FIJI HEAD COACH John McKee has been able to call upon Nemani Nadolo to start Saturday’s Test against Ireland in the Aviva Stadium (kick-off 17.30).
The Montpellier powerhouse is one of four changes made to the side who fell to a 19 – 10 defeat in Italy last weekend as scrum-half Henry Senioli comes into the side along with versatile La Rochelle flanker Levani Botia, who will start in the centre against Ireland just a few weeks after causing Ulster so many problems from the blindside.
“(Jale) Vatabua is a good link for them,” said Joe Schmidt of the opposition centre pairing this afternoon, “he has the right-foot kicking skills and at the same time Botia is this powerhouse who I think people will be excited to see.”
Motioning to this weekend’s out-half Joey Carbery, Schmidt stoked another fresh provincial memory:
“Obviously people recently saw Nadolo. Joey saw him up close and personal — I think it was something like 11 tackles he broke the last time he played an Irish team (Leinster). I’m sure he’s looking to break a few more and get a few more scores.”
McKee, who has previously been in charge of Buccaneers and was assistant to Michael Bradley at Connacht, has made just one change to his pack.
A debutant in Italy last week, Semi Kunatani is replaced on the blindside by Dominiko Waqaniburuto. Kunatani will hope to play some part, but both he and Clermont’s Peceli Yato have been provisionally marked for the number 20 jersey until a final decision is made in the hours before kick-off.
Fiji (v Ireland)
15. Kini Murimurivalu
14. Timoci Nagusa
13. Jale Vatabua
12. Levani Botia
11. Nemani Nadolo
10. Ben Volavola
9. Henry Senioli
1. Campese Ma’afu
2. Talemaitoga Tuapati
3. Manasa Saulo
4. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. Dominiko Waqaniboruto
7. Akapusi Qera
8. Nemani Nagusa
Replacements:
16. Sunia Koto
17. Peni Ravai
18. Kalivati Tawake
19. Sikeli Nabou
20. Peceli Yato / Semi Kunatani
21. Niko Matawalu
22. Asaeli Tikoirotuma
23. Vereniki Goneva
