[2014 Mid-Year Test] Fiji vs. Italy. 07/06/14

[LittleGuy]

Fiji vs. Italy. 07/06/14, Kickoff TBA. National Stadium, Suva, Fiji.

Referee: JP Doyle (England)

Fiji play host to Italy this June in what could be a fantastic oppourtunity for them to score a victory over a Tier one side. It will also be a great buildup for the Flying Fijians before their PNC campaign. It seems obvious to bring up but pbviously player availability will be a key factor in this matchup and hopefully both teams will be close to full strength. A big crowd in the national stadium at Suva would be great to see and would hopefully spur further trips by Tier One sides to Fiji and perhaps the other Pacific Island countries.

For Italy this is a chance to get back into form after a disastrous 6N campaign serious questions surround their side leading into the 2015 RWC where they face a pool with four other tough opponents. I wonder whether they will use this a chance to get some younger players capped or whether they'll field a top side looking to build consistency.

Lineups: TBA

 

[Big Ewis]

I feel I've badmouthed Italy too much earlier in the year, so I'll keep it shut. But boy oh boy do they need a good win in this one. I can seriously see them losing this one. At the moment, truth be told, they're at the very, very border of Tier 2, and if not for that good game in Cardiff and their scrum, I'd label them downright as Tier 2 without hesitation. I am actually sorry to admit this, but we must be frank.

Little Guy, did you watch the latest ITA FIJ back in November ?

 

[LittleGuy]

I feel I've badmouthed Italy too much earlier in the year, so I'll keep it shut. But boy oh boy do they need a good win in this one. I can seriously see them losing this one. At the moment, truth be told, they're at the very, very border of Tier 2, and if not for that good game in Cardiff and their scrum, I'd label them downright as Tier 2 without hesitation. I am actually sorry to admit this, but we must be frank.

Little Guy, did you watch the latest ITA FIJ back in November ?

Yeah Italy essentially only won due to all the cards Fiji picked up especially at the point where Fiji were down to 11 guys on the field for about two minutes.

My first instinct is a Fijian victory n this one, but player availability will be a MASSive factor.

 

[Big Ewis]

Yeah Italy essentially only won due to all the cards Fiji picked up especially at the point where Fiji were down to 11 guys on the field for about two minutes.

My first instinct is a Fijian victory n this one, but player availability will be a MASSive factor.

Tryin' get smart with me boy ?!! You gettin' into bad ways, son, lemme tell ya !

Well yeah, my sentiment exactly. I'm never sure who the hell those 3 Pacific Island nations will play in a given tournament, there's always tons of missing players, esp. Fiji. And although Fiji is by no means scary to any Tier 1 nation whatsoever at the moment, as opposed to Samoa for example, I'd actually pick them for this one.

Italy have GOT to make a whitewash out of their tour, or they're not getting recognition any time soon.

 

[LittleGuy]

I'll never forget the image of the extra chair being brought to the sin bin area for that Fijian player to sit on when they had that many guys off, think Italy had a couple of cards as well in their November test.

Agreed on Italy, a good tour could get them back in the conversation, a bad tour and it will be full on panic time in their camp.

 

[RWC2011Fan]

They've also got Samoa in Apia coming up this June. For Italy's sake, I hope they can avoid a repeat of Nelspruit 2013.

 

[Blackdevil]

Fiji Rugby: RUGBY HOUSE - SUVA – May 12, 2014 – The Fiji Rugby Union has announced the extended Vodafone Flying Fijians extended squad in their quest to qualify for the next Rugby World Cup in London in 2015.

Speaking to local media at the Rugby House the newly-appointed Vodafone Flying Fijians Coach John McKee said that the team has been selected on current form and all of the players have expressed a special desire to represent their country with pride.

