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Albert Tuisue switches position as Fiji name team to play Japan

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 10: Shannon Frizell of the All Blacks poses for a photo with Albert Tuisue of Fiji during the International Test Match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Fiji at Forsyth Barr Stadium on July 10, 2021 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

Gloucester No.8 Albert Tuisue has been drafted into the second row as the Flying Fijians attempt to finish their Pacific Nations Cup campaign unbeaten by knocking over Japan in Tokyo on Saturday.

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Tuisue, the former London Irish back row forward, missed out on a place in the Fiji squad for the Rugby World Cup in 2019 but is proving to be an invaluable member of the current team and is set to be named in the Cup squad for France to erase the memories of his disappointment of four years ago. Before setting off for Japan, Tuisue, 30, told local media: “It (2019) was quite emotional for me as I had done my best, but I was dropped but I am hopeful I’ll make the squad to the World Cup this year.

“The last four weeks has been great in terms of bonding especially for the Fijian Drua boys and us overseas based players and it has been a good mixture.

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“We have seen the game last week (defeating Sanmoa)  where there were a few young boys who were on debut but they played really well and we hope we will have a good outcome against Japan this week.”

Tuisue , who gave up his career as a police officer in Fiji in order to become a professional rugby player joins Temo Mayanavanua  in a new second row combination with  Lekima Tagitagivalu,  Kitione Kamikamica  and Meli Derenalagi filling the back row places against a Japan team that will try to play at a high tempo.

Significantly, experienced Ben Volavola returns at fly-half while Selestino Ravutaumada starts his third successive  match having helped defeat Tonga and Samoa with the dangerous  Jiuta Wainiqolo and Sireli Maqala completing the back three.

Head Coach Simon Raiwalui said “We have had a quick turnaround following our match against Samoa last weekend. As usual, we are still in the preparation phase for Rugby World Cup hence we are testing and rotating our players at certain positions. It’s good to have Ben Volvavola back in the squad. He was nursing a niggling injury for the past few weeks and his experience at number 10 will be a boost against Japan.

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“We know Japan is a good team, plays very high tempo of the game and very organized so we are just looking forward to the challenge.”

Raiwalui has made changes to the starting XV that beat Samoa including naming Vilimoni Botitu at centre rather than in the back row.

FIJI Water Flying Fijians match day 23 V Japan
1. Eroni Mawi
2. Sam Matavesi
3. Luke Tagi
4. Albert Tuisue
5. Temo Mayanavanua
6. Lekima Tagitagivalu
7. Kitione Kamikamica
8. Meli Derenalagi
9. Simione Kuruvoli
10. Ben Volavola
11. Selestino Ravutaumada
12. Vilimoni Botitu
13. Waisea Nayacalevu {C}
14. Jiuta Wainiqolo
15. Sireli Maqala

RESERVES:
16. Tevita Ikanivere
17. Peni Ravai
18. Mesake Doge
19. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
20. Joseva Tamani
21. Frank Lomani
22. Teti Tela
23. Ilaisa Droasese

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1 Comment
0
007 591 days ago

'Fiji Water Flying Fijians'?? 😂
It's just plain and simply FIJI.

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Amelia Jonathan 3 hours ago
Don't get out over your skis on the Highlanders

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JW 5 hours ago
Crusaders vs Force takes: Let's talk about Sevu Reece, forgotten All Black returns

I think Reece has bulked up too much and now doesn’t have the pace to perform to his previously high standards. He’s making himself less of a winger but I’m not really sure he’s filling another role succinctly either. I think criticism at the AB level has seen him try to redevelop his game, I’m really not sure he can be continued to be used at the highest level. Definitely becoming the wing version Richie Mo’unga is possible (if not already attained) at Super Rugby level however. I loved watching him play when he first broke through.

The Force are undeniably much improved this season, but it’s going to take some reps to prove to themselves that they really can hang with the big dogs.

Yeah they’re still well off in the quality personal front.

It was the 21-year-old’s first appearance of the season, and he certainly made the most of it, with 13 carries accounting for 50 running metres – each of them passing by in a blur as Springer made his may to the try line time and time again.

Will Jordan was playmaking superbly to assist the youngster’s points tally, but it was all individual brilliance in the 53rd minute when Springer tiptoed down the sideline before collecting his own chip kick and outpacing the final two defenders to score under the posts.

After pre-season I said that I wanted Springer to cement the starting jersey, and that (well I’ve not no idea exactly which sides they play) another new wing recruit, Kunawave, would replace Reece as the Fijian Flyer in the team by season end. Reece might be making that tough, but unfortunately it looks like there wasn’t a full squad spot for the young fella and he has since made his AB7s debut instead. Watch this space though as he and Saifoloi look to have the X factor👍


That Jordan pass to Springer aside it was otherwise a very lackluster game for him as he looks to be struggling with processing his option taking in this new style he’s trying. Still have to think a man of that talent and ingenuity is going to make it click sooner or later though!

t’s a congested position, and after Ennor shot down talk of him being swept up by a Top 14 outfit this week, it looks as if the Crusaders have some selection headaches to solve in the coming weeks.

That’s great news. I can’t remember if it was because he actually made his return in pre-season or not but for some reason I was liking how Ennor looked like he might be providing the right options for Saders and even ABs when back. Very pleased to see him fit straight in though there was plenty of space on offer but he almost looked as if he was more dangerous with no space. Could be the long looked for option at 13?

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