Fiji squad named for November Tests

[Shaggy]

The Fijian squad has been named for the November Internationals as per the article below ... lots of UK and French based players as expected

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/fiji-squad-named-for-november-tests-20101012-16ghy.html

Fiji manager Sam Domoni on Monday announced his 30-man squad for November's rugby union Tests against France, Italy and Wales.

Domoni has called on players based with clubs in England, Wales, France, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji.

Fiji's tour kicks off with France in Nantes on November 13 in the first meeting between the two sides since the group stages of the 2003 World Cup when France prevailed 61-18.

Fiji then face Wales on November 19 in Cardiff and Italy in Modena on November 27.

Fiji squad

Forwards (16): Graham Dewes (Counties Manaukau/NZL), Campese Mafu (West Harbour/AUS), Tuapati Talemaitoga (Southland/NZL), Viliame Veikoso (Nadi), Setefano Somoca (Nadroga), Deacon Manu (Llanelli Scarlets/WAL), Vesi Rarawa (Naitasiri), Ifereimi Rawaqa (Shokky/JPN), Wame Lewaravu (Sale/ENG), Dominiko Waqaniburotu (Waikato/NZL), Semisi Naevo (Green Rockets/JPN), Malakai Ravulo (North Harbour/NZL), Akapusi Qera (Gloucester/ENG), Jimilai Naikadawa (Naitasiri), Sisa Koyamaibole (Sale/ENG), Jone Qovu (Racing-Metro/FRA)

Backs (14): Nemia Kenatale (Tailevu), Seveci Taka (Nadroga), Josh Matavesi (Exeter/ENG), Taniela Rawaqa (Lautoka), Seru Rabeni (La Rochelle/FRA), Seremaia Bai (Castres/FRA), Ropate Ratu (Aurillac/FRA), Saula Radidi (Dax/FRA), Michael Tagicakibau (Saracens/ENG), Napolioni Nalaga (Clermont/FRA), Vereniki Goneva (Colomiers/FRA), Sireli Naqelevuki (Exeter/ENG), Norman Ligairi (La Rochelle/FRA), Kameli Ratuvou (Saracens/ENG)

 

[Draggs]

No Caucau
Looking forward to playing Fiji this year, we have them in out group for next years RWC (lets just hope its not a repeat of 07...)

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Sisa and Wame in from Sale
Both on good form, though Sisa looks like he spends a fair amount of time in the tuck shop.
Lethal off the back of a scrum, especially when fairly close to the try line

 

[ranger]

Looks pretty weak really.

 

[LittleGuy]

I'm interested in the Fiji vs. Italy match up the two teams are close in the world rankings, this isn't the best squad Fiji can field but I still think it has a chance to win that game.

 

[Charles]

Looks pretty weak really.

Agreed.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

I thought Nacewa said he'd play for from Fiji this season onwards>

 

[Charles]

I thought Nacewa said he'd play for from Fiji this season onwards>

They don't want him cos he's a traitor.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Nacewa was born and raised in NZ, has a Kiwi mother and stupidly played 2 minutes for Fiji in the 2003 World Cup due to ancestral links (his father I think). He's said multiple times that he regretted making that call. Wouldn't it be hypocritical for him to play for Fiji seeing as he has no affinity to the country?

For the record I think he's making a mistake turning down a chance to play international rugby but to each their own.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Didn't he get lawyers involved and the such to try and get him playing for NZ?
I agree, it'd be hyprocritical to play for Fiji after trying so hard to discount his fiji cap and play for the All Blacks

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

As far as I recall he unsuccessfully lobbied the iRB to get his 2 minute cameo rescinded.

 

[Darwin]

Not the strongest Fijian squad I've seen. Good to see North Harbour's Malakai Ravulo in the loose-forward mix - can't see him starting ahead of Qera, but he could be a really good impact player from the bench. Surprised to see Norman Ligairi still in the squad, as he's certainly getting on a bit in years for an outside back (he will be 35 in January). Can't say I watch any French rugby so can't really comment on his form - I'm assuming he must still be playing some good rugby, given Fiji typically has an abundance of talented outside back options.

 

[Muzzy]

its not that weak, its a lot better than the team that played against australia and in the PNC this year. but idk wtf they were thinking with the halfbacks Kenatale and Taka, Bola and Matawalu were great for Fiji in the PNC they were the answer to Fiji's problem with replacing Rauluni but now neither of them is in the team, instead its Kenatale and Taka who are both useless. Last time i saw Taka playing he didn't even have a left pass, i'm not joking he's a halfback and he couldn't pass with his left hand i don't understand it man, i can only assume both Bola and Matawalu were unavailable. If Kenatale and Taka are both still as bad as they were when i last saw them then it doesn't look good for Fiji

disappointed to see Delasau and Kunavore aren't in the team either, maybe Tolouse prevented Delasau from playing coz they're so short on wingers which is why the resorted to hiring Caucau. don't know why Kunavore isn't in it though.

