IRB PACIFIC NATIONS CUP

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Tabua calls on his big guns

Thursday 27th September 2007

Kele Leawere is the man to watch in the Fijian line-out

The highly anticipated Pool B clash against Wales in Nantes on Saturday is the final frontier for coach Ilivasi Tabua's Fiji.

The magnitude of the game was clearly evident in the Fijian coach's team selection on Thursday, with 11 of his front-line players who did not play against Australia last week returning to the fray.

The hopes of all the 850,445 Fijians following the game - through whatever medium they possibly can - will rest on vice-captain Kele Leawere's ability to motivate his forward pack.

Tabua has brought back seven of his tried and tested forwards that were rested against Australia last week.

Both Tabua and Leawere understand all too well that Fiji will be targeted in the set-pieces. So Graham Dewes, Sunia Koto, Jone Railomo (all front row), Sisa Koyamiabole, Akapusi Qera and Semisi Naevo (back row) will surely play their hearts out after the one-match break against the Wallabies.

Should the forwards achieve their objectives, expect the experienced half-back pairing of Mosese Rauluni and Nicky Little to make an impact, as they also make their returns to the fray.

There will be a lot more stability in the last line-of defence - also a key area of the game for Fiji - as Kameli Ratuvou returns at full-back.

All eyes will also be on centre Seru Rabeni, who is the last and probably the most dangerous back-line player to return to the Fijian starting XV.

This Fijian team has a lot to play for, having last qualified for the last eight of the tournament in 1987. The Islanders, like the All blacks, are intent on ending a ten-year drought.

Fiji:15 Kameli Ratuvou, 14 Vilimoni Delasau, 13 Seru Rabeni, 12 Seremaia Bai, 11 Isoa Neivua, 10 Nicky Little, 9 Mosese Rauluni(c), 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Semisi Naevo, 5 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 4 Kele Leawere, 3 Jone Railomo, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Graham Dewes
Replacements:16 Vereniki Sauturaga, 17 Henry Qiodravu, 18 Wame Lewaravu, 19 Aca Ratuva, 20 Jone Daunivucu, 21 Norman Ligairi, 22 Sireli Bobo

Date: Saturday September 29
Venue: Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Kick-off: 17.00 (16.00 BST, 15.00 GMT)
Referee: Stuart Dickinson
Touch judges: Kelvin Deaker, Simon McDowell
Television match official: Carlo Damasco
Assessor: Steve Hilditch