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All Blacks are not underestimating Fiji
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
21st July, 2011
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Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
21st July, 2011
5
1723 Reads

The All Blacks have named a formidable side to take on Fiji in this one-off Test, which kicks off at Friday 22 July, 7:35pm (NZT). The last time New Zealand met Fiji was back in 2005, a game which was one sided from start to finish, ending 91-0.

Even without some of its top players, the All Blacks have managed to put together a very strong team and would not take Fiji lightly as its trans-Tasman rival Australia did with Samoa.

Some of the big name injuries to the team include Isaia Toeava, Hosea Gear, Cory Jane, Richard Kahui and Israel Dagg. With injuries to half the backline, Graham Henry had to call players from his wider training group such as Highlanders fullback, Ben Smith into the reserve bench, as well as the inclusion of prolific but recently out of form winger, Sitiveni Sivivatu onto the left wing.

Sivivatu made his debut for the All Blacks on 10 June 2005, against Fiji. He scored four tries on debut that day as well as marking his entry as one of the most formidable wingers. The 47 Test veteran was brought in as an injury cover for Hosea Gear.

This could be the match that rejuvenates his international career which has been plagued with an on-going shoulder injury. Ben Smith made his debut for NZ against Italy back in November 2009. Even though he did not start of very well, he played brilliantly in that game. He probably didn’t realise it but that was probably the first and the last time he might don the All Blacks jumper internationally. After a very successful Super Rugby campaign for the Highlanders, Smith’s inclusion in the wider training group did not come as a surprise.

He was included as an injury cover for Isaia Toeava. He is expected to play his second only Test for the All Blacks off the bench against Fiji. Another Highlander in Jarrad Hoeata will be making his Test debut this Friday. The flanker turned lock would not have been anyone’s choice at the beginning of the 2011 Super 15 series, but half way through, he cemented his position in the starting XV for the Highlanders and was instrumental and with his strong performances, there was nothing stopping him from donning the All Blacks jumper, it was all a matter of time and his time is now.

Colin Slade is another player that would be hoping to redeem himself, and just like Ben Smith, he has only played once for the All Blacks and that too as a substitution for another future prospect at 10 for the All Blacks, Aaron Cruden against the Wallabies in the final game of the 2010 Tri-Nations series which the All Blacks had already won prior to this match. He came on at the 61min mark changing the game plan which led to their victory. Slade is regarded as the best possible back-up to Dan Carter at fly-half for the upcoming 2011 World Cup.

He didn’t play much in the 2011 Super 15 because he broke his jaw after he clashed heads with Melbourne Rebels flanker Michael Lipman in the fifth minute of the the game. He was ruled out for the remainder of the season only to return earlier this month in a pre-season match for the Canterbury ITM Cup.

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This is the first Test for New Zealand this season and they are the firm favorites to win the illustrious 2011 World Cup title later this year.

Fiji, on the other hand, has had a very bad international rugby season. At the start of the 2011 IRB Pacific Nations Cup, they were ranked 10th in the world but after losing two of their three matches and with other teams in the PNC playing much better than in previous years, their ranking fell to 14th, the lowest ranking Fiji has achieved since the ranking system started in 2003.

A few of their top overseas based players such as winger Vilimoni Delasau (the star for Fiji in the 2007 RWC), Rupeni Caucau (the star for Fiji in the 2003 RWC), Sireli Bobo, fullback; Kameli Ratuvou and Isa Nacewa (regarded as the best fullback in the Northern Hemisphere) had pulled outbefore the Pacific Nations Cup. Fiji’s first game thrashing to Tonga in home soil came as a surprise to many.

The Fijian fans are unforgiving which led to a completely different team starting against Samoa a week later.

A game which they won convincingly against a Samoan outfit which had also undergone changes as most of their top players had already left for Australia to prepare for their one-off Test against Australia a week later.

The final game Fiji played against Japan is regarded as the worst game Fiji has ever played at home soil with Fijian players being shown three yellow and two red cards and finishing the game with only 12 players on the field.

Fiji went down 24-13 to the Brave Blossoms, the win also meant that Japan secured the 2011 Pacific Nations Cup for the first time since its inception in 2006.

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Sisa Koyamaibole who was shown the red card was suspended for two weeks whereas reserve fly-half, Waisea Luveniyali who was shown a yellow card for a very dangerous tackle on a japanese player was suspended for four weeks.

The coach, Sam Domoni, made swift changes to the team by dropping two stalwarts in blockbusting centre Seru Rabeni and prop Graham Dewes (whose try in the 2007 Rugby World Cup against Wales sent fiji to the Quarter-finals) and recruiting Fijian under-20 fly-half and Fiji Sevens player, Metuisela Talebula into the team.

Fiji named a very strong side to play the All Blacks in Dunedin. They have included the likes of Akapusi Qera, Seremaia Bai, Domoniko Waqaniburotu, Timoci Nagusa, Napolioni Nalaga and hard hitting centre Albert Vulivuli in their matchday starting XV:

1. Campese Ma’afu, 2. Sunia Koto, 3. Deacon Manu (c), 4. Sekonaia Kalou, 5. Rupeni Nasiga, 6. Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 7. Akapusi Qera, 8. Sakiusa Matadigo, 9. Nemia Serelevu, 10. Seremaia Baikeinuku, 11. Napolioni Nalaga, 12. Ravai Fatiaki, 13. Albert Vulivuli, 14. Timoci Nagusa, 15. Iliesa Keresoni

Reserves: 16. Viliame Veikoso, 17. Setefano Somoca, 18. Josefa Domolailai, 19. Malakai Ravulo, 20. Vitori Buatava, 21. Taniela Rawaqa, 22. Vereniki Goneva.

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