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Semi Radradra voices a concern about Fiji despite second warm-up win

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Semi Radradra has issued a warning to Fiji despite their second successive Rugby World Cup warm-up win. The Fijians defeated Samoa 33-19 in Apia on Saturday to add to their 36-20 victory last weekend over Tonga.

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However, this weekend’s skipper Radradra wasn’t completely satisfied that his team were now two wins from two just weeks out from their tournament opener versus Wales in Bordeaux on September 10.

What caused the midfielder anxiety was the inability of Fiji for the second successive weekend to build on a promising half-time position. They led the Tongans 26-15 at the break in Lautoka but were restricted to just a 10-5 score in the second half.

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Against Samoa, who last week won away to Japan in Sapporo, Fiji led 30-5 at half-time but they were outscored 3-14 in the second half and it was this fall-off that Radradra placed emphasis on when speaking post-game.

In quotes published by the Fiji Sun, Radradra said: “We knew Manu Samoa was tough and we stuck together going into the game. It was tough and we allowed them [Samoa] to come back in the second half.”

Hooker Tevita Ikanivere (two) and centre Iosefo Masi scored tries to have Fiji comfortably 17-0 lead ahead before Samoa struck with a Christian Leali’ifano try. That concession was the cue for Fiji to again dominate the first-half scoreboard, Selestino Ravutaumada grabbing his team’s fourth try and Caleb Muntz adding points off the kicking tee to secure their 25-point interval advantage.

It was needed as Samoa hit back with a couple of second-half tries to cut the eventual Fijian margin of victory to 14 points.

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Comments

1 Comment
C
CO 611 days ago

Fiji are a real threat in their pool. The Wallabies haven't picked the Brumbies first five who was the form first five, the pack lacks cohesion and had a problem in the front row and only has a couple of quality forwards. Wales are dealing with a lot of recent player volatility. If Fiji can target defeating Wales or Wallabies and defeat Georgia they're through. Go Fiji!

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Blackmania 41 minutes ago
‘Current form doesn’t matter’: Commentator on potential All Blacks midfield

I don’t really share Johnson’s opinion. Nothing better than Tupaea and Lienert-Brown in NZ? It’s a good duo, and he wouldn’t look out of place, but I think we can do better. Tavatavanawai seems superior to Tupaea at 12. He’s a brute force, who makes few mistakes (which can still be criticized in Tupaea), formidable both with and without the ball in close contact. I can see him playing with Proctor. On paper, this combination would be very, very interesting, in the same philosophy as the iconic Nonu/C Smith duo.

Anyway, I remain convinced that in Razor’s mind, Jordie Barrett is indispensable at center, and he could quickly team up with Leicester Fainga’anuku. I’m betting on that in the near future.

However, a Tavatanawai/Proctor duo would be very interesting. Ennor also seems to be a good option instead of Proctor, who still hasn’t played this season. But Ennor has only played one match... he needs to be seen again and get some game time. There is a lot of talent in New Zealand in these two positions. The hardest part will be cutting players who could make a difference for many teams. The choices are going to be tough. If I had to make a bold bet, and unlike Johnson, I don’t see Tupaea being selected, and I imagine ALB could be in a tight spot against Proctor and Ennor if they are fit.

I imagine Jordie, Havili, Rieko, and Fainga'anuku with Tavatavanawai. Ennor or Proctor if Fainga'anuku is not selected in July. And ALB if Jordie is rested

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