Uruguay and Fiji set to do battle

Uruguay will host the Fiji Warriors – the national ‘A’ side – on Saturday at Estadio Charrúa in the first of two matches set to take place between the two sides. The arrival of the Fijians follows on last year’s nearly identical tour that saw the Warriors win both matches in Montevideo by scores of 30-22 and 42-22.

Los Teros have named the majority of their victorious South American ‘A’ Championship side in their match day 23 for the opening game. Juan Manuel Gaminara will captain the team that includes 11 World Cup participants and only one new cap, Trébol winger Sebastián Schroeder who has previously played for the national sevens team.

Six of the team that started in the 47-15 loss to Fiji’s senior side in the World Cup are present – Gaminara, Carlos Arboleya, Alejandro Nieto, Rodrigo Silva, Andrés Vilaseca, and Joaquín Prada. On the bench that day were Mateo Sanguinetti, Mathias Palomeque, and Germán Kessler.

The Warriors are themselves coming off a victorious campaign in the Pacific Rugby Challenge. Included are two members of Fiji’s World Cup side, captain and prop Peni Ravai and scrumhalf Henry Seniloli. The pair are the only fully capped players in the 28-man touring squad.

Returning players from last year’s tour include prop Joeli Veitayaki, hooker Jale Sassen, lock Mataiasi Ucutabua, and loose forward Johnny Dyer. In the backs there is scrumhalf Serupepeli Vularika, flyhalf Kitione Ratu, midfielder Saimoni Tuilaucala, and wingers Lepani Raiyala and Nacani Wakaya.

Saturday’s match kicks off at 3:30pm local time and will be broadcast on DirecTV

URUGUAY

FORWARDS
Diego Arbelo (Círculo), Carlos Arboleya (Trébol), Mateo Sanguinetti (Los Cuervos), Ignacio Secco (Trébol), Facundo Gattas (Lobos), Germán Kessler (Los Cuervos), Ignacio Dotti (Los Cuervos), Diego Magno (Montevideo Cricket Club), Mathias Palomeque (Trébol), Fernando Bascou (Pucaru Stade Gaulois), Gonzalo Campomar (Carrasco Polo), Juan Manuel Gaminara (capt., Old Boys), Alejandro Nieto (Champagnat), Gonzalo Soto (Carrasco Polo)

BACKS
Facundo Klappenbach (Champagnat), Guillermo Lijtenstein (Trébol), Martín Secco (Los Cuervos), Joaquín Prada (Los Cuervos), Andrés Vilaseca (Old Boys), Nicolás Freitas (Carrasco Polo), Sebastián Schroeder (Trébol), Santiago Martínez (Carrasco Polo), Rodrigo Silva (Carrasco Polo)

FIJI WARRIORS

FORWARDS
Mesake Doge (Naitasiri), Osea Naganilau (Suva), Peni Ravai (capt., Nadroga), Asaeli Sorovaki (Nadroga), Joeli Veitayaki (Police), Jale Sassen (Suva), Samu Suguturaga (Suva), Sailosi Dawai (Nadroga), Mesulame Kunavula (Nadroga), Kelepi Naimasi (Namosi), Mataiasi Ucutabua (Naitasiri), Johnny Dyer (Vatukoula), Joseva Levula (Suva), Vasikali Mudu (Nadroga), Eremasi Radrodro (Nadroga), Mosese Voka (Suva)

BACKS
Henry Seniloli (Tailevu), Serupepeli Vularika (Suva), Alivereti Mocelutu (Tailevu), Nemani Raiwalui (Nadroga), Kitione Ratu (Vatukoula), Frederick Hickes (Nadi), Cyril Reece (Nadi), Saimoni Tuilaucala (Vatukoula), Meli Nakarawa (Vatukoula), Isaia Nataba (Nadroga), Lepani Raiyala (Vatukoula), Nacani Wakaya (Suva)