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'Nadolo motivated is a monster' - Fiji powerhouse set for Test return

(Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Vern Cotter, the new Fiji coach, has included “monster “ wing Nemani Nadolo in his squad for the Autumn Nations Cup. Nadolo, who quit test rugby last year, is back in the squad after a successful switch to Leicester proved he was still a defence busting force.

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Cotter, who has yet to meet up with his players, selected a squad of 32 players for a camp on 25 October after spending the last while watching videos of European matches while also keeping tabs on those operating in New Zealand, where he has been based during the pandemic.

Fiji will play France on 15 November, Italy on 21 November and Scotland on 29 November, and besides Nadolo’s return to international rugby, Cotter also has Semi Radradra and Josua Tuisova in a powerful squad that will play a warm-up match against Portugal on 6 November.

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Cotter, the former Scotland coach, worked with Nadolo at Montpellier and said: “I know him well because he was at Montpellier and we have a strong relationship, plus he has done well at Leicester Tigers in Premiership rugby. He has assured me that he is playing well and he really wants to play, we feel he’s motivated, and Nadolo motivated is a monster.”

Nadolo made a try scoring impact at Leicester, who endured another poor season, but he remains a wrecking ball in attack and adds vital experience to a squad that includes nine Fiji based players who are part of the Skipper Cup and have been training together under the Fiji Rugby Academy; Tevita Ikanivere, Samuela Tawake, Jone Koroiduadua, Chris Minimbi, Manueli Ratuniyarawa, Peni Matawalu, Simione Kuruvoli, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Serupepeli Vularika.

“These players have the ability, with guidance from senior players, to become great Flying Fijians,” said Cotter. “We certainly (will) be demanding a lot from them with guidance by the senior ones in the squad.”

New Zealand based Waikato prop Haereiti Hetet, Northland forward Temo Mayanavanua and France based Kitione Kamikamica and Lekima Tagitagivalu have also been selected after impressing Cotter.

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“Haereiti is an unknown player but his father isn’t, he’s the son of Joeli Veitayaki, somebody who is very well known,” added Cotter. “Haereiti has really impressed us with his performance as he can play both sides, left and right, and he is very excited about this opportunity.

“We won’t be going far away from relying on Leone Nakarawa to help these young players in coping with international rugby pressures so his arm around those players plus guidance from other experienced players will be very important. We will sit down to explain what we want from them as our expectations are very high.

“I don’t talk a lot as rugby is played on the field and they are good rugby players so we just going to explain what we expect from them and have a very simple approach to that game, drawing from their talent and using it in the best way possible.”

Fiji Rugby Chief Executive John O’Connor confirmed travel details and visas are still being sorted out for the squad along with the release of players from their clubs.

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O’Connor said “We are also dealing with the clubs on the release of our players and there could be changes to the squad if the situation requires so. It is important that we perform at this high level since it will open new pathway and opportunities for the players and Fiji Rugby.”

FLYING FIJIANS 2020 TOURING SQUAD:

LOOSEHEAD PROP
Eroni Mawi
Peni Ravai
Haereiti Hetet

HOOKER
Mesulame Dolokoto
Sam Matavesi
Tevita Ikanivere

TIGHTHEAD PROP
Samuela Tawake
Mesake Doge
Jone Koroiduadua

SECOND ROW
Tevita Ratuva
Leone Nakarawa
Temo Mayanavanua
Chris Minimbi

BACK ROW / UTILITY
Mesulame Kunavula
Kitione Kamikamica
Johnny Dyer
Albert Tuisue
Manueli Ratuniyarawa
Lekima Tagitagivalu
HALFBACK
Frank Lomani
Peni Matawalu
Simione Kuruvoli

FLYHALF
Ben Volavola
Tuidraki Samusamuvodre

CENTER
Lepani Botia
Serupepeli Vularika
Jale Vatubua
Waisea Nayacalevu
Semi Radradra

WINGER
Nemani Nadolo
Josua Tuisova

FULLBACK
Kini Murimurivalu

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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