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Fiji World Cup squad reduced

psychic duck

psychic duck

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deacon_sam.jpg

Fiji captain Deacon Manu (left) with coach Samu Domoni (right)


​
Fiji have reduced their World Cup squad to 35 following the conclusion of the Pacific Nations Cup.

Nicky Little is in line to make his fourth World Cup and is the only survivor from 1999, there are 10 survivors from the 2007 World Cup squad.

There is controversy surrounding lock Leone Nakarawa's selection, as Fiji is currently under military rule and the New Zealand government say that no people with links to the regime can enter the country, Nakarawa is a current army officer.

The players who have been didn't make the squad from the 50 man squad are Graham Dewes, Manasa Saulo, Tevita Cavubati, Samu Bola, Josefa Domolailai, Jimilai Naikadawa, Asaeli Boko, Kelemedi Bola, Seru Rabeni, Kameli Ratuvou, Timoci Matanavou, Sireli Naqelevuki, Michael Tagicakibau, Apisalome Waqatabu and Taniela Rawaqa.

The main surprises from those left out are Seru Rabeni who was one of the stars of the 2007 team, but the Fiji management have preferred Ravai Fatiaki and utility back Adriu Delai to him, it has been suggested the Fiji management were not happy about his ill discipline against Japan and that is the reason for his omission. The omission of Saracens' Michael Tagicakibau and Kameli Ratuvou could be due to their injuries sustained last season, but it's unclear whether they were dropped or left out due to injury. Timoci Matanavou who was given the Midi Olympique Oscar for best player in France's ProD2 last season is also left out or he pulled out to focus on playing for his new team Toulouse like Delasau and Caucaunibuca did. Graham Dewes is also makes way for Waisea Daveta.

Fiji assistant coach Gregg Mumm said “These players were chosen based on their form during the Pacific Rugby Cup and the Pacific Nations Cup. Irrespective of past history and background of players we are looking at players who can perform at the World Cup and again contribute to the game we want to play and we believe these players have proven themselves with their performances so far.â€

Asaeli Boko and Metuisela Talebula are in the squad for the two match pre World Cup Punjas Test Series against Tonga but not in the actual squad.

Fiji will play New Zealand on the 22nd of July and then play the aforementioned Punjas Test Series against Tonga before the World Cup.

Fiji 35 man provisional World Cup squad (likeley starters in bold)

 
Shocked about Rabeni; thought he was a shoe-in for the match day squads.
 
I would not have picked Rabeni myself. Far bigger worries than his ommision. Just looking at the wingers is illustrative. Ilikena Bolakoro and Vereniki Goneva would struggle to make the Top 5 Fijian wingers in France but both are in the squad. Of course Vilimoni Delasau, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Josh Matavesi and Sireli Bobo all withdrew from RWC contention but none of them are in my suggested squad either.

Seriously questionable Fijian squad as I see it.

My squad would have been as follows:

Starting XV:
1 Graham Dewes (Counties, New Zealand)
2 Sunia Koto (Narbonne, France)
3 Deacon Manu (Scarlets, Wales)
4 Wame Lewaravu (Sale, England)
5 Ifereimi Rawaqa (Toyota Shokki, Japan)
6 Rupeni Nasiga (Nadroga)
7 Akapusi Qera (Gloucester, England)
8 Sakiusa Matadigo (Montpellier, France)
9 Nemia Nemia Kenatale Ranuku (Tailevu)
10 Seremaia Baïkeinuku (Castres, France)
11 Napolini Nalaga (Police)
12 Gabrielle Lovobalavu (Toulon, France)
13 Alberto Vulivuli (Racing Metro, France)
14 Timoci Magusa (Montpellier, France)
15 Taniela Rawaqa (Lautoka)

Reserves: 16 Viliame Veikoso (Nadi), 17 Campese Ma'afu (Eastern Suburbs, Australia), 18 Sekonaia Kalou (Otago, New Zealand), 19 Sisa Koyamaibole (Lyon, France), 20 Seveci Takamaiwai (Suva), 21 Nicky Little (Fiji), 22 Michael Tagicakibau(Saracens, England)

Additional Players: 23 Talemaitoga Tuapati (Southland, New Zealand), 24 Penijamini Makutu (Counties, New Zealand), 25 Josefa Domolailai (Bobigny, France), 26 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (Waikato, New Zealand), 27 Malakai Ravulo (North Harbour, New Zealand), 28 Waisale Vatuvoka (Lautoka), 29 Waisea Luveniyali (London Welsh, England), 30 Sireli Naqelevuki (Exeter Chiefs, England).
 
Surprised that guys like Rabeni are being ommitted. It leaves a big gap in experience in the backline. Fullback options don't look too great.
 
Melhor Time said:
I would not have picked Rabeni myself. Far bigger worries than his ommision. Just looking at the wingers is illustrative. Ilikena Bolakoro and Vereniki Goneva would struggle to make the Top 5 Fijian wingers in France but both are in the squad. Of course Vilimoni Delasau, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Josh Matavesi and Sireli Bobo all withdrew from RWC contention but none of them are in my suggested squad either.

Seriously questionable Fijian squad as I see it.

