Fiji team: Jake White era underway as ex-Springbok boss names four uncapped players for latest Eddie Jones showdown
Bulls head coach Jake White.
Fiji head coach Jake White has named his first 23-man squad for their upcoming Test against Japan, with four uncapped players included.
This Test will be White’s first as Fiji boss after being handed the reins earlier this month, and begins their preparations for November’s Nations Championship Tests against France, Ireland and Italy.
It is also the first time the teams have faced each other since Japan beat Fiji in September’s Pacific Nations Cup final, with the Brave Blossoms securing a 20-15 victory to claim the title. The two sides also come into the Test sat ninth and tenth in the World Rugby rankings, respectively, with just 0.47 points between them.
Jake White names four uncapped men in maiden Fiji team
White has named a new-look squad for the Test at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo, with uncapped trio Nacani Boginisoko and Aporosa Vuniyayawa in the starting XV while Peni Naruma and Kavekini Boselawa could also win their Test debuts off the bench.
Boginisoko features in a back-three combination alongside full-back Issac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and fellow winger Joji Nasova, while Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Isikeli Rabitu get the nod in midfield. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula starts at fly-half, with Terio Tamani partnering him at scrum-half.
Motikiai Murray and Kitione Salawa join the uncapped Vuniyayawa in the back-row, with Isoa Nasilsila and Mesake Vocevoce in the locks. Inoke Ravuiwasa and Peni Ravai join captain Tevita Ikanivere in the front-row.
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
The uncapped Naruma and Boselawa also join Kavais Tagivetaua, Meli Tuni, Mesake Doge, Vilive Miramira, Frank Lomani and Ben Volavola on the bench.
Fiji team v Japan in full
Starting XV: 15 Issac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Nacani Boginisoko, 13 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 12 Isikeli Rabitu, 11 Joji Nasova, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Terio Tamani, 8 Motikiai Murray, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Aporosa Vuniyayawa, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Inoke Ravuiwasa, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (c), 1 Peni Ravai
Replacements: 16 Kavais Tagivetaua, 17 Meli Tuni, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Vilive Miramira, 20 Peni Naruma, 21 Frank Lomani, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Kavekini Boselawa
Date: Saturday, 24 October, 2026
Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
Kick-off: 14:50 local, 17:50 FJT, 18:50 NZDT, 16:50 AEDT
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant referees: Reuben Keane (RA) and Morgan White (HKCR)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
FPRO: Matt Rodden (HKCR)
READ MORE: Fiji’s Jake White gamble: The risks and rewards of hiring the ex-Springboks boss
