Some exciting matchups are expected to unfold when Fiji takes on England this Sunday at the Autumn Nations series. An interesting battle looms in the midfield with a Fiji’s powerful centre pairing of Josua Tuisova (12) and Kalaveti Ravouvou (13) against England’s Fraser Dingwall (12) and Ollie Lawrence (13). The matchup is a contrast between Fiji’s direct, explosive runners and England’s more organized and tactically gifted pairing.
Fiji’s pair hold a physical edge over their counterparts, their sheer power and offloading ability will pose a constant threat to England’s defensive line, especially if Tuisova and Ravouvou get one-on-one opportunities in space, defensively Fiji’s pairing could halt any England offense with brutal and dominant tackles but their challenge will be maintaining an effective defensive structure without being pulled out by England’s tactical kicking game.
Another exciting matchup will be between to highly gifted finishes in Fiji’s Jiuta Wainiqolo versuss England’s Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, the matchup is a clash of Wainiqolo’s elusiveness and Fijian attacking flair elusive versus Feyi-Waboso’s combination of speed, power, and high rugby IQ.
In an open space Wainiqolo’s acceleration and elusive speed would give him the upper hand. But in tight spaces Feyi-Waboso’s physicality and low centre of gravity gives him the advantage.
In defence the Englishman beat the Flying Fijian, his ariel prowess, rugby IQ makes him a more dependable defensive player, but Jiuta’s x-factor could still be a trump card for the Fijians this Sunday.
