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Harlequins new signings Vereniki Goneva and Tevita Cavubati have been drafted into the Fiji team to face Samoa in Suva on Saturday as head coach John McKee searches for his most powerful line up for the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
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Goneva, 35-years-old, is back from injury to make his first appearance in the Pacific Nations Cup where Fiji are the defending champions and McKee is banking on the wing’s experience to help the team quickly deliver the kind of performance to prove they could be a major threat to World Cup pool opponents Australia and Wales.
McKee has picked Cavubati alongside Leone Nakarawa at lock while the promising Setareki Tuicuvu, who helped defeat France in Paris last November, is at full back to face a Samoa team missing captain Piula Fa’asalele who broke his wrist against the USA and could be out for up to six weeks. McKee said: “We all know what a great player he (Goneva) is and a leader on and off the field. Tuicuvu is a young player on the way up and has had some really good match time with his season in Clermont.
“They had a few unfortunate injuries which restricted their game time. But credit to them they have worked very hard during their rehabilitation. They’re in top-notch in their fitness conditions and are really looking forward to the game.”
Fiji will feature a solid front-row led by hooker Sam Matavesi and props Campese Ma’afu and Peni Ravai and an outstanding back row trio of captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Semi Kunatani and No8 Viliame Mata. Half-Back Frank Lomani and Fly-half Ben Volavola start after missing the win over Canada and there is a new mid-field pairing of Levani Botia and Semi Radradra.
“We are looking at a few positions ahead of the Rugby World Cup, giving the players the opportunity to get some game time before the squad is announced,” added McKee. “We are looking at our combinations within the team and are getting them to play together so that they get the combinations together.”
Fiji Airways Flying Fijians match-day 23
1. Campese Ma’afu
2. Sam Matavesi
3. Peni Ravai
4. Tevita Cavubati
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. Dominiko Waqaniburotu
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7. Semi Kunatani
8. Viliame Mata
9. Frank Lomani
10. Ben Volavola
11. Patrick Osbourne
12. Levani Botia
13. Semi Radradra
14. Vereniki Goneva
15. Setareki Tuicuvu
Reserves
16. Mesulame Dolokoto
17. Eroni Mawi
18. Kalivati Tawake
19. Tevita Ratuva
20. Peceli Yato
21. Nikola Matawalu
22. Josh Matavesi
23. Kini Murimurivalu
