well we seem to have a thread about Samoa and Tonga's squad and chances for the world cup.. so why not Fiji.. post what you think their squad will be and there chances and if you like what there strengths and weakness are in your opinion 
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Fijiiii
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No idea about the majority of Fijiian players but Wame Lewaravu and Sisa Koymaibole are on fire for Sale atm and should be shoe ins - especially Wame, been playing out of his skin the past few games (and has gotten two tries in three games, one of them from 45m or so out)
psychic duck
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Strengths: Centres/Wings
Weaknesses: Front Row
Top players I hope are available to play in the RWC:
Akapusi Qera (star of RWC 07)
Albert Vuli Vuli (his attack, defence and physicality against Wales in the autumn was incredible)
Deacon Manu (not good, but by far the best prop Fiji have)
Gabirieli Lovobalavu (awesome for Toulon)
Isa Nacewa (1 minute of international rugby doesn't justify how good he is)
Napolioni Vonowale Nalaga (if he's still good after what has gone on with his life)
Rupeni Caucaunibuca (no explanation needed)
Seremaia Bai
Sireli Bobo (three cheers for Sireli Bobo!)
Sisa Koyamaibole
Vilimoni Delasau
Bill Cavubati
Weaknesses: Front Row
Top players I hope are available to play in the RWC:
Akapusi Qera (star of RWC 07)
Albert Vuli Vuli (his attack, defence and physicality against Wales in the autumn was incredible)
Deacon Manu (not good, but by far the best prop Fiji have)
Gabirieli Lovobalavu (awesome for Toulon)
Isa Nacewa (1 minute of international rugby doesn't justify how good he is)
Napolioni Vonowale Nalaga (if he's still good after what has gone on with his life)
Rupeni Caucaunibuca (no explanation needed)
Seremaia Bai
Sireli Bobo (three cheers for Sireli Bobo!)
Sisa Koyamaibole
Vilimoni Delasau
Bill Cavubati
psychic duck
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Caucau did play against Australia last year, but it is a bit unfair to select him ahead of fitter more committed players
what would be Fiji's first choice, with everyone available?
for me
15. Nacewa
14. Nalaga
13. Lovobalavu
12. Vuli Vuli
11. Delasau
10. Bai
9. ?
1. ?
2. ?
3. Manu
4. Lewaravu
5. Rawaqa
6. Naevo
7. Qera
8. Koyamaibole
16.
17.
18. Waqaniburotu/Qovu
19. Ravulo
20.
21. Rabeni
22. Bobo
edit: Brumbies prop Jerry Yanuyanutawa has said he wants to play for Fiji in the World Cup but is waiting to hear if he's eligible after he was selected for Australia A but didn't play
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psychic duck
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Fiji need a good kicker, but he is 34, and is third choice fly half at Bristol at the moment
Melhor Time
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Caucau... no chance. Gabrielle Lovobalavu and Alberto Vulivuli are the starting centres with Seru Rabeni and Ropate Ratu being the others in the squad. Delesau could make the squad for wing but again Caucau won´t. Maybe even Bobo won´t.
My starting XV:
1 Graham Dewes (Counties, NZ)
2 Viliame Veikoso (Nadi, FIJ)
3 Deacon Manu (Scarlets, WAL)
4 Wame Lewaravu (Sale, ENG)
5 Jone Qovu (Racing Metro, FRA)
6 Semisi Naevo (Green Rockets, JAP)
7 Akapusi Qera (Gloucester, ENG)
8 Sisa Koyamaibole (Sale, ENG)
9 Nemia Ranuku (Fiji Barbarians, FIJ)
10 Seremaia Bai (Castres, FRA)
11 Napolini Nalaga (no club - fired from Clermont)
12 Gabrielle Lovobalavu (Toulon, FRA)
13 Alberto Vulivuli (Racnig Metro, FRA)
14 Sireli Naqelevuki (Exeter, ENG)
15 Josh Matavesi (Exeter, ENG)
My starting XV:
1 Graham Dewes (Counties, NZ)
2 Viliame Veikoso (Nadi, FIJ)
3 Deacon Manu (Scarlets, WAL)
4 Wame Lewaravu (Sale, ENG)
5 Jone Qovu (Racing Metro, FRA)
6 Semisi Naevo (Green Rockets, JAP)
7 Akapusi Qera (Gloucester, ENG)
8 Sisa Koyamaibole (Sale, ENG)
9 Nemia Ranuku (Fiji Barbarians, FIJ)
10 Seremaia Bai (Castres, FRA)
11 Napolini Nalaga (no club - fired from Clermont)
12 Gabrielle Lovobalavu (Toulon, FRA)
13 Alberto Vulivuli (Racnig Metro, FRA)
14 Sireli Naqelevuki (Exeter, ENG)
15 Josh Matavesi (Exeter, ENG)
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Isa has been kicking very well for Leinster this year when needed if he's on the team he'll kick I think
monkeypigeon
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Why would you not pick Ica Necewa?
Melhor Time
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Personally he´d be on the bench. As you know he can play 10, 12, 15 and wing. For 10 Bai is the better player. For 12 again there are better players. His best bet starting is at 15 but Fiji didn´t pick him in November. I doubt he´ll start as he hasn´t played for Fiji ever excluding a few minutes in RWC 2003. So for me he is on the bench.
