Fiji have rung the changes for their Rugby World Cup Pool B match against the USA on Wednesday 15 October at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
It will be the second match in five days for the players from the South Pacific, having earlier lost to France 61 –18, while the Eagles will front up for their first match of the Tournament.
Suspended
Fiji will be without the services of match winning wing Rupeni Caucau who was suspended for two matches at a judicial hearing on Monday night following an incident in Saturday’s game.
His place on the left wing will be taken by Vilimoni Delasau.
Fiji coach Mac McCallion has reacted to the loss by bringing in flankers Alivereti Mocelutu and Koli Sewabu to replace Sis Koyamaibaibole and Kitione Salawa for their first appearances of the Tournament.
Alfred Uluinayau takes over the fullback’s jersey from Norman Ligairi for his RWC 2003 debut while Marika Vunibaka comes off the bench to take his place on the right wing as Delasau shifts to the left.
Strong core for Eagles
Six players with previous RWC experience make up the core of the of the USA team.
The side team is a classic blend of youth and experience with five 1999 RWC veterans dominating the forward pack and some rising stars of USA rugby in the backs, marshalled by The Eagles’ leading RWC points scorer Kevin Dalzell at scrum half.
Eagles' coach Tom Billups told Rugby News Service that his team, led by captain and openside flanker Dave Hodges, was "straining at the leash" to get their campaign under way after being among the first to arrive in Brisbane but the last to kick off in Pool B.
Old foes
The two countries know each other well, having met three times in the past with Fiji winning twice.
The last match played between the two was on 30 June 2000, the Americans losing 37- 21. That result offers a clue as to why the North Americans are placed three places behind the 11th placed Fijians in the IRB Official World Rankings.
This match will be a perfect clash of rugby styles. The United States are known for the power of their forward pack whilst the Fijians are famous for their explosive running ability and expansive running prowess.
The Eagles could count on their experience and talented number 8 and captain Dan Lyle, who has played a large part of his career for the Bath rugby Club in England.
His rock-like defence and dangerous attacking play is complemented by his composure behind the scrum.
Secret weapon
Although starting on the bench, the Fijians secret weapon could be the Stade Montois genius Waisale Serevi, considered one of the greatest Seven’s rugby players in history. Capable of surprising and incredible acts, Serevi alone is able to turn the balance of a match.
The match referee will by Joel Jutge, and assisted down the sidelines by touch judge’s Andrew Cole and Nigel Whitehouse.
Teams
Fiji:
1 Joeli Veitayaki, 2 Greg Smith, 3 Nacanieli Seru/Richard Nyholt, 4 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 5 Api Naevo, 6 Alivereti Mocelutu, 7 Koli Sewabu, 8 Alifereti Doviverata (captain), 9 Moses Rauluni, 10 Nicky Little, 11 Vilimoni Delasau, 12 Seru Rabeni, 13 Aisea Tuilevu, 14 Marika Vunibaka, 15 Alfred Uluinayau.
Replacements: 16 Bill Gadolo, 17 Richard Nyholt /Nacanieli Seru, 18 Vula Maimuri, 19 Sisa Koyamaibole, 20 Waisale Serevi, 21 Epeli Ruivadra and 22 Norman Ligairi
USA:
1 Mike MacDonald, 2 Kirk Khasigian, 3 Daniel Dorsey, 4 Alec Parker, 5 Luke Gross, 6 Kort Schubert, 7 Dave Hodges (captain), 8 Dan Lyle, 9 Kevin Dalzell, 10 Mike Hercus, 11 Riaan van Zyl, 12 Kain Cross, 13 Phillip Eloff, 14 David Fee, 15 Paul Emerick.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Wyatt, 17 John Tarpoff, 18 Gerhard Klerck, 19 Jurie Gouws, 20 Kimball Kjar, 21 Salesi Sika, 22 John Buchholz.
The match, which kicks off at 17:00 is crucial to both team's chances of qualifying for the play offs.
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