u20 Trophy Preview – Fiji vs Canada

Canada will search for their first win of the World Rugby u20 Trophy when they face Fiji in Bucharest on Wednesday. Their first two matches both resulted in late defeats, the opener to Portugal and on Saturday to Uruguay. With a top-three finish now out of reach their target is 5th overall, but to do that they’ll have to be the first team to conquer Fiji.

The Fijians enter as hot favorites to take the title after beating both Uruguay and Portugal, the pace and power of their attack overwhelming their opposites. They have opted to rest the bulk of their first choice side with only six players retaining their spot, just two in the forwards.

A new front row sees Livai Natave, Manoa Mocelutu, and Joseva Nasaroa get their first starts of the tournament, with Waisake Raratabua adding bulk to the engine room. Apisai Senileba and Lekima Nasamila start at blindside flank and No8 respectively, with openside Saimoni Uluinakauvadra assuming the captaincy with Raikabula Moemoedonu rested.

Returning player Fabiano Navabale gets a shot at the No10 shirt in a strong backline that sees Jiuta Wainiqolo recalled at outside centre and Filimoni Botitu shifted back to inside centre. The only other alteration is a straight swap at fullback with Nabetelevu Turaganivalu handed a start.

Six personnel changes have been made to the Canadian side along with a backline reshuffle. Brennig Prevost moves to flyhalf, Will Percillier to fullback, Kevin Vertkas to outside centre, and Josiah Morra to the right wing. Incoming are Brandon Schellenberger at scrumhalf, Lachlan Kratz at inside centre, and Jack McCarthy on the left wing.

Up front there are first starts for loosehead prop Mitchell Wainman and hooker Tyler Rockwell. Reid Davis is ruled out with concussion so Tyler Duguid lines up in the second row in an otherwise unchanged pack.

Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, 8am Eastern. A live stream will be provided by World Rugby.

FIJI
1 Livai Natave, 2 Manoa Mocelutu, 3 Joseva Nasaroa, 4 Meli Turagaca, 5 Waisake Raratabua, 6 Apisai Senileba, 7 Saimoni Uluinakauvadra (capt.), 8 Lekima Nasamila, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 10 Fabiano Navabale, 11 Ilikena Vudogo, 12 Filimoni Botitu, 13 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 14 Viliame Suwawa, 15 Nabetelevu Turaganivalu

Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Immanuel Naciva, 18 Apakuki Naivanawalu, 19 Raikabula Momoedonu, 20 Meli Derenalagi, 21 Apisalome Bogidrau, 22 Caleb Muntz, 23 Joseph Mar, 24 Tira Patterson, 25 Simione Navokavokadrau, 26 Sefanaia Seviua

CANADA
1 Mitchell Wainman, 2 Tyler Rockwell, 3 Tyler Rowland, 4 Tyler Duguid, 5 Quentin James, 6 Owain Ruttan, 7 James O’Neill (capt.), 8 Michael Smith, 9 Brandon Schellenberger, 10 Brennig Prevost, 11 Jack McCarthy, 12 Lachlan Kratz, 13 Kevin Vertkas, 14 Josiah Morra, 15 Will Percillier

Replacements: 16 Jack McRogers, 17 Gavin Kratz, 18 Emerson Prior, 19 Jackson Matthews, 20 Peter Ingoldsby, 21 Campbell Clarke, 22 Seth Purdey, 23 Elias Ergas, 24 Guerschom Mukendi, 25 Gabriel Casey

Date: Wednesday, September 5
Venue: Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
Kickoff: 15:00 local (05:00 Pacific, 08:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: World Rugby