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THE stage is set for what is building up to be an exciting clash when the Flying Fijians come up against England tomorrow morning at Twickenham.
The hype’s building up. The Flying Fijians head in after having held a very strong French pack before succumbing in the end.
England, on the other hand have had a rather low key preparation to the Rugby World Cup next month.
Announcing eight changes, head coach Steven Borthwick hasn’t had the best of things following the suspension of captain Owen Farrell and number eight Billy Vunipola. Winger Anthony Watson and halfback Jack van Poortvliet are injured, winger Elliot Daly suffered a knee injury against Ireland and flanker Tom Curry is recovering from an ankle injury.
In the face of that, England have lost five out of eight matches this year.
Now the Flying Fijians head in with a strong effort against France, on top of the victory in the PNC, defeating Tonga, Samoa, and Japan. Standards of competition may be very different, but it still adds to preparation and building on the confidence factor in the team.
So while the bookies are tipping England to come  out strong, Fijian fans are relishing the thought of big things tomorrow.
National coach Simon Raiwalui has named a strong lineup which sees Eroni Mawi retaining his loosehead prop position, with Luke Tagi coming in at tighthead prop. They will be with Sam Matavesi at hooker.
The partnership of Isoa Nasilasila and Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta has been retained at second row.
Albert Tuisue has been named at blindside flanker with Lekima Tagitagivalu manning the important openside flanker berth, and Viliame Mata comes back at number eight.
Interestingly Raiwalui has named exciting Drua openside flanker Vilive Miramira on the bench, so expect to see some fiery stuff from the backrow.
It’s loaded with pace, energy and grunt!
The retention of our halves combination of Frank Lomani at halfback and Caleb Muntz at flyhalf continues.
It will also be interesting to see how the combination of Semi Radradra at second five eight and skipper Waisea Nayacalevu at centre functions tomorrow.
We have pacey Vinaya Habosi and Selesitino Ravutaumada on the wings and Ilaisa Droasese gets his chance at fullback.
This is it. The teams are ready. And the fans are hyped up for a match that should test both teams.
Raiwalui has his final chance to work on his combinations and see players in action against tough opposition before our first game against Wales on September 11 at RWC 2023.
On the homefront, rugby fans are in for a feast of high schools rugby action when the finals of the Deans Trophy Competition gets underway at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva today.
Giants Queen Victoria School head in as hot favourites against Western giants Natabua High School in the final for the coveted Deans Trophy in the Under 18 grade.
We wish all the teams the very best and look forward to some exciting moments on the field today and tomorrow.
May the best teams win.