Tevita Toloi will make his debut for the Fiji Bati tomorrow morning when they face Scotland in a must-win Rugby League World Cup match at Kingston Park in Newcastle, England.
The 20-year-old Newcastle Knights forward joined the team as a late replacement for Pio Seci.
Toloi, whose dad is from Macuata and mum from Tailevu, will play off the interchange for Ben Nakubuwai who is out with a shoulder injury.
In an earlier interview, Toloi said his selection into the Bati meant a lot.
“It was surreal when I got the call-up. It’s awesome that I get to experience this and just to be around these boys.”
Also making the starting 17 is Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu who comes in for the suspended Tui Kamikamica.
The 23-year-old, who made his Fiji Bati debut during the 2019 Oceania Cup, plays prop for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup.
The other inclusion to the team is Mitieli Vulimaijapani who is in the reserves. The Bati will be led by Kevin Naiqama.
The Scots have also made three changes to its side which lost to Australia in their previous match.
The two teams last met during the 2008 Rugby League World Cup which Scotland won 18-16.
Kick-off is at 4am Fiji time on Sunday.
That is 5pm local time here Teams: Fiji – 1 Sunia Turuva, 2 Maika Sivo, 3 Kevin Naiqama, 4 Semi Valemei, 5 Vuate Karawalevu, 6 Apisai Koroisau, 7 Brandon Wakeham, 8 Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu, 9 Penioni Tagitumua, 10 King Vuniyayawa, 11 Viliame Kikau, 12 Joshua Wong, 13 Korbin Sims Interchange – Taniela Sadrugu, Tevita Toloi, Lamar Manuel-Liolevave, Henry Raiwalui.
Reserves – Mitieli Vulimaijapani, Netane Masima
Scotland – 1 Lachlan Walmsley, 2 Matty Russel, 3 Kieran Buchanan, 4 Bayley Liu, 5 Davey Dixon, 6 Ryan Brierley, 7 Calum Gahan, 8 Logan Bayliss-Brow, 9 Liam Hood, 10 Sam Luckley, 11 Euan Aitken, 12 Kane Linnett, 13 James Bell. Interchange – Kyle Schneider, Luke Bain, Dale Ferguson
Reserves – Guy Graham, Jack Teanby
