PNC Preview – Fiji vs Canada

Canadian fans were forced to endure a rough opening to their Pacific Nations Cup at the hands of the USA in Colorado. This week the teams heads to the South Pacific where little relief awaits. Fiji came up short against Japan in Kamaishi and will take their frustrations out on their guests with a reinforced lineup.

John McKee has welcomed back a host of stars, not least Bordeaux dynamo Semi Radradra, who lines up outside Jale Vatubua in an intimidating midfield combination. In fact the backs division is entirely changed. Henry Seniloli and Josh Matavesi are the halfbacks with hard-hitting Eroni Sau on the left wing and bulldozing Josua Tuisova on the right. Kini Murimurivalu is recalled at fullback.

Up front there is experience at prop with Campese Ma’afu and Peni Ravai starting, the latter proving his versatility at tighthead. Highly-rated youngster Veremalua Vugakoto makes his third test start at hooker. Tevita Ratuva partners stand-in captain Leone Nakarawa in the second row, with Clermont superstar Peceli Yato replacing Dominiko Waqaniburotu on the blindside flank.

There is no shortage of class on the bench. Newcastle lock Tevita Cavubati returns to fitness for his first appearance in a Fiji shirt this year, and the mesmerizing Niko Matawalu – equally comfortable at wing or scrumhalf – is set to see his first test action since November 2017.

Kingsley Jones, on the other hand, has opted to rest established stars Tyler Ardron, Phil Mack, and DTH van der Merwe. Kyle Baillie will captain the side for the first time, the PEI native moving up to lock with an all-new back row of Justin Blanchet, Lucas Rumball, and Luke Campbell. Conor Keys is the only surviving starter in the pack as Rob Brouwer, Eric Howard, and Jake Ilnicki comprise the front row.

After wearing the No10 shirt last week, Peter Nelson reverts to his more familiar fullback spot with Shane O’Leary handed an opportunity outside Gordon McRorie in the halfbacks. Nick Blevins comes in for Ben LeSage at outside center, and there are two new wingers in Kainoa Lloyd and Jeff Hassler. Lloyd was not part of the original squad named but has been called up with Taylor Paris still recovering from his training-ground collision with Hassler a week ago.

Former Ontario Blues teammates Djustice Sears-Duru and Matt Tierney are named as prop reserves, with versatile Arrows forward Mike Sheppard an option at lock or in the back row. Jamie Mackenzie is back from illness to act as backup scrumhalf.

There’s no question that Fiji enter the game as heavy favorites. The lineup is bursting with top-tier talent and they will be tasked not only with bouncing back from defeat, but also to put on a show for the Suva faithful before they depart for the World Cup. Anything less than a comprehensive victory for the home side would be a surprise.

Kickoff is set for Saturday 5:15pm local time, Friday 10:15pm Pacific, Saturday 1:15am Eastern. Live broadcasts will be available on TSN2 in Canada, NBC Sports Gold in the USA, and World Rugby’s digital media outlets.

FIJI
1 Campese Ma’afu, 2 Veremalua Vugakoto, 3 Peni Ravai, 4 Leone Nakarawa (capt.), 5 Tevita Ratuva, 6 Peceli Yato, 7 Semi Kunatani, 8 Viliame Mata, 9 Henry Seniloli, 10 Josh Matavesi, 11 Eroni Sau, 12 Jale Vatubua, 13 Semi Radradra, 14 Josua Tuisova, 15 Kini Murimurivalu

Replacements: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Lee-Roy Atalifo, 19 Tevita Cavubati, 20 Mosese Voka, 21 Niko Matawalu, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Patrick Osborne

CANADA
1 Rob Brouwer, 2 Eric Howard, 3 Jake Ilnicki, 4 Conor Keys, 5 Kyle Baillie (capt.), 6 Justin Blanchet, 7 Lucas Rumball, 8 Luke Campbell, 9 Gordon McRorie, 10 Shane O’Leary, 11 Kainoa Lloyd, 12 Ciaran Hearn, 13 Nick Blevins, 14 Jeff Hassler, 15 Peter Nelson

Replacements: 16 Andrew Quattrin, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Matt Tierney, 19 Evan Olmstead, 20 Mike Sheppard, 21 Matt Heaton, 22 Jamie Mackenzie, 23 Conor Trainor

Date: Saturday, August 3
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Suva
Kickoff: 17:15 local (Friday 22:15 Pacific, 01:15 Eastern)
Referee: Mike Fraser (NZRU)
Assistants: Nick Briant (NZRU) & Graham Cooper (ARU)
TMO: n/a
Broadcasts NBC Sports Gold (USA), TSN2 (Canada), World Rugby