FIJI

Preview: Australia A v Fiji

Wednesday 25th June 2008

Drew Mitchell: At full-back for Australia A

Australia World Cup winger Drew Mitchell will look to push his Test claims from full-back when he lines up for Australia A against Fiji in Brisbane on Sunday.

Mitchell will start as one of 12 Test caps in the side after returning from injury with two tries off the A's bench against Tonga last weekend.

Coach Phil Mooney has retained the same pack which thumped Tonga 90-7 and league convert Timana Tahu will again play inside centre.

Reds half-back Ben Lucas has been given his chance to push for a Tri-Nations squad berth, while Mark Gerrard is back from injury on the bench.

Meanwhile, when Flying Fijians skipper Mosese Rauluni runs onto Ballymore Oval for the Pacific Nations Cup match, it will be a defining moment in his rugby career which is four years into a new decade.

For the Qarani patriot from Gau island whose family resides in Brisbane, Queensland but plays his trade for Saracens in England, the priorities in life will have to change.

His reaction after spending time off rugby to be with his family has revealed he has found new love in daughter Isabella and the passion for the oval ball will be second.

So the Pacific Nations Cup match against Australia A will be his last for the year in the Fiji number nine jersey.

He will not feature against Tonga in the last Pacific Nations Cup game next week but he is determined to create history by becoming the first skipper to lead Fiji to victory over Australia A.

It will be special for Rauluni, who was brought up and learned his rugby in Brisbane. The city is home for the Raulunis and he has a special bond with Ballymore Oval.

Then there is an inevitable tide of change when he turns 33 on Friday.

A win against the hosts would be a perfect belated gift for the 42-Test veteran. Last year he led Fiji to the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup - the first time since the inaugural event in 1987.

Rauluni played for the Australia U19 side in 1993 and 1994.

He debuted for Fiji against New Zealand Maori in 1996 and has been a regular since then.

At the 1999 World Cup, he was reserve to elder brother Jacob - the number one Fiji half-back. In the 2003 World Cup, he played in all four of Fiji's pool matches.

Rauluni went on both Pacific Islanders tours in 2004 and 2006.

After an outstanding performance at last year's World Cup, Rauluni was named 'Player of the Year' at the 2007 Fiji Rugby Awards.

"We need to start building depth in the half-back position," Rauluni told the Fiji Times.

"It is time to give the other guys a break, especially those who will carry the flag in the future."

He said while there was no concrete decision on which direction his career would follow, it was imperative he wasn't selfish.

"It's important I try to get a bit of rest because I have played a lot of rugby not getting any younger," he said.

Fiji coach Ilivasi Tabua said Rauluni was a key mover who led and played with a real warrior attitude every time he was on the pitch.

The two played together in the 1999 RWC.

"He is a great asset and motivates his players and they feel a different vibe and energy with him around," said Tabua.

"But we have to understand he needs his break as well and there are younger guys coming through."

Rauluni has never played against Australia A and would want to make the match a memorable one.

"It will be tough and we will have to be prepared," Rauluni said.

"But the players know that they can do it."

Australia A: 15 Drew Mitchell, 14 Lachlan Turner, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Timana Tahu, 11 Digby Ioane, 9 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 Richard Brown, 6 Hugh McMeniman, 5 Peter Kimlin, 4 Mark Chisholm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Van Humphries, 19 Julian Salvi, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Sam Norton-Knight, 22 Mark Gerrard.

Fiji: 15 Taniela Rawaqa, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Marika Vakacegu, 11 Michael Tagicakibau, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Mosese Rauluni, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Sailosi Rabonaqica, 6 Semisi Naevo, 5 Kele Leawere, 4 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 3 Jone Railomo, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Graham Dewes
Replacements: 16Vereniki Sauturaga, 17 Tiko Matawalu, 18 Wame Lewaravu, 19 Deryck Thomas, 20 Aporosa Vata, 21 Kameli Ratuvou/Jonetani Ralulu, Sireli Naqelevuki/Saula Radidi

Date: Sunday, June 29
Venue: Ballymore Oval, Brisbane
Kick-off: 14:05 (04:05 BST)
Referee: Jonathan White (New Zealand)