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Canada’s second match of 1999 was on May 15, the first of two they would play against Fiji that year. The two would be face-to-face once again at the Rugby World Cup in France later that year. For the Fijians this was the start of their final run-in to the tournament, while the Canadians had suffered a narrow defeat to Japan two weeks earlier in Tokyo.
Vancouver’s Thunderbird Stadium was the venue on this occasion. There were four changes to the Canadian starting side, all in the pack. Mark Cardinal and Richard Bice came into the front row, with Chris Whittaker swapping in for Tony Healy at lock and Al Charron pushing No8 Ryan Banks to the bench.
Five replacements would take the field for Canada during the match. Among them was Fred Asselin, a blazing fast winger from Montreal. He was already an accomplished sevens player having scored a hat-trick against the Fijians at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. This would be Asselin’s test debut.
Former New Zealand prop Brad Johnstone was at the helm of Fiji. There were enormous figures in tighthead prop Joeli Veitayaki and captain Simon Raiwalui in the tight five. Former Wallabies flanker Ilie Tabua, nicknamed ‘The Human Skewer’, was in his second stint playing for the country of his birth while mobile No8 Koli Sewabu was winning his first cap.
As always the Fijian backs division was fearsome. Nicky Little’s kicking prowess mixed well with the speed merchants. Three notables were on debut – All Blacks trialist Waisake Sotutu, imposing winger Marika Vunibaka, and emerging star Viliame Satala. The latter would switch positions with Alfred Uluinayau ahead of the World Cup, a move that paid off in spades.
FIJI
1 Niko Qoro, 2 Isaia Rasila, 3 Joeli Veitayaki, 4 Simon Raiwalui (capt.), 5 Ifereimi Tawake, 6 Ilie Tabua, 7 Setareki Tawake, 8 Koli Sewabu, 9 Sami Rabaka, 10 Nicky Little, 11 Fero Lasagavibau, 12 Waisake Sotutu, 13 Alfred Uluinayau, 14 Marika Vunibaka, 15 Viliame Satala
Replacements: 16 Bill Cavubati, 17 Paula Biu, 18 Emori Katalau, 19 Waisiki Masirewa, 20 Mosese Rauluni, 21 Opeti Turuva, 22 Lawrence Little
CANADA
1 Rod Snow, 2 Mark Cardinal, 3 Richard Bice, 4 John Tait, 5 Chris Whittaker, 6 John Hutchinson, 7 Danny Baugh, 8 Al Charron, 9 John Graf (capt.), 10 Bob Ross, 11 Courtney Smith, 12 Kyle Nichols, 13 Winston Stanley, 14 Jeremy Cordle, 15 Joe Pagano
Replacements: 16 Julian Loveday, 17 Fred Asselin, 18 Scott Bryan, 19 Jon Thiel, 20 Pat Dunkley, 21 Tony Healy, 22 Ryan Banks
Referee: Jerry McLemore (USA)
Attendance: 6,500
