Fiji boosted by Peceli Yato return for Georgia clash

Adam Kyriacou
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Fiji head coach John McKee has made 11 changes to his team for their third Pool D match, against Georgia on Thursday, with Peceli Yato returning.

Only Manasa Saulo, Leone Nakarawa, captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu and Semi Radradra are retained following the surprise 30-27 defeat by Uruguay.

McKee has largely reverted to the selection which lost to Australia in the Flying Fijians’ opening match, his line-up containing 13 players who started the 39-21 defeat.

The only changes from that day’s starting XV are prop Saulo, who comes in for Peni Ravai, and Semi Kunatani, who has recovered from injury to make his Rugby World Cup debut in place of Viliame Mata.

Kunatani starts at openside flanker, with Yato cleared to return from the head injury suffered against Australia to move from openside to number eight. Before leaving the field 26 minutes into the Wallabies game, Yato had scored a try and made more metres than any Fijian player. He will play number eight for only the third time in his 35-cap Test career.

Frank Lomani scored two tries and Radradra one when Fiji beat Georgia 37-15 in Suva last year.

Defeats to Australia and Uruguay means Fiji are unlikely to make the knockout stages, but victory over Georgia would put them back into contention for third place in Pool D and automatic qualification for Rugby World Cup 2023.

Fiji: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 12 Levani Botia, 11 Semi Radradra, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Peceli Yato, 7 Semi Kunatani, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (c), 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Tevita Cavubati, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Samuel Matavesi, 1 Campese Ma’afu
Replacements: 16 Tuvere Vugakoto, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 20 Viliame Mata, 21 Nikola Matawalu, 22 Jale Vatubua, 23 Josh Matavesi

Date: Thursday, October 3
Venue: Hanazono Rugby Stadium
Kick-off: 14:15 local (06:15 BST, 05:15 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Matthew Carley (England)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)

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