Fiji Water Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne rotated his match-day squad once again, this time, making eight changes to the starting 15 that will face Canada in the semi-final of the Pacific Nations Cup.
The most noticeable change was shifting winger Ponipate Loganimasi to fullback, in place of Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula who is recovering from an injury sustained in the match against Samoa.
“I don’t know how Isaiah survived that (injury), but he did, and we just thought that he was two to three days too early to play,” said Byrne in a zoom interview with the media yesterday.
“It was quite a nasty ankle movement, but we are very lucky. I don’t know how he did but he must be a very strong young man, so he has survived that, and he has come through well.
“It was probably one of those situations where he is running, training today but it probably wasn’t quite right, it wasn’t quite a 100 and when you go into the semi-final, you cannot afford to take players that are not at 100 and that was unfortunate for Izzy.
“Ponipate has stepped up well this week and trained well there. I’m looking forward to seeing him at fullback,” Byrne said.
Byrne has also named Fiji 7s Olympian Joji Nasova who is set for a potential debut off the bench.
“He has trained well. He has been in camp for three weeks now and he has got to understand our systems, he has fitted in well and I am really looking forward to seeing him when he comes on the field with the way he has been training.
“So, it’s an exciting opportunity for him and when he gets on the field, I am sure we are going to see some really good things from Joji.”
Looking at the changes made, Eroni Mawi returns at loose-head prop after being rested in the match against Samoa.
Mesake Doge takes up the tight-head prop position, shifting Samu Tawake to the bench.
Mesake Vocevoce is starting at locks with Isoa Nasilasila while Temo Mayanavanua has been rested.
Elia Canakaivata is back at openside flanker, Viliame Mata returns to his position at number eight and Taniela Rakuro will start at left wing.
Byrne has opted for the centre combination of Inia Tabuavou and Seta Tamanivalu.
Captain Tevita Ikanivere, Etonia Waqa, Caleb Muntz, Simione Kuruvoli and Kalaveti Ravouvou have retained their usual positions and are expected to lead with experience on their side.
Fiji will take on Canada on atg 12.35pm tomorrow at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in Denver, Colorado, USA.
