u20 Trophy Preview – Uruguay vs Fiji

The World Rugby u20 Trophy kicks off on Tuesday with two Americas teams involved. Uruguay plays Fiji in the second match of the day. It was the Teritos who came out victorious in last year’s fixture amidst terrible wet weather. In the dry conditions of Bucharest the story could be very different in 2018.

Both teams have a number of returning players from 2017. In fact the Uruguayan side is almost completely comprised of returnees with only four newcomers named in the run-on side. Loosehead prop Joaquín Jaunsolo, hooker Emiliano Faccennini, and wingers Mateo Vinals and Baltazar Amaya were not part of last year’s squad.

Among the central figures are enormous tighthead Reinaldo Piussi, now based in France with Oyonnax, and an impressive loose forward trio of Manuel Ardao, Juan Garese, and captain Santiago Civetta. The halfback combination of Juan Nicola and Juan Martin Cattivelli impressed in 2017 and midfielder Manuel Portela was part of the Uruguay XV during the Sudamericano 6 Naciones.

Fiji feature six returning players from a largely forgettable 2017 tournament. Prop Immanuel Naciva joins second row and captain Raikabula Momoedonu in the tight five. Openside flanker Saimoni Uluinakauvadra returns as does mobile No8 Apisalome Bogidrau.

The backs have two returnees. Inside center Filimoni Botitu, a flyhalf last season, and winger Viliame Suwawa. The latter was a standout last season. Outside center Jiuta Wainiqolo is highly rated and there are two New Zealand schoolboy additions in Caleb Muntz and Joseph Mar.

Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, 9am Montevideo. A live stream will be provided by World Rugby.

URUGUAY
1 Joaquín Jaunsolo, 2 Emiliano Faccennini, 3 Reinaldo Piussi, 4 Martín Darracq, 5 Joaquín García, 6 Manuel Ardao, 7 Juan Garese, 8 Santiago Civetta (capt.), 9 Juan Nicola, 10 Juan Martín Cattivelli, 11 Mateo Viñals, 12 Manuel Portela, 13 Valentín Grille, 14 Baltazar Amaya, 15 Matías D’Avanzo

Replacements: 16 Nicolás Buysan, 17 Francisco Martirena, 18 Ignacio Peculo, 19 Felipe Aliaga, 20 Maxime Sonneveld, 21 James McCubbin, 22 José Iruleguy, 23 Alfonso Costa, 24 César Riviere, 25 Juan Francisco Torres, 26 Alfonso Cat

FIJI
1 Immanuel Naciva, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 3 Apakuki Naivanawalu, 4 Meli Turagaca, 5 Raikabula Momoedonu (capt.), 6 Meli Derenalagi, 7 Saimoni Uluinakauvadra, 8 Apisalome Bogidrau, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 10 Caleb Muntz, 11 Ilikena Vudogo, 12 Filimoni Botitu, 13 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 14 Viliame Suwawa, 15 Joseph Mar

Replacements: 16 Manoa Mocelutu, 17 Livai Natave, 18 Joseva Nasaroa, 19 Apisai Senileba, 20 Lekima Nasamila, 21 Fabiano Navabale, 22 Tira Patterson, 23 Nabetelevu Turaganivalu, 24 Waisake Raratabua, 25 Simione Navokavokadrau, 26 Sefanaia Seviua

Date: Tuesday, August 28
Venue: Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
Kickoff: 15:00 local (05:00 Pacific, 08:00 Eastern, 09:00 Montevideo)
Broadcasts: World Rugby