Experienced lock Leone Nakarawa will captain the Flying Fijians in Saturday's second test against the All Blacks, with regular skipper Levani Botia failing to recover from a knee injury.
Leone Nakarawa will captain Fiji in Hamilton. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Coach Vern Cotter has made four changes to the starting fifteen that was beaten 57-23 in Dunedin. France-based Eneriko Buliruarua replaces Botia at second-five, after making his test debut off the bench last weekend.
Australian based halfback Frank Lomani is restored to the number nine jersey after arriving into camp on Tuesday, while Setareki Tuicuvu starts on the right wing in place of Eroni Sau.
"Lomani coming in brings his experience, it looks like we are playing in wet conditions so his experience in terms of when to go forward, stop, kick and control the play will be very important" said Cotter.
Fiji halfback Frank Lomani. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Vinnie Wylie
"Tuicuvu is very powerful, we know he's strong, very quick and he also plays fullback so if there is a bit more kicking in the game, since it will be wet, he has the experience to take the ball if All Blacks start kicking down the line. I feel it's the strength we need for this game."
There's only one change to the starting forward pack with Peceli Yato replacing Albert Tuisue at number eight, after the London Irish backrower picked up a minor injury.
"Peceli has been given the notch and I know he is a good player. I know that Albert will give us something off the bench because we didn't get as much as we wanted off the bench in the last match."
Levani Botia watched on from the sideline during Fiji's team training on Thursday morning before departing to do a pool recovery session.
Glasgow Warriors lock Nakarawa will earn his 64th test cap on Saturday night and Cotter said he gave the Olympic gold medal winner a heads-up that he would be leading the team in Hamilton.
"He has already been looking after the line-outs and now he takes on a wider leadership role of the whole team but he does that naturally with his excellent leadership skills."
Fiji coach Vern Cotter watches on during training. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Queensland Reds halfback Moses Sorovi and Brisbane based first five Teti Tela are likely to earn their first test caps off the bench, after joining the team from Australia, alongside Lomani.
Vern Cotter said the team has put a lot of emphasis on shoring up their defence, which was exposed in the first test loss.
"We are very unhappy that we got 57 points scored against us. We felt that we scored three tries and normally when we score three tries against any opposition, it should be close to winning," he said.
"It's because we allowed those soft tries, we had a good look at how we can defend. All Blacks have a more powerful pack for this weekend and they will apply pressure so it's up to us to get our heads up and make sure that we defend our line with courage and passion."
Fiji squad:
1. Peni Ravai, 2. Sam Matavesi, 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Temo Mayanavanua, 5. Leone Nakarawa (c), 6. Johnny Dyer, 7. Mesulame Kunavula, 8. Peceli Yato, 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Ben Volavola, 11. Nemani Nadolo, 12. Eneriko Buliruarua, 13. Waisea Nayacalevu, 14. Setareki Tuicuvu, 15. Kini Murimurivalu.
Reserves : 16. Mesulame Dolokoto, 17. Eroni Mawi, 18. Leeroy Atalifo, 19. Albert Tuisue, 20, Kitione Kamikamica, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Teti Tela, 23. Manasa Mataele.