My squad would have been as follows:

Starting XV:
1 Graham Dewes (Counties, New Zealand)
2 Sunia Koto (Narbonne, France)
3 Deacon Manu (Scarlets, Wales)
4 Wame Lewaravu (Sale, England)
5 Ifereimi Rawaqa (Toyota Shokki, Japan)
6 Rupeni Nasiga (Nadroga)
7 Akapusi Qera (Gloucester, England)
8 Sakiusa Matadigo (Montpellier, France)
9 Nemia Nemia Kenatale Ranuku (Tailevu)
10 Seremaia Baïkeinuku (Castres, France)
11 Napolini Nalaga (Police)
12 Gabrielle Lovobalavu (Toulon, France)
13 Alberto Vulivuli (Racing Metro, France)
14 Timoci Magusa (Montpellier, France)
15 Taniela Rawaqa (Lautoka)

Reserves: 16 Viliame Veikoso (Nadi), 17 Campese Ma'afu (Eastern Suburbs, Australia), 18 Sekonaia Kalou (Otago, New Zealand), 19 Sisa Koyamaibole (Lyon, France), 20 Seveci Takamaiwai (Suva), 21 Nicky Little (Fiji), 22 Michael Tagicakibau(Saracens, England)

Additional Players: 23 Talemaitoga Tuapati (Southland, New Zealand), 24 Penijamini Makutu (Counties, New Zealand), 25 Josefa Domolailai (Bobigny, France), 26 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (Waikato, New Zealand), 27 Malakai Ravulo (North Harbour, New Zealand), 28 Waisale Vatuvoka (Lautoka), 29 Waisea Luveniyali (London Welsh, England), 30 Sireli Naqelevuki (Exeter Chiefs, England).
Click to expand...

Toulouse have stolen 3 of Fiji's wingers! Matanavou, Caucaunibuca and Delasau plus Bobo and Nacewa pulled out

I don't rate Matavesi, I don't know why people think he's good, he's an Exeter Chiefs reserve and hardly started a game for them (apart from LV Cup), and was rubbish when I saw him play against Scotland in 2009

Regarding your team selection Melhor, Koyamaibole is much better than Matadigo, and did you forget Murimurivalu of Clermont or did you not put him in the squad? because he should be there, he was a revelation for Clermont last season

Campese Ma'afu at prop for Fiji should be a worry for them, he was pants in the Autumn internationals at scrum time

Malakai Ravulo was immense against Wales in the autumn and I expect him to be attracting NH scouts during the World Cup
 
psychic duck said:
Toulouse have stolen 3 of Fiji's wingers! Matanavou, Caucaunibuca and Delasau plus Bobo and Nacewa pulled out

I don't rate Matavesi, I don't know why people think he's good, he's an Exeter Chiefs reserve and hardly started a game for them (apart from LV Cup), and was rubbish when I saw him play against Scotland in 2009

Regarding your team selection Melhor, Koyamaibole is much better than Matadigo, and did you forget Murimurivalu of Clermont or did you not put him in the squad? because he should be there, he was a revelation for Clermont last season

Campese Ma'afu at prop for Fiji should be a worry for them, he was pants in the Autumn internationals at scrum time

Malakai Ravulo was immense against Wales in the autumn and I expect him to be attracting NH scouts during the World Cup
Click to expand...

The Toulouse wingers wouldn´t make my team either.

Matavesi.. would have made my 30 but not match day 22.

Koyamaibole is a bigger name than Matadigo but on form loses his place to the Montpellier 8. When making selections I try to be as updated as possible. Picking on reputation for World Cup´s is a no-no. Matadigo is not the same player but had a much better season than Koyamaibole and, importantly, has more speed.

Murimurivalu was good for Clermont when he played which was not very often. I went for Sireli Naqelevuki over him.
 
Melhor Time said:
The Toulouse wingers wouldn´t make my team either.
Click to expand...

Caucau would make my team, despite his numerous issues he was in good form for Toulouse at the end of the season, Matanavou won the Midi Olympique Oscar for best player in ProD2 so surely that puts his form ahead of Goneva

Matavesi.. would have made my 30 but not match day 22.

Melhor Time said:
Koyamaibole is a bigger name than Matadigo but on form loses his place to the Montpellier 8. When making selections I try to be as updated as possible. Picking on reputation for World Cup´s is a no-no. Matadigo is not the same player but had a much better season than Koyamaibole and, importantly, has more speed.
Click to expand...

I didn't see a lot of Koyamaibole this season for Sale, but I saw a bit in the 2009/10 season and he was good, and he did well in the Autumn Internationals. When I saw Matadigo play for Montpellier in the Top 14 final I wasn't that impressed to be honest as well

Melhor Time said:
Murimurivalu was good for Clermont when he played which was not very often. I went for Sireli Naqelevuki over him.
Click to expand...

Murimurivalu was in the team from when Nalaga left and was awesome for Clermont and in fact was named by Rugbyrama.fr as Clermont's revelation of the season, and if you're going by game time, Tagicakibau is behind Short, Strettle and Wyles at Saracens and you would of had Matavesi in the squad with far less game time in poorer side than Clermont or Saracens. Murimurivalu is far more skilled than Naqelevuki who is simply a big lump and no more, better suited to inside centre where he plays for Exeter to be honest.

http://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/top-14/2010-2011/muri-sort-de-l-ombre_sto2822979/story.shtml


My Fiji team

15. Murimurivalu
14. Nalaga
13. Vulivuli
12. Lovobalavu
11. Matanavou/Nagusa
10. Bai
9. Kenatale
1. Dewes
2. Koto
3. Manu
4. Lewaravu
5. Rawaqa
6. ???
7. Ravulo/Qera
8. Koyamaibole
 

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