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Richie Mo’unga’s nephew in line for Test debut when Fiji play Georgia

Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula of Fijian Drua passes the ball during the round 12 Super Rugby Pacific match between Western Force and Fijian Drua at HBF Park, on May 11, 2024, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images)

Playmaker Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula is in line for a Test debut after being named as one of five uncapped players in Fiji’s matchday squad to take on Georgia at Adjarabet Arena early on Saturday morning (Fiji time).

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Armstrong-Ravula, who is the nephew of former All Blacks flyhalf Richie Mo’unga, was an unused substitute on June 22 when Fiji went down swinging 45-32 against a star-studded Barbarians outfit at Twickenham.

Earlier in the year, the 20-year-old made the Fijian Drua’s No. 10 jersey his own during Super Rugby Pacific after starting 14 matches throughout the campaign, including the quarter-final defeat to the Blues at Auckland’s Eden Park.

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      Another Fijian Drua player, Elia Canakaivata, is the other player potentially set to debut off the bench. The uncapped trio of Drua backrower Kitione Salawa, Stade Francais outside back Peniasi Dakuwaqa, and Racing 92 centre Inia Tabuavou have been named to start.

      The starting side is completely different to the one that lost to the Baa Baas in London, starting with the all-new front row of Eroni Mawi, Tevita Ikanivere and Mesaka Doge. The middle row is made up of loosehead lock Isoa Nasilasila and tighthead Temo Mayanavanua.

      Coach Mick Byrne has named Pau backrower Lekima Tagitagivalu at blindside flanker, while debutant Salawa will start at openside. Olympic gold medallist Viliame Mata rounds out the forward pack as the starting No. 8.

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      Frank Lomani partners Vilimoni Botitu in the halves, while the midfield is made up of debutant Inia Tabuavou and inspirational skipper Waisea Nayacalevu.

      Peniasi Dakuwaqa will line up on the left wing, with Jiuta Wainiqolo on the right, and Fijian Drua Ilaisa Droasese is set to line up as the familiar option at fullback.

      On the bench, keep an eye out for Queensland Reds enforcer Peni Ravai and the Drua’s Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula.

      Fixture
      Internationals
      Georgia
      12 - 21
      Full-time
      Fiji
      All Stats and Data

      This match is being played in Georgia and is scheduled to get underway at 4:00 am (Fijian time) on Saturday morning. Fans in Fiji can watch the Test on Sky Pacific.

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      Flying Fijians to take on Georgia

      1. Eroni Mawi
      2. Tevita Ikanivere
      3. Mesake Doge
      4. Isoa Nasilasila
      5. Temo Mayanavanua
      6. Lekima Tagitagivalu
      7. Kitione Salawa*
      8. Viliame Mata
      9. Frank Lomani
      10. Vilimoni Botitu
      11. Peniasi Dakuwaqa
      12. Inia Tabuavou*
      13. Waisea Vayacalevu (C)
      14. Jiuta Wainiqolo
      15. Ilaisa Droasese

      Replacements

      1. Zuriel Togiatama
      2. Haereiti Hetet
      3. Peni Ravai
      4. Albert Tuisue
      5. Ratu Meli Derenalagi
      6. Elia Canakaivata*
      7. Simione Kuruvoli
      8. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula*
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      P
      PM 55 minutes ago
      Report card: Ratings all 35 England players from the 2025 July Tests

      George had a good tour to showed he is back to his best level.


      Heyes did well but shame we didn’t test Fasogbon this tour.


      Not sure ENG solved the confusion in the back row, as Underhill probably added to it. Curry, Curry, Pollock & Pepper are likely the go forward open-side options and they need to give games to Pollock & Pepper, so will see in the AI’s. Underhill is better than both but they also need games to develop. It’s 5 good players into 3 or 4 spots.


      We need to find the 8 to replace Willis at 60 mins and would like to have seen CC-S used over Dombrandt but will also have Earl & Pollock back, who could fill that last 20 min need.


      Will be interesting to see if SB tries Chessum/T Curry/ Willis or sticks with Curry/Curry/Willis with Pollock & Pepper coming off the bench. This feels like the short term future of our back row. Tough on Hill, never felt like he has been given a chance and too many wasted caps on Dombrandt at the expense of CC-S.


      Not sure why Quirke was not selected, scrum half is still an issue and whilst Spencer did his best in an England shirt, JvP & Quirke have time on their side, whereas Spencer is not getting any younger. feels like a wasted opportunity at 9 and hard to see how we test them all when Mitchell returns as starter.


      Atkinson was the big success, just hope they don’t pick Farrell at 12 and delay Atkinson’s development, he needs game time, which will be a challenge if Farrell returns.


      Back 3 feels like Furbank, Freeman & IF-W but Carpenter, Roebuck & Hendy adds strength in depth to that back 3 and will be interesting to see how quickly Lee Blackett gets Arundell back to his best at Bath.


      Some big selection decisions for Steve Borthwick, which he occasionally struggles making at this level (Mitchell, Willis etc). Interesting few months ahead but certainly heading in the right direction.

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