Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui has named his match-day 23 to face Wales in Bordeaux on Sunday, with Teti Tela starting at fly-half in place of the injured Caleb Muntz.
1 Eroni Mawi
2 Samuel Matavesi
3 Luke Tagi
4 Isoa Nasilasila
5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
6 Albert Tuisue
7 Lekima Tagitagivalu
8 Viliame Mata
9 Frank Lomani
10 Teti Tela
11 Vinaya Habosi
12 Semi Radradra
13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c)
14 Selesitino Ravutaumada
15 Ilaisa Droasese
Replacements:
16 Tevita Ikanivere
17 Peni Ravai
18 Mesake Doge
19 Temo Mayanavanua
20 Levani Botia
21 Simione Kuruvoli
22 Josua Tuisova
23 Sireli Maqala
- Head coach Simon Raiwalui has only nine players in his match-day 23 with Rugby World Cup experience with a further three on the bench, including Peni Ravai, Waisea Nayacalevu, and Levia Botia will all make their third Rugby World Cup tournament appearances after 2015 and 2019.
- Nine players in the match-day 23 play their club rugby with the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby, including the scrum-half and fly-half pairing of Frank Lomani and Teti Tela, and second-row pairing of Isoa Nasilasila and Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta in the starting team. The last time these two teams met at RWC 2019, only three players in the match-day team played their club rugby in Fiji.
- There are six players in the match-day 23 who play their club rugby in France, with Luke Tagi for Provence, Lekima Tagitagivalu for Pau, Temo Mayanavanua for Lyon, Levani Botia for La Rochelle, Josua Tuisova for Racing 92 and Sireli Maqala for Bayonne. Semi Radradra will join Lyon for the 2023/24 season.
- Four players in this match-day 23 only made their test debut this year, with Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Selestino Ravutaumada, Lekima Tagitagivalu and Ilaisa Droasese.
- Peni Ravai is Fiji’s most experienced player in their RWC 2023 squad with 41 test caps and seven Rugby World Cup caps. He and Levia Botia both played against Wales in 2015 and 2019.
- Waisea Nayacalevu scored a double against Wales the last time they met in Cardiff in 2021. He is currently enjoying a three-game try-scoring streak, the longest of his career.
