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Fiji lose breakdown menace, captain for All Blacks rematch

Levani Botia. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

Head coach Vern Cotter has made four changes to Fiji’s starting lineup for their rematch with New Zealand this weekend.

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After staying in touch with the All Blacks for the better part of last Saturday’s match, the home side scored four tries in the final quarter to balloon the score out, ultimately winning 57-23.

Still, the result marked Fiji’s best-ever performance against NZ, setting records for most points scored, fewest points conceded and smallest losing margin.

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Ardie Savea will earn his 50th cap for the All Blacks this weekend.

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Ardie Savea will earn his 50th cap for the All Blacks this weekend.

As such, Fiji will enter Saturday’s game confident that they can continue to threaten the All Blacks – but they’ll have to do it without their talismanic skipper.

Midfielder Levani Botia – equally adept at disrupting breakdowns as he is with ball in hand – has been ruled out of Saturday’s clash in Hamilton and has been replaced by speedster Eneriko Buliruarua.

Experienced second-rower Leone Nakarawa will take over the captain’s armband this weekend in Botia’s stead.

“Earlier in the week we knew we had a doubt with Levani and we spoke to Leone,” Cotter said after naming his side.

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“He has already been looking after the lineouts and now he takes on a wider leadership role, but he does that naturally with his excellent leadership skills.”

In more positive news, halfback Frank Lomani is able to take his place in the No 9 jersey after missing the first test due to disruptions to his travel from Australia.

Elsewhere, Peceli Yato comes into the starting lineup in place of Albert Tuisue at number 8, who wasn’t able to train at the start of the week due to a minor injury, while wing Setareki Tuicuvu takes over from Eroni Sau on the wing.

 

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There are also a handful of changes to the reserves with Mesulame Dolokoto and Eroni Mawi joining as front-row substitutes, Kitione Kamikamica set to cover the loose forwards, and Queensland Reds half-back Moses Sorovi and utility back Teti Tela lining up to make their test debuts.

“I felt that strong sign of strength and unity from our boys, they competed well at the breakdown and they were well structured with their set-piece, but in the last 20 minutes we just run out of steam,” Cotter said of the first test.

“[There were] some really positive signs, as we slowed the All Blacks down and they expected to play undercover, and [we] did a really good job at going in and disrupting and stealing ball and that was important in stopping the All Blacks flow.

“They will counter our ruck play so we’ll be expecting them to be more physical at these areas, and we’re physically prepared for that. We’re looking at ways where we can surprise them.”

All in all, Cotter is confident that Fiji can put out an improved showing – especially given the team’s now had one extra week in camp together, after spending their first two weeks in New Zealand in quarantine.

“There are some very positive things from the last game that we’re happy with and things that we need to work on to became more competitive for our next game this weekend,” he said.

“We’re happy with the effort but there are certain parts that weren’t quite polished well, which is understandable because we’re haven’t played together and it was our first test match for this year.”

Saturday’s match kicks off at 7:05pm on Saturday evening from Hamilton.

Fiji: Kini Murimurivalu, Setareki Tuicuvu, Waisea Nayacalevu, Eneriko Buliruarua, Nemani Nadolo, Ben Volavola, Frank Lomani; Peceli Yato, Mesulame Kunavula, Johnny Dyer, Leone Nakarawa (c), Temo Mayanavanua, Mesaki Doge, Sam Matavesi, Peni Ravai. Reserves: Mesulame Dolokoto, Eroni Mawi, Leeroy Atalifo, Albert Tuisue, Kitione Kamikamica, Moses Sorovi, Teti Tela, Manasa Mataele.

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AM 41 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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