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Fiji name team to play the All Blacks - Nadolo, Botia and Nakarawa start
By Ian Cameron
Fiji Head Coach Vern Cotter has named his 23-man Flying Fijian team to take on the All Black this weekend in Dunedin.
The game - which is being streamed in the UK, Ireland, Europe and the Middle East on RugbyPass - will a plethora of stars who are plying their trade in the Northern Hemisphere.
“Leone Nakarawa coming back in the team has helped cohesion in the lineout and lineout calling as he brings experience," said Cotter.
“We will need leadership and the forwards will have to be very good because we have to protect Simione Kuruvoli who is only having his second game with Fiji against the All Blacks and his opponent is Aron Smith, so it will be a great day for him, therefore, the forwards must be strong to protect him.
"Eroni Sau has trained very well and he has fitted in quickly. He has impressed us and had a very good season with Edinburgh so his continuing that form, Nemani has had a big season with Leicester with Kini Murimurivalu and Waisea Nayacalevu has also had a good season.”
“We have been happy with the preparation, that hasn’t been ideal but when we see what’s happening in Fiji, we just want to play well and hopefully we will lift spirits on the island.
"It’s cold in Dunedin but we will play under-covered roof, will be a dry ball game which suits us and we are going to play Fijian rugby which suits us and in which we good at” said Cotter.
Fans can avail of a weekend pass at the new price of just £4.99/€5.99/$5.99 for the Steinlager Series. You can sign up at liverugby.net/viewplans
FLYING FIJIANS VS NEW ZEALAND
1. Peni Ravai
2. Samuel Matavesi
3. Mesake Doge
4. Temo Mayanavanua
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. Johnny Dyer
7. Mesulame Kunavula
8. Albert Tuisue
9. Simione Kuruvoli
10. Ben Volavola
11. Nemani Nadolo
12. Levani Botia {c}
13. Waisea Nayacalevu
14. Eroni Sau
15. Kini Murimurivalu
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Peni Narisia *
17. Haereiti Hetet
18. Leeroy Atalifo
19. Tevita Ratuva
20. Peceli Yato
21. Setareki Tuicuvu
22. Eneriko Buliruarua *
23. Manasa Mataele *
*denotes uncapped players
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Latest Comments
There is a continued murmur in local circles about reciprocal bi annual tours between SA and Argentine. Whether it's full blooded test tours or development tours or a mixture - ie touring with a "test" 20 and a development 20 the cream of which will be used in tests. We actually really enjoy playing the Argies and I believe they enjoy playing us. It goes back seventy years to the Junior Bok tours to Argentine involving Isaac van Heerden.
Go to commentsDon't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
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