Semi Radradra returns for Fiji's clash with Canada
Head coach John McKee has made a number of changes to his side for this weekend's match with Canada - including the return of fan-favourite Semi Radradra.
Fiji went down 34-21 in Kaimashi against a strong Japanese side last week after drawing their series with the Maori All Blacks.
In order to get their Pacific Nations Cup defence back on track, McKee has brought in Semi Radradra, who has sat out Fiji's first matches of the year due to injury. Radradra last played for the Flying Fijians in their historical win over France last November.
Radradra will be partnered in the midfield by Jale Vatubua, who lined up alongside Radradra in Paris last year.
A new halves combination is also on the cards, with Henry Seniloli and Newcastle Falcon Josh Matavesi pairing up. This will be Matavesi's first start of the year after coming off the bench in the two previous matches.
An entirely new back three will combine to take on Canada, with Perpignan's Eroni Sau and Toulon's Josua Tuisova on the wings and Kini Murimurivalu at fullback.
In the forwards, lock Leone Nakarawa will take over as captain from Dominiko Waqaniburotu, who gets a rest after starting all three of Fiji's matches to date. Nakarawa will be joined by Tevita Ratuva to lock out the scrum. Peceli Yato will take Waqaniburotu's place in the 6 jersey.
There's also an all-new front row for the Fijians: Ratu Veremalua Vugakoto will pack down at hooker, alongside Campese Ma’afu and Peni Ravai.
All in all, McKee has made 12 changes to the match day squad which probably didn't earn enough go forward against Japan before they tried to get tricky with the ball in hand.
"They will come out strong and will play a physical game against us," McKee said of Canada, who also lost their first game of the competition.
"They will make us work very hard for everything in the game. They will scrap for every contest and possession."
Saturday's match kicks off at 5:15PM local time and will be played at ANZ Stadium in Suva, Fiji.
Fiji team to play Canada:
- Campese Ma’afu
- Ratu Veremalua Vugakoto
- Peni Ravai
- Leone Nakarawa (c)
- Tevita Ratuva
- Peceli Yato
- Semi Kunatani
- Viliame Mata
- Henry Seniloli
- Josh Matavesi
- Eroni Sau
- Jale Vatubua
- Semi Radradra
- Josua Tuisova
- Kini Murimurivalu
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Skelton may be brought back for the Wallabies so that would be the only reason that may hinder Wilson. Easily the form, most skilful and game IQ of any Oz 8. Valentini’s best and favourite position is 6, but lineouts may be an issue with Skelton, Valentini and Wilson. Will be interesting what Schmidt goes for but for me Wilson should be picked on form. Schmidt rewards work rate, skill and consistency. All that glitters every so often won’t be in contention. Greely is one of those players that has a knack of making the right decision. A coach is going to love him because he knows week in week out he’s going to get the job done. The second try Greely wasn’t the guy who made the initial break it was Flook, Greely was at the bottom of the ruck when Flook was off along the sideline. Greely got up and made the effort to catch up with play but also read the play nicely and hit the pass from Campbell at pace and then held the pass beautifully to Ryan.
Go to commentsSharks deserved to be far further back by the last quarter. Their tackling was awful, their set pieces were disappointing, their defensive organization was poor (especially on the Kok side of the D line), they kept making unnecessary errors, and they never looked like cracking the Clermont defense during those first 60m. Masuku kept them in touch, with some help from the Clermont generosity on penalty opportunities. Agree with the writer of this article. It was belligerence, and ability to raise their pressure game just enough, that turned the last quarter into a Bok-style shutout. Clermont have a reputation of not playing the full 80m, and there was a bit of that for sure. But, quite often when the intensity of a team drops off in the last quarter credit is due to the opponent for tiring them out. At 60m, with the Kok try, you thought that just maybe the game was on. At 70m, with the Mapimpi contribution, one felt that Clermont were fading, while facing a team that would maintain the pressure game through the final whistle. Good win in the end, but the Sharks are still playing way below their potential. And with their resources, and a coach that has had enough time to figure things out, they are running out of excuses.
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