Fiji Team for Scotland named

Fiji head coach Glen Ella names Scotland test line-up

Friday, November 13, 2009

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Mike Brewer takes the forwards through their paces in Scotland. PICTURE: Fiji Rugby Union

FLYING Fijians head coach Glen Ella this morning named 12 overseas based players in his starting fifteen to take on Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday (Sunday 2.30am Fiji time).

Among them are Llanelli Scarlets prop Deacon Manu and 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs player Josh Matavesi - both of whom will earn their first caps for the Flying Fijians.

"Obviously the overseas based players are the ones who've got runs on the board, they're the ones who've been performing week in and week out at the highest levels of the game and they've done enough during training to convince Sam (Domoni), Mike (Brewer) and myself that they deserve to start," Ella said.

The three local based players in the starting line-up are prop Alefoso Yalayalatabua, hooker Viliame Veikoso and number eight Asaeli Boko.

On the bench Graham Dewes is the lone overseas based player.

Ella has named outstanding inside centre Seremaia Bai as captain of the team.

"Bai is an experienced player who is currently in a rich vein of form and I believe he will be an excellent leader."

The full squad is as follows:

Flying Fijians:

1. Alefoso Yalayalatabua (Suva), 2, Viliame Veikoso (Nadi), 3. Deacon Manu (Scarlets), 4. Wame Lewaravu (London Welsh), 5. Ifereimi Rawaqa (World Fighting Bulls), 6. Josefa Domolailai (Petrarca), 7. Akapusi Qera (Gloucester), 8. Asaeli Boko (Nadroga), 9. Mosese Rauluni (Saracens), 10. Nicky Little (Bath), 11. Napolioni Nalaga (Clemont), 12. Seremaia Bai (c) (Clemont), 13. Gabirieli Lovobalavu (Toulon), 14. Vereniki Goneva (Aurillac), 15. Josh Matavesi (Exeter).

Reserves:

16. Graham Dewes (Counties), 17. Sireli Ledua (Northland), 18. Leone Nakarawa (Suva), 19. Samu Bola (Suva), 20. Waisale Vatuvoka (Naitasiri), 21. Jonetani Ratu (Nadroga), 22. Nasoni Roko (Naitasiri).