After a solid workout by the national rugby side on a slippery Nasova ground, Fiji rugby team manager Sailosi Kepa announced he would name the team to play the New Zealand Maoris at the National Sporting Complex in Suva.
An article in The Fiji Times on May 18, 1979 stated coach Arthur Jennings had put on extra work for his players who showed determination to get into top gear for the 21st Test between Fiji and the Maoris.
Of the 20 Tests played since 1938, Fiji had won only seven, the last Test series won by Fiji was in 1957 at home when the national side won both Tests.
The Fiji team was originally scheduled to train at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks ground, but team officials decided the ground surface was too slippery and headed for Navosa, which was slightly better.
Kepa, a former Fiji national loose forward and manager of the successful national side that beat Tonga and the British Lions in 1977, watched the team practise from the Navosa guard room.
The forwards ran hard and also concentrated on mauling, rucking and ripping the ball, at the same time.
The backline, under skipper Pio TIkoisuva, was working on tactics to set up attack, and how to counter the Maori’s attacks. Watching from the sideline, it appeared Kepa and Jennings would name only two newcomers in the side.
They likely looked to be lock 19-year-old Rabici Ganilau and left winger Taniela Ralumu Nayate. Nayate and right winger Joape Kuinikoro showed a lot of pace when they got the ball from centre three-quarter Senitiki Nasave, who looked certain to hold his position.
Line-ups at training appeared to be the team for the Test, Isimeli Batibasaga was a halfback combining well with Tikoisuva.
Kemueli Musunamasi was certain to retain his place at fullback, ahead of strong tackling Pita Kewa.
And Jennings and Kepa were expected to look to Viliame Ratudradra’s experience and capability ahead of newcomer Ilami Lutumailagi as one of the breakaways.
The other breakaway was certain to be Nadroga’s Rupeni Qaraniqio, a veteran player Fiji could rely on to chase that ball all day.
Vice-captain Isikeli Cagilaba was predicted to be the No 8 while Naitasiri North’s Nasoni Uluvula was expected to edge out another newcomer, Jo Green Rayawa, for one of the lock positions.
Undoubtedly, the front row line-up of Josefa Rauto, Nimilote Ratudina and Atonio Racika was expected to be retained, leaving Peceli Kina as reserve.
Meanwhile, the Maori team had already been announced including the Dunn brothers, Eddie and Richard.
Big prop Billy Bush was in the front row with Leon Toki, 29, a very powerful scrummager and all rounds forward who played against the British Lions in 1977 and had been a regular member of the Maori side for some time.
