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Fiji tweak starting XV for semi-final against USA
By Ned Lester
The Flying Fijians have made three changes from the team that dismissed Tonga in round three of the Pacific Nations Cup as they look to claim another title in the revamped tournament.
The World Cup quarter-finalists play the USA in the opening semi-final of the weekend in Tokyo and have named a powerful matchday 23 for the occasion.
Isoa Nasilasila rejoins the starting unit in the second row, along with Kitione Salawa who comes into the No. 7 jersey, replacing Elia Canakaivata who moves to No. 8 and pushes Albert Tuisue to the bench.
In the backline, Inia Tabuavou comes in at inside centre for Adrea Cocagi while Apisalome Vota assumes his spot on the bench.
Fiji head coach Mick Byrne's promising start to the campaign saw his team come through the pool stage undefeated and with comfortably the best points differential in the competition, placing them as heavy favourites for the semi-final.
Fiji team to face the USA
1 Eroni Mawi
2 Tevita Ikanivere
3 Samu Tawake
4 Isoa Nasilasila
5 Temo Mayanavanua
6 Meli Derenalagi
7 Kitione Salawa
8 Elia Canakaivata
9 Frank Lomani
10 Caleb Muntz
11 Epeli Momo
12 Inia Tabuavou
13 Iosefo Baleiwairiki
14 Vuate Karawalevu
15 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
Reserves
16 Mesulame Dolokoto
17 Haereiti Hetet
18 Peni Ravai
19 Ratu Rotuisolia
20 Albert Tuisue
21 Peni Matawalu
22 Apisalome Vota
23 Ilaisa Droasese
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Latest Comments
Nah, that just needs some more variation. Chip kicks, grubber stabs, all those. Will Jordan showed a pretty good reason why the rush was bad for his link up with BB.
If you have an overlap on a rush defense, they naturally cover out and out and leave a huge gap near the ruck.
It also helps if both teams play the same rules. ARs set the offside line 1m past where the last mans feet were😅
Go to commentsYeah nar, should work for sure. I was just asking why would you do it that way?
It could be achieved by outsourcing all your IP and players to New Zealand, Japan, and America, with a big Super competition between those countries raking it in with all of Australia's best talent to help them at a club level. When there is enough of a following and players coming through internally, and from other international countries (starting out like Australia/without a pro scene), for these high profile clubs to compete without a heavy australian base, then RA could use all the money they'd saved over the decades to turn things around at home and fund 4 super sides of their own that would be good enough to compete.
That sounds like a great model to reset the game in Aus. Take a couple of decades to invest in youth and community networks before trying to become professional again. I just suggest most aussies would be a bit more optimistic they can make it work without the two decades without any pro club rugby bit.
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