Fiji name strong team to face Georgia

Fiji head coach Vern Cotter has named a strong run-on side for this Saturday’s Autumn Nations Cup Test against Georgia at Murrayfield.

After the pool matches against France, Italy and Scotland were called off due to the Pacific islanders’ team being hit with Covid-19 and being in quarantine, Cotter said they are fortunate to be playing their final match of the tournament.

“What we have lived through is difficult and in these kind of situations people grow and become better individuals and they have time to think and reflect,” he said.

“I think we have been able to do that as individuals and also as a team.

“We are stronger, we missed 10 days but when we look at each other now, you can see the message passing in everybody’s eyes that we have been through something difficult and the health of our players was paramount from the start.

“I think we need to recognise that this hasn’t been easy for the players and if they get out on the field to play this weekend, it’s an achievement just in itself.”

Several debutants

Nine players will earn their first cap for the Flying Fijians. Flankers Johnny Dyer and Mesulame Kunavula together with lock Temo Mayanavanua have been named in the starting line-up while Tevita Ikanivere, Haereiti Hatet, Samuela Tawake, Chris Minimbi, Manueli Ratuniyarawa and Simione Kuruvoli are on the bench.

Cotter has maintained the halves combination of Frank Lomani and Ben Volavola while Nemani Nadolo returns on the left wing and will be assisting Volavola with the kicking duties.

The powerful Josua Tuisova is on the right wing while Semi Radradra and Levani Botia will control the midfield and full-back Kini Murimurivalu will guide the team from the back.

Cotter said: “We have a very established backline who have played together for many Tests and I expect them to be lethal if given quality possession.”

Radradra has been named captain of the side with Cotter saying the Flying Fijians have a lot at stake and they will throw their all into the game and show the world that they are part of Autumn Nations Cup for a reason.

“We know Georgia are tough and they have been playing and improving because they are part of good competition,” he explained.

“They played well against Ireland recently so the battle will start upfront.

“The forwards are the first group that I’m really concerned about because we know they will be going to drive our lineouts and dominate our scrum and attack when we have the ball so we can’t get the ball out to our exciting backline.

“We are aware of that and the first challenge is to be very attentive and work hard to become effective and then of course once we do that, we need to find space and we need to have Semi Radradra, Nemani Nadolo and Josua Tuisova with ball in hand and a little bit of room.

“If we can do that than our game will be the game, we want.”

Returned to full swing

Cotter said that all the Covid-19 challenges since the team assembled has not dampened the spirit of the players, who returned to full swing training this week.

“To be fair it hasn’t bothered the players. The players are focused on playing for the Flying Fijians and putting on the white jersey that they are incredibly proud off together with representing their country,” he added.

“It’s an exciting blend of experience and young players who want to establish themselves as Flying Fijians.”

Fiji: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Semi Radradra (c), 12 Levani Botia 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Albert Tuisue, 7 Mesulame Kunavula, 6 Johnny Dyer, 5 Temo Mayanavanu, 4 Tevita Ratuva, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Samuel Matavesi, 1 Peni Ravai
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Samuela Tawake, 19 Chris Minimbi, 20 Manueli Ratuniyarawa, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Seru Vularika, 23 Waisea Nayacalevu

Date: Saturday, December 5
Venue: Murrayfield
Kick-off: 12:00 GMT
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Sam Grove-White (Scotland), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)