Probable 30 man squad for Fiji

[WhoDaresWin]

Now, before I list down what I believe will be the final RWC squad, I would just like to state for the record here that I have never been and probably never will be a fan of current Flying Fijians coach Sam Domoni Jnr.
Such a clueless fool who doesnt know anything about coaching, team selection, gameplans & gamestyles. Relies heavily on his Aussie buddies (Asst. coaches Shannon Fraser, Greg Mumm & Michael Foley) to do his tasks.

Two grudges I have against him - apart from others - is firstly, his tendency to select players based on reputation rather than on form. Second thing is reliance on players based overseas (mainly in Europe) and not the ones who are proving themselves in the local comp.
Yes, our local comp is nothing compared to the Top14, etc.... but one or two local players deserve the chance to be in the squad.

Anyways, by looking at the way this clueless coach has been working, this is likely the 30 member squad he will select for the RWC....barring injuries of course.

Forwards:
Campese Ma'afu, Graeme Dewes, Setefano Somoca, Deacon Manu [C]
Sunia Koto, Talemaitoga Tuapati, Viliame Veikoso
Ifereimi Rawaqa, Wame Lewaravu, Rupeni Nasiga, Sekonaia Kalou
Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Akapusi Qera, Malakai Ravulo, Sakiusa Matadigo, Sisa Koyamaibole

Backs:
Nemia Kenatale, Vitori Buatava, Waisale Vatuvoka
Nicky Little, Waisea Luveniyali
Seremaia Bai, Ravai Fatiaki, Albert Vulivuli, Gaby Lovobalavu
Napolioni Nalaga, Vereniki Goneva, Ilikena Bolakoro, Timoci Nagusa
Iliesa Keresoni

 

[M Two One]

What changes would you make to this possible squad?

 

[Muzzy]

Sam Domoni had an almost entirely local based team in 2009 and 2010, i'm glad he's brought in so many overseas based players this year coz usually fiji doesn't get to have all these top players.

i think Nakarawa should be in the team though, Nakarawa's form was amazing, did he get injured? two other players i hope will be in there are Netani Talei, Naqelevuki and Ratuvou.

Fiji really need a good fullback, Taniela Rawaqa was good against Samoa, Keresoni's running game was good against Japan but he cost Fiji a try against NZ, he was out of position against NZ too when Slade and another player kicked the ball into Fiji's 22 and scored. Ratuvou was pretty good as a fullback for Fiji in the 2007 world cup so maybe they should try these two at fullback. I didn't think Murimurivalu had a good game at fullback when they played Tonga, and now i see they've named him as their fullback again to play Tonga

 

[Darwin]

Sam Domoni had an almost entirely local based team in 2009 and 2010, i'm glad he's brought in so many overseas based players this year coz usually fiji doesn't get to have all these top players.

i think Nakarawa should be in the team though, Nakarawa's form was amazing, did he get injured? two other players i hope will be in there are Netani Talei, Naqelevuki and Ratuvou.

Fiji really need a good fullback, Taniela Rawaqa was good against Samoa, Keresoni's running game was good against Japan but he cost Fiji a try against NZ, he was out of position against NZ too when Slade and another player kicked the ball into Fiji's 22 and scored. Ratuvou was pretty good as a fullback for Fiji in the 2007 world cup so maybe they should try these two at fullback. I didn't think Murimurivalu had a good game at fullback when they played Tonga, and now i see they've named him as their fullback again to play Tonga

Nakarawa is a member of the Fijian army. New Zealand's sanctions against the Fijian military mean that members of the military are prevented from entering New Zealand, so Nakawara won't be able to come.

​

 

[WhoDaresWin]

What changes would you make to this possible squad?

As Rawaqa is now injury prone, best to leave him out of the squad and bring in Jimilai Naikadawa - a livewire 'fetcher' in the same mould as Pocock. Waqaniburotu can cover as locks.

Buatava takes too long to pass from the base of the rucks. Waits until the opposition defence is set, then passes the ball...kills the momentum of our running game. Would have preferred Emosi Vucago or Kelemedi Bola.

As mentioned by Muzzy, we really need a good fullback, and one player who's been perfoming exceptionally well week-in week-out is Mitieli Nacagilevu. One of the stars for the national 7s team this season and now a standout player during the Farebrother Trophy defence for his provincial team. {for those not knowing, the Farebrother Trophy challenge is similar to the NZ version of the Ranfurly shield}. Defence is excellent and his counter-attacks is breath-takingly beautiful to watch.
Ratuvou is still recovering from a knee injury (I think???) and Naqelevuki is concentrating on club duties with Exeter Chiefs.

 

[big ginger 8]

Fiji really need a good fullback,

They have one of the best in the world pity he won't play for them.

 

[Muzzy]

Waisea Daveta

They have one of the best in the world pity he won't play for them.

and to make it worse their other best fullback Matavesi opted out to play for his club

Fiji RWC Squad:

Props:

Deacon Manu (c), Setefano Somoca, Campese Ma'afu, Waisea Daveta

Hookers:

Tuapati Taleimaitoga, Sunia Koto, Viliame Veikoso

Locks:

Sekonaia Kalou, Leone Nakarawa, Wame Lewaravu, Rupeni Nasiga

Loose Forwards:

Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Sisa Koyamaibole, Akapusi Qera, Netani Talei, Masi Matadigo, Malakai Ravulo

Half Backs:

Vitori Buatava, Nemaia Kenatale

Fly Halfs:

Waisea Luveniyali, Seremaia Bai, Nicky Little

Centres:

Albert Vulivuli, Gabriel Lovobalavu, Ravai Fatiaki,

Wingers:

Vereniki Goneva, Napolioni Nalaga, Michael Tagicakibau

Fullbacks:

Kini Murimurivalu, Iliesa Keresoni

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Muzzy, are you happy with this squad? You must be pretty disgusted at the lack of commitment shown by some of Fiji's first choice players making themselves unavailable to concentrate on their club rugby. TBH I dont know why they keep callin for Isa Nacewa, he never has and I doubt ever will be interested in playing for Fiji again since playing 2 mins in 2003.

 

[WhoDaresWin]

TBH I dont know why they keep callin for Isa Nacewa, he never has and I doubt ever will be interested in playing for Fiji again since playing 2 mins in 2003.

from what I can gather, the current management made an enquiry on his availability and he declined. That was the last time they contacted him.

I remember coach Domoni saying that they wont bother approaching players who are not committed to the cause.....something I agree with.

As for the final 30 member squad, I'm a bit happy that Nagusa didnt make the cut as he has been in poor form along with Dewes.... Ifereimi Rawaqa has a dodgy knee and I'm not too sure on why Bolakoro was never seen again after his powerful perfomance against Samoa in the PNC.

Netani Talei was awesome against Tonga and looks set to cement the No.6 spot as his own thus probably pushing Waqaniburotu into the second row.

 

[Muzzy]

hey whodares, can you tell me what Koyamaibole was yellow carded for?

 

[WhoDaresWin]

hey whodares, can you tell me what Koyamaibole was yellow carded for?

Fiji had already been warned for repeated infringements in the rucks....from slo-mo replays, Koyamaibole had gone into the tackle and stolen the ball legally, but the ref ruled that the ruck had formed...one of those 50-50 calls, but since this happened in Fiji's 22 and there was already a team warning, the ref had no option but to show him the card.