Fiji coach John McKee has named his team to play England in the Rugby World Cup opening match at Twickeham Stadium, London on Friday.
Fiji have been able to include Crusaders winger Nemani Nadolo who missed the Pacific Nations Cup which Fiji were crowned champions.
McKee’s backline will be controlled by former Waratah and Super Rugby winner Ben Volavola.
“I am very pleased to be able to announce a very strong line-up for the opening match of RWC2015,” said McKee. “We have come through a very good preparation phase and are ready to move into the competition.
“All our players are fit and available for selection,” McKee added.
“England is a very strong team and will be a difficult opponent at Twickenham. We are looking forward to the challenge of this opening game.
“Our players have trained and played well throughout our preparation and must now step up to the high level and intensity we expect on Friday evening and throughout our Pool Matches, “McKee concluded.
Fiji: 1 Campese Ma’afu, 2 Sunia Koto, 3 Manasa Saulo, 4 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 7 Akapusi Qera (Captain), 8 Sakiusa Masi Matadigo, 9 Nikola Matawalu, 10 Ben Volavola, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 12 Gabiriele Lovobalavu, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 14 Waisea Nayacalevu, 15 Metuisela Talebula
Replacements: 16 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Isei Colati, 19 Tevita Cavubati, 20 Peceli Yato, 21 Nemia Kenatale, 22 Joshua Matavesi, 23 Aseli Tikoirotuma.
rugbyweek
GO FIJI! Especially hoping to see good games from Leone Nakarawa and Magic Matawalu (Fiji’s Hougie) although think conditions won’t be ideal for them to show off the very best of their talents.
Nice interviews between Magic Matawalu and Nemani Nadolo:
Look at the Magic of Matawalu, such a good player and a really cool chilled out bloke:
@Bullscott
Didn’t Argentina beat France in the opening match in 2007?
Will be quite a shock if Fiji can pull off a win tomorrow though, will rock the WC on opening night already 😀
4 @ nortie:
Hi nortie yes that’s right and it would be great if Fiji could do that. Have liked them for a while, especially more so form when Michael Jones was their coach, now they have Nakarawa and Matawalu in the team who have done so well for Glasgow I support them as my 3rd team at this Cup, just a pity Matawalu has now moved on to Bath.
@ Bullscot:
Ndolo has been just fantastic for the Crusaders in SR
The guy is a monster with the deftest touch to boot.
Eng just need to make sure it’s a structured game and they should be too good, but if you want to play loose against them, well, then I guess anything can happen
@ nortie:
Not seen much of him but heard he is so good. Fijian players can be so exciting to watch really skillful just a pity think there could be showers about tomorrow evening so this may favour England in making it harder for Fiji to get their fast offloading game going
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