Despite the heavy defeat against England (38-18), last weekend in London, Fiji will present themselves with the same starting XV as against the XV de la Rose on Saturday in Bordeaux to face this time the XV of France. The substitutes’ bench will be slightly different, however.
Mick Byrne repeats the same ones. After the slap received last Saturday (38-18) by Fiji in London against England during the first weekend of this autumn tour and while the Blues by Fabien Galthié. Ultimately it won’t be the case.
Despite the heavy defeat against the English at the Allianz Stadium, the former Australian footballer, strongly contested, will renew against the French the same starting XV as the one he had lined up at the kick-off of the match against the XV de la Rose.
Thus, Caleb Muntz, the flyhalf of Provence Rugby, who plays in Pro D2, will once again be associated with Simione Kuruvoli, the scrum half of the Fijian Drua. In the same way, the former coach of this province involved in Super Rugby Pacific will trust the back to Bordeaux Salesi Rayasi, who will therefore perform at home.
Two changes but on the bench only…
Selestino Ravutaumada and Jiuta Wainiqolo, another resident of the French championship who defends the colors of Toulon, will start again on the wings, while Kalaveti Ravouvou and Josua Tuisova, crowned French champion in the past with the RCT but who now defends the colors of Racing 92, will be associated in the center.
Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata and Viliame Mata, who had already started last Saturday against England, will once again form the third line. Isoa Nasilasila and Temo Mayanavanua will be kept on the second line as well as Tevita Doge, Fijian captain Messake Ikanivere (cap) at the back and Eroni Mawi on the first line.
On the bench, however, changes are to be noted, since Tawake and Murray disappear in favor of Hoyt and Salawa.
Fiji’s starting XV against France:
Rayasi – Ravutauvou, Ravouvou, Tuisova, Wainiqolo – (o) Muntz, (m) Kuruvoli – Canakavata, Mata, Sowakula)
Subs: Togiatama, Hetet, Hoyt, Vocevoce, Salawa, Wye, Armstrong-Ravula, Maqala
