
Josh Matavesi, who plays his club rugby for Welsh regional side the Ospreys, will start for Fiji against Wales in Saturday's one-off international at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
Fly-half Matavesi missed last week's tour-opening 40-15 defeat by France in Marseille through injury but was included Wednesday alongside scrum-half Nikola Matawalu of in-form Scottish team Glasgow in a side named by Fiji coach John McKee on Wednesday.
Former Gloucester No 8 Akapusi Qera will captain the Pacific Islanders.
McKee has made several changes to his back division where Matavesi replaces Jonetani Ralulu and Vereniki Goneva, of English giants Leicester, joins Nemani Nadolo, who has come in for Lepani Botia, in midfield.
Wings Asaeli Tikoirotuma and Waisale Nayacalevu have take over from Watisoni Votu and Alipate Ratini. Both Ratini and Botia cannot be in Cardiff for personal reasons, McKee said Wednesday.
"I am very happy with the squad I have been able to name for this match," McKee was quoted by the espnscrum.com website as saying.
"The return of Goneva to the team and Nadolo to the starting line-up adds strength and experience to our backline.
"Josh Matavesi, who unfortunately was unavailable for the France match due to injury, will be looking to make his mark in the playmaker position in this important match, less than 12 months from when these two teams will meet at the same venue at the 2015 Rugby World Cup."
Fiji, pool opponents for Wales in next year's World Cup, drew 16-16 on their last visit to the Millennium Stadium four years ago and famously knocked Wales out of the 2007 edition with a stunning 38-34 win in Nantes.
But their last meeting, at the 2011 World Cup in Hamilton, New Zealand, saw Wales thrash Fiji 66-0.
Fiji (15-1)
Metuisela Talebula; Waisea Nayacalevu, Vereniki Goneva, Nemani Nadolo, Asaeli Tikoirotuma; Joshua Matavesi, Nikola Matawalu; Akapusi Qera (capt), Masi Matadigo, Dominiko Waqaniburotu; Api Ratuniyarawa, Leone Nakarawa; Manasa Saulo, Sunia Koto, Campese Ma'afu
Replacements: Tuapati Talemaitoga, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Isei Colati, Tevita Cavubati, Malakai Ravulo, Henry Seniloli, Jonetani Ralulu, Timoci Nagusa
Source: AFP
GMT 13:38 2018 Wednesday ,12 December
WADA views International Sambo Federation as one of best in fight against doping abuseGMT 10:48 2018 Tuesday ,23 October
Dortmund face Atletico test of maturityGMT 19:21 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Brewers make offer to Japanese pitcher DarvishGMT 19:19 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Brewers make offer to Japanese pitcher DarvishGMT 12:35 2018 Friday ,19 January
Man Utd set to make Sanchez highest-paid Premier League playerGMT 12:17 2018 Thursday ,04 January
Italy's Barella extends Cagliari dealGMT 13:20 2017 Sunday ,24 December
'Tongan Bear' Uhila extends Clermont contractGMT 19:09 2017 Tuesday ,19 December
Mascherano close to China move: reportsMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor