Fiji EOYT Thread

[Juggernaut]

The 30-member Flying Fijians Squad:

Forwards: Graham Dewes, Aisake Tarogi, Alefoso Yalayalatabua, Deacon Manu, Vili Veikoso, Vereniki Sauturaga, Sireli Ledua, Josefa Domolailai, Wame Lewaravu, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Leone Nakarawa, Akapusi Qera, Asaeli Boko, Jimilai Nakaidawa, Samu Bola, Netani Talei, Jone Qovu.

Backs: Mosese Rauluni, Waisale Vatuvoka, Nicky Little, Jonetani Ratu, Waisale Luveniyali, Seremaia Bai, Kameli Ratuvou, Vereniki Goneva , Filimoni Delasau, Nasoni Roko, Napolioni Nalaga, Norman Ligairi.


Nov 14: vs Scotland (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
Nov 21: vs Ireland (Royal Dublin Society Grounds, Dublin)
Nov 28: vs Romania (Arcul de Triumf Stadium, Bucharest)

 

[gingergenius]

where is Timoci Nagusa? I'll try to get for the murrayfield fixture though, anything to see Nalaga play.

 

[Juggernaut]

Last I heard, Nagusa had a fallout with former coach Ilie Tabua so we really dont know what's up with the new management.

But that's the problem with Fiji Rugby and wingers.....we really have a hard time choosing who to leave out. Those who missed the cut were:

Timoci Nagusa (Ulster), Sireli Bobo (Racing-Metro), Rupeni Caucau (Agen), Filimoni Bolavucu (Bayonne), Michael Tagicakibau (Saracens), Saimoni Vaka (Agen), etc..

 

[Juggernaut]

Rumours abound that Deacon Manu will probably abandon ship if he gets the call from Gatland to play for Wales. *f***ker*

He qualifies for Wales under the 3-year residency rule after joining Scarlets in 2006.

 

[Melhor Time]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Juggernaut @ Oct 14 2009, 08:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

The 30-member Flying Fijians Squad:

Forwards: Graham Dewes, Aisake Tarogi, Alefoso Yalayalatabua, Deacon Manu, Vili Veikoso, Vereniki Sauturaga, Sireli Ledua, Josefa Domolailai, Wame Lewaravu, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Leone Nakarawa, Akapusi Qera, Asaeli Boko, Jimilai Nakaidawa, Samu Bola, Netani Talei, Jone Qovu.

Backs: Mosese Rauluni, Waisale Vatuvoka, Nicky Little, Jonetani Ratu, Waisale Luveniyali, Seremaia Bai, Kameli Ratuvou, Vereniki Goneva , Filimoni Delasau, Nasoni Roko, Napolioni Nalaga, Norman Ligairi.


Nov 14: vs Scotland (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
Nov 21: vs Ireland (Royal Dublin Society Grounds, Dublin)
Nov 28: vs Romania (Arcul de Triumf Stadium, Bucharest)[/b]

Nov 7 was to be Fiji vs Argentina in Qatar according to the Fiji Times. A very interesting place for such a match.

Great to see Qera back for Fiji. He was the best forward at the 2007 World Cup. Fiji have such quality at centre and wing that some great players based in France, like Kunavore, are not even in this squad.
Fiji will be aiming for 2 wins and could well get them. Weather will be a major factor in all three games. Prey for sun and Fiji will benefit. Scotland and Romania will dominate up front but Fiji will show them a thing ro two in the backs. Nalaga should be unleashed.

 

[Juggernaut]

Yeah, I read about that proposed match with the Pumas in Qatar.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Fiji technical director Mike Brewer said efforts to arrange a test against Argentina in Doha, Qatar prior to the Scotland match had fallen through because there was too little time to make the necessary arrangements.

"We didn't have enough time to pull things together but it will happen," Brewer told the Fiji Times.

He said he was working on a project which could see Fiji playing regular tests in the Gulf state from 2012.[/b]

and Melhor, it will be great if we can get just a win on this tour.