They extended team is a combination of both 27 overseas-based players and 12 local players and include:

• Jerry Yanuyanutawa – Glasgow Warriors (Scotland)
• Campese Ma'afu - Nottingham (England)
• Sunia Koto - Narbonne (France)
• Tuapati Talemaitoga - Southland (New Zealand)
• Bill Veikoso - Suva
• Isei Colati - Nevers (France)
• Manasa Saulo - Suva
• Setefano Samoca - Nadroga
• Wame Lewaravu - Stade Montois (France)
• Leone Nakarawa - Glasgow Warriors (Scotland)
• Api Ratuniyarawa - Agen (France)
• Rupeni Nasiga - Nadroga
• Dominiko Waqaniburotu - Brive (France)
• Malakai Ravulo - RCJ Farul (Romania)
• Akapusi Qera - Toulouse (France)
• Nemani Nagusa - Nadroga
• Netani Talei - Newport Dragons (Wales)
• Nikola Matawalu - Glasgow Warriors (Scotland)
• Nemia Kenatale - RCJ Farul (Romania)
• Jonetani Ralulu - Nadroga
• Levani Botia - La Rochelle (France)
• Adriu Delai - Tarbes (France)
• Nemani Nadolo - Crusaders (New Zealand)
• Vereniki Goneva - Leicester (England)
• Napolioni Nalaga - Clermont (France)
• Asaeli Tikoirotuma - Chiefs (New Zealand)
• Waisea Nayacalevu - Stade Francais (France)
• Sireli Bobo - La Rochelle (France)
• Metuisela Talebula - Bordeaux (France)
• Timoci Nagusa - Montpellier (France)
• Sione Kolo - Western Force
• Leroy Atalifo - Suva
• Sekonaia Kalou - Nadroga
• Apisai Naikatini - Brive (France)
• Nemia Soqeta - Oyonnax (France)
• Emori Waqa - Tailevu
• Henry Seniloli - Tailevu
• Watisoni Votu - Perpignan (France)
• Samisoni Viriviri - Nadroga

"I have been spending time in the last 3 months in my role as the High Performance Unit (PHU) Manager tracking overseas based players as well as watching local players in the training environment and their individual performances during the Pacific Rugby Cup," McKee mentioned.

Akapusi Qera who currently plays in Toulouse in France was also named Captain of the Vodafone Flying Fijians. Qera was Team Captain last year and to date has a total of 35 full international caps for Fiji.

When asked about his confidence in the selection? McKee said that this squad is a very talented group of players who have the individual and collective ability to achieve great things.

"Fiji must first qualify and it's not wise for us to get ahead of ourselves now, McKee said.

He said the focus for now should be on each of the matches in June and on winning the RWC2015 qualifying match against Cook Islands on the 28th of June at Churchill Park, Lautoka.

"Overseas based players will start arriving from the middle of next week as major European competitions are now ending.

"Super Rugby players arrive on the 1st of June," he added.

McKee is also working on a short-list of Assistants and Managers and will present his recommendations to the Board in the coming week.

"I encourage the rugby public to get behind the Vodafone Flying Fijians, especially for the upcoming matches in June.

"Your support can help lift the team to new levels of performance," McKee concluded. He said the final team of 30 will be named on the 26th of June. - End/s

 

[Big Ewis]

lots of names I recognize in there. Some REALLY good players in there...maybe they can finally look as good as we've all been waiting for them to be. Some SRS talent in there.

 

[Muzzy]

Yeah Fiji have a lot of good names in the squad. But they're lacking in the Fly Half position. Josh Matavesi is injured and Seremaia Bai is focusing on his move to England. Not sure about Alex Rokobaro. The only Fly Half's they have there are Jone Ralulu and Henry Seniloli who's in the extended squad. Talebula can also play there. But looking at the squad it could be a problem since its such a crucial position

 

[Blackdevil]

Bad news Goneva is out, got a knee injury after the 1st training session in Suva

 

[Muzzy]

Fiji Lineup:

1.Campese Ma'afu
2.Tuapati Talemaitoga
3.Manasa Saulo
4.Api Ratuniyarawa
5.Api Naikatini
6.Dominiko Waqaniburotu
7.Akapusi Qera (Captain)
8.Nemani Nagusa
9.Nemia Kenatale
10.Jonetani Ralulu
11.Timoci Naugsa
12.Nemani Nadolo
13.Asaeli Tikoirotuma
14.Napolioni Nalaga
15.Metuisela Talebula

Reserves:
Sunia Koto
Jerry Yanuyanutawa
Isei Coalti
Wame Lewaravu
Malakai Ravulo
Nikola Matawalu
Watisoni Votu
Adriu Delai

Italy Lineup:

15 Luke Mclean
14 Leonardo Sarto
13 Michele Campagnaro
12 Alberto Sgarbi
11 Giovambattista
10 Luciano Orquera
9 Guglielmo Palazzani
8 Manoa Vosawai
7 Mauro Bergamasco
6 Joshua Furno
5 Marco Bortolami
4 Quintin Geldenhuys
3 Lorenzo Cittadini
2 Leonardo Ghiraldini
1 Matias Aguero

Reserves:
16 Davide Giazzon
17 Andrea De Marchi
18 Alberto De Marchi
19 George Fabio Biagi
20 Paul Derbyshire
21 ***o Tebaldi
22 Tommaso Allan
23 Andrea Masi


Interesting that they've put Matawalu and Yanuyanutawa on the bench. I think Matawalu is better than Kenatale, he came off the bench against Italy last year and had a huge impact on the game, maybe their idea is to have them as impact players but thats kinda risky. I hope Ma'afu's scrummaging has improved, otherwise we're in trouble. The starting lineup for the backs is the same as the one that played them last year, except for Ralulu at 10

Bad news Goneva is out, got a knee injury after the 1st training session in Suva

Yeah 12/13 Botia is injured too, Waitisoni Votu has joined as cover

 

[LittleGuy]

Thanks for getting the lineups in Muzzy, I pciked Fiji by three in this one, it was a close game in November and I favour the Flying Fijians at home facing a weaker Italian side. I think Italy were saved in the prior match by all the cards Fiji picked up and I doubt that kind of parade to the sin bin will happen again.

 

[Jaguares]

Fiji by 5-10 points

 

[Jaguares]

Hey buddies, I need a link to see the game, please. Send me a message in my inbox!

 

[Muzzy]

Sent you the link. just saw the Samoa vs Tonga game too which was a 18 - 18 draw

I'm not so confident in Fiji though. Their backline is good but their forwards is where it counts

 

[Jaguares]

Sent you the link. just saw the Samoa vs Tonga game too which was a 18 - 18 draw

I'm not so confident in Fiji though. Their backline is good but their forwards is where it counts

Thanks for the link, bud! Yeah, your forward pack are too inconsistent. I going to change my prediction, Italy by 10

 

[Muzzy]

7-5 to Italy so far. Penalty try to Italy from a scrum, very predictable. idk how they started Ma'afu ahead of Yanuyanutawa, maybe they'll bring him on for the second half

Nadolo scored a great try for Fiji barging through 5 metre's from the line

 

[Jaguares]

Try by Nadolo!

7-5 to Italy so far. Penalty try to Italy from a scrum, very predictable. idk how they started Ma'afu ahead of Yanuyanutawa, maybe they'll bring him on for the second half

Nadolo scored a great try for Fiji barging through 5 metre's from the line

I'm having problems with the link, what about you?

 

[Muzzy]

Try by Nadolo!



I'm having problems with the link, what about you?

its not the best quality but i'm not really having problems with it streaming

Fiji wasted two great opportunities botching two lineouts 5m out from Italy's line. They've really gotta get that lineout sorted, its one thing to get dominated at scrums but they can't afford to have that at lineouts too. They were winning their first few lineouts but the ball from those lineouts was still really sloppy. I hope they bring Matawalu on in the second half. I'm sure once they get some running ball in Italy's 22 they'll be lethal. Its just the set pieces costing them

Italy 7 Fiji 5

 

[Blackdevil]

from what i see both teams are very close