Clermont fullback Setareki Tuicuvu will make his test debut this weekend after being named to start in the Flying Fijians Northern Rugby Tour opener against Scotland in Edinburgh.
Clermont fullback Setareki Tuicuvu will start for Fiji against Scotland. Photo: AFP
The 23-year-old is the only new face in the starting fifteen, with hooker Mesulame Dolokoto poised to earn his first cap off the bench.
Brive flanker Dominiko Waqaniburotu will captain the Flying Fijians for the first time in seven years, with the 32-year-old inheriting the leadership duties in Edinburgh after long-time skipper Akapusi Qera missed tour selection.
Dominiko Waqaniburotu has been appointed captain of the Flying Fijians. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Flying Fijians defeated Scotland 27-22 when the teams clashed in Suva last year but have only won two of their nine previous meetings, and have never won at Murrayfield in four attempts.
Head coach John McKee said Fiji are looking forward to the challenge of breaking their duck against a Scottish team that was beaten by Wales.
"Scotland showed last week against Wales that they are willing to shift the ball and play an up tempo game. Our defence will have to be top class to deny Scotland opportunities to score," he said.
"We had success against Scotland in 2017 in Fiji but that counts for nothing here. We will have to bring our best game if we want to achieve success, as anything less will not be good enough against this good Scotland team.
"Training this week has been good in preparation for this important test match against Scotland. The team can take confidence from our trainings and must now step up to impose our game plan under the intensity of test match rugby."
"Scotland have a strong set piece. This will be a key area of the game. We will need to match them in the scrum and lineout & stop their driving maul to be successful in this match."
Vereniki Goneva scores against Scotland in 2009. The Flying Fijians will are yet to win at Murrayfield in four attempts. Photo: AFP
Meanwhile a fit again Stuart Hogg is back to bolster Scotland as coach Gregor Townsend made nine changes to the side that were beaten by Wales last weekend.
"We have to be physical and accurate, play to our strengths and put them under pressure in areas they don't want to go into, to make sure the game is open for us but not for them," Townsend said.
Fiji team:
1. Campese Maafu, 2. Sam Matavesi, 3. Manasa Saulo, 4. Tevita Cavubati, 5. Leone Nakarawa, 6. Dominiko Waqaniburotu (c), 7. Peceli Yato, 8. Viliame Mata, 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Ben Volavola, 11. Vereniki Goneva, 12. Jale Vatabua, 13. Semi Radradra, 14. Metui Talebula, 15. Setareki Tuicuvu.
Reserves: Mesulame Dolokoto, Eroni Mawi, Kalivate Tawake, Albert Tuisue, Semi Kunatani, Henry Seniloli, Alivereti Veitokani, Eroni Vasiteri.
Scotland team:
1. Allan Dell, 2. Fraser Brown, 3. WP Nel, 4. Sam Skinner, 5.Grant Gilchrist, 6. Ryan Wilson, 7.Jamie Ritchie, 8. Matt Fagerson, 9. Greig Laidlaw (c), 10. Finn Russell, 11. Sean Maitland, 12. Pete Horne, 13. Alex Dunbar, 14. Tommy Seymour, 15. Stuart Hogg.
Reserves: Stuart McInally, Alex Allen, Simon Berghan, Jonny Gray, Josh Strauss, George Horne, Adam Hastings, Chris Harris
