Match Preview – Fiji vs Uruguay

In a preview of a RWC 2019 fixture, Fiji and Uruguay face off on Saturday. The teams do so at the humble surroundings of Gillman’s Ground, the home of Hartpury College on the outskirts of Gloucester.

Fiji are coming off a 54-17 rout against Scotland. The heavy defeat came despite the Fijians playing well in the opening half. John McKee has reacted by naming six new faces in the starting side against Uruguay.

Of the changes there is a test debut for Perpignan winger Eroni Sau. The former Fiji Sevens star will play on the left wing, joining fellow Top 14 players Josua Tuisova and Metuisela Talebula in the back three. The latter fills in for the injured Setareki Tuicuvu with regular Kini Murimurivalu also on the disabled list.

The centers are also formidable with Jale Vatabua and Vereniki Goneva combining. Henry Seniloli and Ben Volavola form a lively halfback combination. Bordeaux star Semi Radradra is left out after missing training during the week due to a disciplinary hearing.

In the forwards there is a first test start for Albert Tuisue. The Fijian Drua standout partners with Leone Nakarawa in an imposing second row duo. Hooker will also see a home-based player starting in the form of Mesulame Dolokoto. Five other Drua players will feature from the bench.

Los Teros will hand a test debut to Manuel Ardao at hooker in the most notable selection. Injuries to Germán Kessler and Facundo Gattas have seen another uncapped youngster, Guillermo Pujadas, called up to the squad as cover. Ardao has only recently converted to the front row from flanker.

The rest of the pack is largely as expected with the towering Manuel Leindekar selected in place of Diego Magno at lock to counter the Fijian lineout. Leandro Segredo gets the start on the flank having been part of the team that beat the Fiji Warriors in the Nations Cup.

It’s an identical backline to the one that ran out against Ulster in Belfast last Friday. Santiago Arata looks to continue his rise to stardom as he partners Felipe Berchesi in the halfbacks. Juan Manuel Cat gets his first competitive start since March after returning from injury, and Joaquín Prada is named on the bench in his first appearance of the tour.

Saturday’s test match will be the third full test between Uruguay and Fiji. The first match took place in Italy in 1999 with Fiji winning 39-24, the second at RWC 2015 with Fiji winning 47-15 at Milton Keynes.

In ten months’ time the teams will meet again, this time in Kamaishi, Japan. The Pool D match will be Uruguay’s tournament opener. Fiji are certain to be the favorites on that day as they are for this weekend. The Pacific Islanders should come away convincing winners at Hartpury.

Kick-off is set for 1pm local, 10am Montevideo time. DirecTV will broadcast in Uruguay with World Rugby providing a live stream to those located elsewhere.

FIJI
1 Campese Ma’afu, 2 Mesulame Dolokoto, 3 Manasa Saulo, 4 Albert Tuisue, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (capt.), 7 Semi Kunatani, 8 Peceli Yato, 9 Henry Seniloli, 10 Ben Volavola, 11 Eroni Sau, 12 Jale Vatubua, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 14 Josua Tuisova, 15 Metuisela Talebula

Replacements: 16 Veremalua Vugakoto, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Kali Tawake, 19 Tevita Cavubati, 20 Mosese Voka, 21 Frank Lomani, 22 Alivereti Veitokani, 23 Eroni Vasiteri

URUGUAY
1 Mateo Sanguinetti, 2 Manuel Ardao, 3 Juan Rombys, 4 Ignacio Dotti, 5 Manuel Leindekar, 6 Juan Manuel Gaminara (capt.), 7 Leandro Segredo, 8 Alejandro Nieto, 9 Santiago Arata, 10 Felipe Berchesi, 11 Gastón Mieres, 12 Andrés Vilaseca, 13 Juan Manuel Cat, 14 Leandro Leivas, 15 Rodrigo Silva

Replacements: 16 Guillermo Pujadas, 17 Matías Benítez, 18 Juan Echeverría, 19 Diego Magno, 20 Manuel Diana, 21 Tomás Inciarte, 22 Federico Favaro, 23 Joaquín Prada

Date: Saturday, November 17
Kick-off: 13:00 local (05:00 Pacific, 08:00 Eastern, 10:00 Montevideo)
Venue: Gillman’s Ground, Hartpury
Referee: Tom Foley (RFU)
Assistants: Rasta Rasivhenge (SARU) & Craig Evans (WRU)
TMO: tbc
Broadcasts: World Rugby, DirecTV