made five changes to their starting XV for their Pacific Nations Cup meeting with Tonga on Friday from the team that triumphed over Samoa 42-16 two weeks ago.
Mick Byrne's side only need a win from the contest at the Teufaiva Stadium in Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa to top Pool A in the PNC after Samoa's 43-17 win over Tonga last week.
Saracens loosehead prop Eroni Mawi has returned to the starting XV for the contest as one of three changes in the pack. Lock Mesake Vocevoce and No.8 Albert Tuisue have also been promoted to the starting XV after starting on the bench against Samoa.
The duo of loosehead Haereiti Hetet and back row Kitione Salawa have dropped to the bench this week after starting against Samoa.
Gloucester No.8 Tuisue's starting berth means Elia Canakaivata will shift to the flank after previously starting at the back of the scrum.
The two changes in the back line see Adrea Cocagi start at inside centre in place of Inia Tabuavou, who drops to the bench. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula will also replace the absent Selestino Ravutaumada at fullback, with Vuate Karawalevu shifting to the wing for this encounter.
Fiji XV
1 Eroni Mawi
2 Tevita Ikanivere
3 Samu Tawake
4 Mesake Vocevoce
5 Temo Mayanavanua
6 Meli Derenalagi
7 Elia Canakaivata
8 Albert Tuisue
9 Frank Lomani
10 Caleb Muntz
11 Epeli Momo
12 Adrea Cocagi
13 Iosefo Masi
14 Vuate Karawalevu
15 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
Replacements
16 Mesulame Dolokoto
17 Haereiti Hetet
18 Peni Ravai
19 Ratu Rotuisolia
20 Kitione Salawa
21 Peni Matawalu
22 Inia Tabuavou
23 Ilaisa Droasese
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Latest Comments
Yeah - 100% of these players were immigrants and arrived mainly as children or teenagers in NZ. And I might add that unlike Lowe, Aki, and Jamieson GP, they reflect the ethnic and cultural makeup of NZ. 185,000 Samoans are not all rugby players....
Unlike professional rugby players, who like Aki and Lowe, had represented their country of origin in both U20 and Maori All Blacks, the 'project players' are a different breed.
But because you are so dishonest, let's see if you can bring some honesty to the discussion:
Agree or disagree:
1. The IRFU enacted a policy of "Project Players."
2. The policy targeted professional rugby players who they considered could, after the residency three-year residency period in existence at that time(now five years), play for Ireland.
3. None of the Southern Unions - RA, NZRFU, etc- have ever enacted any centralized policy and have ever had any "project player."
Be brave - answer the questions - I bet you can't or won't.
Because the facts reflect how dishonest the IRFU and the likes of its fans who are happy to disassemble around how they effectively brought their way to success.
But go ahead and prove me wrong - because if you can't acknowledge facts - what does that say about you?
Go to commentsExcept they are not the British Lions, and haven’t been since the Aus tour in 2001 when the official name was changed to The British and Irish Lions. Trying to link possible Irish unification to the name of the team is quite bizarre, as is your comment about yearning to be under the auspices of a combined sporting structure. I’m assuming it’s a pitiful attempt at being provocative, as it would be unkind to believe that you are actually that stupid.
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