Rugby Test Match: Fiji Take on the Irish

21.11.2009
Fiji v Ireland in Dublin

Venue: Croke Park

Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

Preview
The last time these two teams met Ireland game the Islanders a fearful beating. That was back in 2002. Ireland wasn't at its strongest on that day whilst Fiji face a team that has changed dramatically in the last seven years.

Ireland has predictably made many changes from the team that drew 20-20 with Australia last Sunday. Some old veterans have been drafted into this side, including D'Arcy, Cullen, Horgan and Trimble. This match against a struggling Fijian side is a good opportunity to try out some new combinations. Special interest will be on new fly half Sexton, who is being groomed to one day to replace the great O'Gara.

Fiji has made a number of changes to the team that lost to Scotland last weekend. They have a new front row whilst veteran Norman Ligairi returns at fullback. Prop Deacon Manu is unavailable due to his wife being about to have a baby

Despite Ireland's changes the team is probably just as strong as the team that came back strongly against Australia. I can't see them losing against a disorganised Fijian team that just hasn't played enough together this year.

Previous Encounters
16.11.2002 Ireland 64-17 in Dublin
18.11.1995 Ireland 44-8 in Dublin
19.10.1985 Ireland XV 16-15 in Dublin
09.06.1978 Ireland XV 8-0 in Suva
Fiji has never defeated Ireland or any Irish sides.

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Ireland 5th, Fiji 11th

Prediction: Ireland by 30 points

Teams

Ireland
15 Robert Kearney (Leinster) Age 24, 17 tests
14 Shane Horgan (Leinster) 31, 64
13 Brian O'Driscoll, Capt. (Leinster) 30, 93
12 Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster) 29, 42
11 Keith Earls (Munster) 22, 3
10 Jonathan Sexton (Leinster) 24, 1
9 Eion Reddan (Leinster) 29, 17
8 James Heaslip (Leinster) 25, 19
7 Denis Leamy (Munster) 28, 43
6 Stephan Ferris (Ulster) 24, 14
5 Paul O'Connell (Munster) 30, 63
4 Leo Cullen (Leinster) 31, 20
3 John Hayes (Munster) 36, 95
2 Jeremy Flannery (Munster) 31, 32
1 Thomas Court (Ulster) 29, 5
Replacements
16 Sean Cronin (Connacht) 23, 1
17 Anthony Buckley (Munster) 29, 13
18 Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster) 30, 56
19 S O'Brien (Leinster) 22, New cap
20 Thomas O'Leary (Munster) 26, 9
21 Patrick Wallace (Ulster) 30, 17
22 Andrew Trimble (Ulster) 25, 23
Head Coach: Declan Kidney

Trimble last played for Ireland v England in the Six Nations match, March 2008. Shane Horgan played only once for Ireland last season, coming on as a replacement in Ireland’s first game v Canada, in November. Leo Cullen goes back even further, last playing for Ireland v Argentina, 2^nd test in Buenos
Aires, in June 2007.

Fiji
15 - Norman Ligairi (Brive, France)
14 - Vereniki Goneva (Nadi)
13 - Gabiriele Lovobalavu (Toulon, France)
12 - Seremaia Bai, Capt. (Clermont Auvergne, France)
11 - Nasoni Roko (Yokogawa, Japan)
10 - Nicky Little (Padova, Italy)
9 - Mosese Rauluni (Saracens, England)
8 - Asaeli Boko (Nadroga)
7 - Akapusi Qera (Gloucester, England)
6 - Apolosi Satala (Gloucester, England)
5 - Ifereimi Rawaqa (World, Japan)
4 - Wame Lewaravu (London Welsh, England)
3 - Viliame Seuseu (Nadi)
2 - Viliame Veikoso (Nadi)
1 - Asaike Tarogi (Suva)
Replacements
16 - Isireli Ledua (Northland, Fiji)
17 - Graham Dewes (Esher RFC, England)
18 - Leone Nakarawa (Suva)
19 - Samu Bola (Suva)
20 - Waisale Vatuvoka (Naitasiri)
21 - Josh Matavesi (Exeter Chiefs, England)
22 - Timoci Nagusa (Ulster, Ireland)
Head Coach: Samuela Domoni

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