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Radradra named captain as Fiji name team to face Samoa

TEDDINGTON, ENGLAND - MAY 23: Semi Radradra passes the ball during the World XV training session at The Lensbury on May 23, 2023 in Teddington, England. The World XV will play against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday May 28. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images for Barbarians)

Fiji Water Flying Fijians coach Simon Raiwalui has handed the captaincy to centre Semi Radradra and named five new caps in his squad to face Samoa who give a debut to ex-All Black Steve Luatua in Apia in the Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday.

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Back rowers Meli Derenalagi and Vilive Miramira , centre Iosefo Masi and full back Ilaisa Droasese will make their debuts in the starting XV while the exciting talent of Joseva Tamani is set for a first cap off the bench. Luatua at No6 and he is in a powerful Samoa back row completed by the equally experienced Jack Lam and Fritz Lee who captains the team.

Ex-Wallaby Christian Leali’afano retains the Samoa No10 shirt after his matching winning kicking performance against Japan while on the bench there are potential first caps for ex-USA front-row forward Titi Lamositele and hooker Sama Malolo.

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Radradra is relishing leading his country and said: “It’s an honour and privilege for the coaching staff to have that trust in me to lead the team and I’m really looking forward to playing with the young and experienced players.

“We have a big group so everyone has the chance so it’s now time for them to prove. They are not new to rugby but they just maybe new in playing for Flying Fijians and I think they will do the job. Playing the Pacific Islanders team is always tough but we have really prepared well and we are ready to meet Samoa.

“I have played with Iosefo Masi a few times, especially in the 7s and starting with him this week is not new for me. We have been playing together for a long time and it’s a dream come true for me.”

Fiji have a new front row in Eroni Mawi, Tevita Ikanivere and Luke Tagi while Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta who made his debut from the bench last week in the win over Tonga, partners  Isoa Nasilasila at lock.

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FIJI TEAM:
1. Eroni Mawi
2. Tevita Ikanivere
3. Luke Tagi
4. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
5. Isoa Nasilasila
6. Meli Derenalagi *
7. Vilive Miramira *
8. Viliame Mata
9. Simione Kuruvoli
10. Caleb Muntz
11. Kalaveti Ravouvou
12. Semi Radradra {c}
13. Iosefo Masi *
14. Selestino Ravutaumada
15. Ilaisa Droasese*

REPLACEMENTS:
16. Zuriel Togiatama
17. Peni Ravai
18. Samu Tawake
19. Joseva Tamani*
20. Kitione Kamikamica
21. Peni Matawalu
22. Vilimoni Botitu
23. Josua Tuisova

* uncapped players

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Comments

2 Comments
i
isaiah 556 days ago

Great to see several Fiji Drua in the side . What they bring is energy and syngery that will take the Flying Fijians to another level

L
Lee Byron 556 days ago

Toso Viti!

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RedWarrior 16 minutes ago
Many England fans echoing the same gripe following Six Nations loss

The English defense was excellent in the first half. This is considering Ireland's attack has improved significantly since the Autumn with former Leinster attack coach Goodman. Ireland were beaten by NZ in the Autumn, are behind SA and arguably behind France so de facto 4th in order (rankings take time to catch up) As Eddie Jones said Ireland are still in that elite group so England's domination in the first half is noteworthy.

I believe they have spent the time since the Autumn largely on defence. On broken play they were relying on Smiths instint along with some jiggery pokery. For Smiths early line break a Twindaloo blocked Baird which left the gap for smith. It looked like he did Aki, but Baird was a little late arriving and clever play by Tom Curry allowed the gap for Smith. Earls line break was Smith spotting Baird coming out and beating him with a beautiful pass to Earl.

We saw the rehearsed plays for a couple of Ireland's tries. The Aki try was just identifying that England tended to hide Smith on the wing creating a vulnerability which Ireland exploited with one of Akis great finishes.

Although Ireland were relaxing at the end the two English tries were good enough quality and we may see more of it next week (Scotland will also have taken note).

Although on the easier side of the draw Borthwick almost took England to a RWC final.

But in common with the top4 you need to have firepower to get those tries in big games. Can Borthwick manage that? I don't think so.

Next week even if England have a great first half again, you would be looking at France converting 3 of those Irish chances and pushing on after the break.

Can Borthwick develop a plan to beat France in the next few years. If the answer is no England need to find someone who can.

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