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Fiji and Uruguay are both heading home after the group stage, but first they have a score to settle at Milton Keynes. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6:00am (AEDT).
Prior to the tournament Pool A at the Rugby World Cup was labelled the ‘pool of death’ and it’s lived up to that mantra with hosts and one of the pre-tournament favourites England eliminated before the quarter-finals.
Fiji haven’t lost four tests in a row since 1994, but should snap their losing run in this Test.
Uruguay are the only side not to score a try at the World Cup. In fact current head coach Pablo Lemoine was the last Uruguay player to score a Rugby World Cup try, in the 111-13 defeat by England in 2003.
Fiji have been competitive in every outing. Statistically they boast the best scrum and their abrasive and flamboyant play genuinely troubled Australia, Wales and England.
Fiji have made four changes from their 23-13 defeat to Wales on Thursday. Star winger Nemani Nadolo returns and will start on the left wing, with Asaeli Tikoirotuma moving to the right and Timoci Nagusa, who played against Wales, dropping out of the match-day squad.
Kini Murimurivalu comes in at full-back for Metuisela Talebula and prop Manasa Saulo has received a 10-week ban for stamping on Wales lock Luke Charteris.
Uruguay has named it’s most experienced starting XV of the World Cup with 453 caps, their third most experienced of all time, behind the teams that played against Georgia (468) and South Africa (455) in 2003.
Despite their experience in terms of caps, Uruguay’s team is third youngest at the World Cup with an average age of 26 years 202 days.
This is Uruguay’s best chance to achieve a win, but it’s tough to see them troubling Fiji.
Arguably their best player is halfback Agustín Ormaechea who is the son of Diego Ormaechea, the record holder for the oldest player to feature in a World Cup match. He was 40 in 1999. Agustin is one of only four professional players in this squad. He plays for Stade Montois in France and has also represented Uruguay in Sevens.
Some interesting things to note:
– The Fijians have conceded a try in every single World Cup game they have played in, which is a run of 27 games.
– Uruguay have not reached double figures in any of their last four Tests.
– Fiji beat Uruguay 42-22 in a non-capped international in Monteviedo in June. Their only official international was in L’Aquila, Italy in 1999 which Fiji won 39-24.
– This will be Uruguay’s fourth test against Pacific Islands opposition. They have lost the previous three, all against Fiji and Samoa.
– Uruguay’s only previous match against Pacific Islands opposition at a Rugby World Cup ended in a 60-13 defeat by Samoa in 2003.
Can Fiji keep the Uruguay try-less at the 2015 World Cup? Join The Roar for live scores from 6:00am (AEDT).
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.