Where would you play him?
psychic duck
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Nacewa far far better than Matavesi, but remember there's normally at least one injury somewhere and Nacewa's versatility means he is such a useful player to have in any team's squad
PS: I like you Argentina 2023 website, and I agree that either Argentina or Italy should host 2023, but on your blog please could you tell me how much of an attendance the sort of crowds rugby gets in Argentina, for domestic and international, would Argentines go to the Georgia Italy sort of matches? Also can you add a Pampas XV should be in Super rugby campaign !!! that's all
monkeypigeon
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15 for certain. It's by far his best position and while I see the merits of having a versatile player on the bench I also think it's overrated. If he's good enough he can start. If the guy on the bench can only play full back and a centre goes of injured, then put Necewa centre and the fullback come on at fullback. It does NOT cause anymore disruption.
That said, I've only seen the Exeter twice and both those times there wasn't much he could do to get his team hammered. hard to judge a 15 playing in a team with no ball and never having a chance of being able to defend everything on his own (Exeter are really rubbish whenever i see them).
AfakasiAssasin
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Not sure what Fiji's lineup would look like these days, but one player I would def have in their at half back is Nikola Matawalu. this kid was on fire in last years PNC and I'm stunned that he hasn't picked up a professional contract yet as far as I know. He is only 23 and I feel is def their half back for the forseeable future. Nacewa is a must to start somewhere (I'd slot him in instead of Matavesi at fullback) and I'm hopping to see A fit Caucau in there somewhere to, though I think its unlikely either player will feature for Fiji in this years world cup. I like your squad Melhor with only then changes I mentioned I would make.
ranger
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Fiji must have better options on the wing than Naqelevuki.. One of the Tagicakibau brothers or Henry Speight maybe? James Brown from the Crusader development and Fiji 7s could be a bolter at 6.
Charles
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Yep. He's very very good. He's in the 7's squad now I believe...
Melhor Time
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Thanks for the tip. Indeed Los Pampas XV should be in Super Rugby. A matter of time - hopefully soon. So many of the players are Super Rugby Level. Los Pampas XV are into the semi-finals fo the Vodacom Cup, btw. A win vs Free State (Cheetahs feeding team) today in the Quarter Final. I´ll be putting it up on my blog in the morning - first I need to wait for it to be on youtube!
Attendances for international matches in Argentina are good. Los Pumas play throughout the country and do so for big crowds. Fullhouses or virtual fullhouses in recent years such as in Buenos Aires vs South Africa in 2000 and 2005. vs New Zealand in 2001. vs Ireland in 2007. vs Scotland in 2008. Two stadiums used one with 70,000 seats and the other 50,000. Strong crowds or full all elsewhere. i.e. vs Ireland in Santa Fé in and vs Italy in Mendoza in 2007, vs Scotland in Rosario in 2008, vs England in Salta in 2009, s Scotland in Tucuman in 2010.
Obviously the stadiums are there waiting and ready for RWC 2023! (most have been upgraded for the 2011 Copa America btw). There is info on all of them and others on my blog.
Domestic attendances can be up to 15,000 but considering there are no pro teams this is good. Better than Australia who has hosted a World Cup and has no domestic pro structure whatsoever. The big thing is the URBA Top 14 Final (Buenos Aires Championship) which get great crowds for an amateur final.
About Nacewa and fullback. If he doesn´t make the team for the Pacific Nations Cup and the All Blacks test then he will not be in the starting XV .But I agree he is great and probably should be in the starting XV. The issue is picking a guy who is yet to play for the national side (aside from a few minutes 8 years ago). Is it realistically going to happen?
About the Fijian wingers. Delesau could be back as could Bobo. Bobo scored a great try on the weekend for Racing Metro. He´d certainly be in my RWC squad.
psychic duck
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15,000 for club standard without the best players, that's awesome if true, 50,000-70,000 for internationals, definitely enough interest to host a World Cup, and if a club team can get 15,000 occaissonally, a Super rugby team with a Hernandez or Contepomi could perhaps get 20,000 weekly perhaps? I didn't know that rugby there had done so well whilst being neglected by the IRB for 10 years. The national team must improve quickly (awful in the autumn) though for interest to be maintained and to compete in the Tri Nations (I can picture the Pumas winning at least one game though, by destroying the Australian scrum!), but I'm sure Pampas XV could beat the Lions and the Cheetahs currently though!
does anybody know how healthy rugby is in Fiji currently?
Melhor Time
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Agree, Argentina have not played well recently. On occassions they have been good but the issue has been injuries - an enormous injury count. The star 10-12 combination from France 2007 have not played together since 2008 and only played together for two matches in 2008. Contepomi missed all of 2009 after knee surgery and Hernández missed November 2009 and all of 2010 following back surgery and a thigh injury following his return. The 10-12 combination from November 2009 was 100% amateur. Both players based in Argentina. They did well though, got a win vs Scotland.
Its been similar in a number of Argentina´s positions. Key players have missed loads of rugby for Los Pumas. Vs Ireland in 2008 Argentina had one starting back only. The others were all injured. The backrow for November 2010 was badly depleted. Fernández Lobbe was joined by Argentina based players with others missing.
Even in the front row they have had massive injury counts.
Without saying more than I need to I think its pretty clear that judging Los Pumas on the results since France 2007 are highly problematic as the best XV has not played together at all and many players who will not feature at New Zealand 2011 have played.