the loose forwards look good, Qovu, Qera, Koyamaibole and Ravulo are all good players, appart from Yalayalatabua missing its fiji's best front row available, its possible Yalayalatabua couldn't play coz of his relatives in the Fiji Military

two big blows to the team however is Waqaniburotu got injured last week so he's out of the team and Kameli Ratuvou won't be in the team coz he wants to go to university instead

Waqaniburotu is replaced by Otago's Qaranaqio and Ratuvou is replaced by Racing Metro's Vulivuli

http://www.fijirugby.com/pages.cfm/...10&news=waqaniburotu-ratuvou-miss-europe-tour

the backs are ok, its good they've got Seremaia Bai and i'm looking forward to seeing Nalaga, Radidi is also a good upcoming player. it could have been better with the likes of Ratuvou and Delasau and the halfbacks Bola and Matawalu. Also Matavesi sucks, he's only 21 though so he has potential for the future but right now he sucks. i think Naevo is getting too old too he should retire from international rugby, as for Ligairi he's been in decent from for his club, but he's been playing on the wing and he plays a lot better as a winger. i just hope to god he's learnt how to aim his kicks this time, usually all he ever does is aimlessly boot the ball high in the air, other teams often take advantage of Fiji's poor tactical kicking, but hopefully Bai and Rabeni can sort this out

about Nacewa i think its a real shame they couldn't over turn that rule for him since he only played 3 minutes, he was a real promising player and would probably be the back up to Dan Carter right now. But i reckon now he should just play for Fiji anyway, if he ever wants to get real game time in a world cup he should just let it go and play for Fiji coz theres no way he's ever gonna get that with NZ now, hell even if they did over turn the rule he probably wouldn't even make the team now so he should just play for Fiji

 

[Charles]

Muzzy

Agree on the half back pairing. Matawalu is great. I had the chance to get to know him, and he's a very talented player but most of all he's extremely smart, which is probably what you want at 9 or 10.

Kunavore hasn't played for ages because of a big heart related medical problem...I think his carreer is over sadly.

Vulivuli for Ratuvou is not too bad I think. Nalaga hasn't been all that flash this season but Bai is very good, as always. He's probably the most "Northern Hemisphere" fijian player. Always cool, composed, nothing flash but no mistakes. I think he'll be able to give a bit of direction to the team, playing the territoty etc...

Sadly you guys will probably get smashed in the set-pieces as usual. If I was the Fiji Rugby Union I'd do a coach exchange for 6months/1 year; send a backs coach to Argentina/Romania/Georgia, get a forwards coach.

 

[Muzzy]

oh man thats real sad to hear about Kunavore

i just realized Matawalu isn't in the team because he's also got relatives in the Fiji Military, this was why he couldn't play against Australia either, it looks like Kelemedi Bola must have relatives in the military too, so that means Fiji can't have their best halfbacks unless they're playing in the PNC or the World Cup where the IRB makes sure they have to let these players play.

man this rule is f*ckin ridiculous just because they've got relatives in the military?? it doesn't make sense and its not helping anyone, its only hurting fiji rugby

Fiji do have a forwards coach for this tour now, Greg Mumm who's the brother of Wallabie lock Dean Mumm, Greg Mumm helped coach Fiji's forwards in the 2007 world cup and he did a great job so hopefully he can do the same for them again

Fiji's forwards looked a lot better this year, it was their backs that didn't look as good, their scrum has gotten a lot better but they'll probably have problems in the lineout as they usually do. Waqaniburotu has been great in the lineout for Waikato so hopefully when he comes back from injury he can help solve this.

 

[Shaggy]

oh man thats real sad to hear about Kunavore

i just realized Matawalu isn't in the team because he's also got relatives in the Fiji Military, this was why he couldn't play against Australia either, it looks like Kelemedi Bola must have relatives in the military too, so that means Fiji can't have their best halfbacks unless they're playing in the PNC or the World Cup where the IRB makes sure they have to let these players play.

man this rule is f*ckin ridiculous just because they've got relatives in the military?? it doesn't make sense and its not helping anyone, its only hurting fiji rugby

Fiji do have a forwards coach for this tour now, Greg Mumm who's the brother of Wallabie lock Dean Mumm, Greg Mumm helped coach Fiji's forwards in the 2007 world cup and he did a great job so hopefully he can do the same for them again

Fiji's forwards looked a lot better this year, it was their backs that didn't look as good, their scrum has gotten a lot better but they'll probably have problems in the lineout as they usually do. Waqaniburotu has been great in the lineout for Waikato so hopefully when he comes back from injury he can help solve this.

Unfortunately, it looks like he won't tour

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/fiji-captain-to-miss-europe-tour-20101022-16whl.html