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Fiji to unleash Semi Radradra in grudge match with Tonga

Semi Radradra touches down in Fijian test debut

Former NRL star Semi Radradra has been included in a full-strength Fiji team for their final Test hit-out before facing Australia at the Rugby World Cup.

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Coach John McKee’s starting XV to face Tonga at Eden Park on Saturday is likely to be close to that which runs out against the Wallabies in their pool opener at Sapporo three weeks later.

The team is dominated by European-based professionals and most of them were involved in last November’s historic 21-14 upset of France in Paris.

That includes Bordeaux-based outside centre Radradra, who has made slick transition to the 15-man code.

The electric 27-year-old was a two-time Dally M winger of the year who boasted a remarkable strike rate with Parramatta, scoring 82 tries from 94 NRL appearances.

McKee has retained four of his country’s most experienced ever players for the global tournament in Japan and all of them will start on Saturday.

It will be the third World Cup for winger Vereniki Goneva, flanker/captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu, lock Leona Nakarawa and Sydney-born prop Campese Ma’afu.

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All have played at least 45 Tests, a significant feat in Fiji given their reduced schedule compared to tier one nations.

Victory in their 92nd clash against Tonga would lift Fiji past Japan to ninth in the world rankings, three places behind Australia.

A double-header at Eden Park features Samoa facing a New Zealand Heartland XV in the early match.

The World Cup-bound Samoans complete their buildup with a Test next week against Australia in Sydney.

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FIJI: Alivereti Veitokani, Josua Tuisova, Semi Radradra, Levani Botia, Vereniki Goneva, Ben Volavola, Frank Lomani, Peceli Yato, Semi Kunatani, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Leone Nakarawa, Tevita Cavubati, Kalivati Tawake, Sam Matavesi, Campese Ma’afu. Res: Tuvere Vugakoto, Eroni Mawi, Peni Ravai, Tevita Ratuva, Viliame Mata, Nikola Matawalu, Joshua Matavesi, Waisea Nayacalevu.

– AAP

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AM 5 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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