The main obstacle facing us is the lack of preparation time. Most of the players in the squad are scattered in Europe and will only come together a week before our first match. So getting the combination, gameplan and the unity will be a nightmare.
Add to that the fact that we have a new coach going on his first tour and who will meet 80% of the players for the first time a week before his first ever match in charge.

The odds are heavily stacked against us.

 

[Thingimubob]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Juggernaut @ Oct 20 2009, 03:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Rumours abound that Deacon Manu will probably abandon ship if he gets the call from Gatland to play for Wales. *f***ker*

He qualifies for Wales under the 3-year residency rule after joining Scarlets in 2006.[/b]

Yeah apparently he said he'd be 'honoured' if he was picked. I hope he isn't, mostly because he's sh*t. Wales have plenty of props who're far better than him imo

 

[Melhor Time]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Juggernaut @ Oct 20 2009, 06:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Yeah, I read about that proposed match with the Pumas in Qatar.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE

Fiji technical director Mike Brewer said efforts to arrange a test against Argentina in Doha, Qatar prior to the Scotland match had fallen through because there was too little time to make the necessary arrangements.

"We didn't have enough time to pull things together but it will happen," Brewer told the Fiji Times.

He said he was working on a project which could see Fiji playing regular tests in the Gulf state from 2012.[/b]

and Melhor, it will be great if we can get just a win on this tour.

The main obstacle facing us is the lack of preparation time. Most of the players in the squad are scattered in Europe and will only come together a week before our first match. So getting the combination, gameplan and the unity will be a nightmare.
Add to that the fact that we have a new coach going on his first tour and who will meet 80% of the players for the first time a week before his first ever match in charge.

The odds are heavily stacked against us.
[/b][/quote]

Do you follow the European Nations Championship? / European stage of World Cup Qualifying?

I have good news for you: Romania are on the brink of not going to a World Cup for the first time ever because they had a ridiculous policy of only selecting Romanian based players for the national team. The results have put Romania in 4th place of 6 at the half-way point with only 2 going to the World Cup. First and second are Georgia and Russia and Portugal are in 3rd. Romania have accepted that they are unliekly to qualify for New Zealand 2011. I repeat, this would be the World Cup without them. Fiji, in other words, should be licking their lips at the opportunity of playing Romania in Bucharest. It is definetly there for Fiji to get a win, no question about it.

Romania lost in February and March 2009 to Russia at home 19-28, 21-22 against Portugal and 28-23 in Tblisi vs Georgia.

Romania´s remaining games are as follows:

Feb 06 2010: Romania vs Spain
Feb 13 2010: Romania vs Germany
Feb 27 2010: Russia vs Romania

March 12 2010: Romania vs Georgia
March 20 2010: Portugal vs Romania

So Romania have Portugal and Russia as away matches! On top of that Georgia play in Romania where they are no strangers to winning. They are virtually already knocked out of RWC Qualification.
I doubt they can qualify.

Fiji´s match vs Scotland is to be a very winable match too. More difficult of course but, nonetheless, a game that Fiji can win Scotland will try their best to shut Fiji´s backs out fo the game. But they canno9t approach the game by playing 10 man rugby. Scotland has good backs but Fiji has better ones. Fiji also has some incredible forwards such as Qera and Rawaqa who are significantly better than the players Scotland has in their positions. In other words, Scotland cannot try to win by playing negative forward orientated rugby. It should be a fascinating game. Fiji has Nicky Little, Seramaia Baia and Napolioni Nalaga all doing very, very well at the moment for their clubs.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

There are a few reports floating around that Isa Nacewa has agreed to join up with Fiji from 2010 on and also for the Ireland test next month if needed. He'll be an excellent addition to Mike Brewer's squad if the reports are true.

 

[Juggernaut]

Saracens base Kameli Ratuvou has pulled out citing personal reasons.

Saracens are scheduled to play South Africa in a mid-week match on November 18 and Ratuvou is expected to feature for the club.

19-year old former England Under 20 rep Josh Matavesi, who plays for championship side Exeter Chiefs, has been called up to replace him.

----------------------------------

:rahh: Top clubs flexing their muscles once again.

and I dont know why the f**k the Fiji RU didnt call up Nacewa??

:rahh: :rahh: