Niki Named for Nations Cup

Tigers Flying Fijian winger Vereniki Goneva has today been named in Fiji's extended squad for this year's Pacific Nations Cup.  This year sees Canada and the United States of America join the Fiji, Tonga and Japan as Samoa take a sabbatical to tackle a mini-tournament with South Africa, Scotland and Italy.

Also selected are London Irish prop Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Glasgow scum half Nikola Matawalu, Montpellier winger Timoci Nagusa and Gloucester's Akapusi Qera.  

Fiji's crazy schedule sees them play Japan in Lautoka on Saturday June 1st before taking on Canada in Ottawa only 4 days later on Wednesday June 5th.

Fiji squad: 
Adriu Delai, Iliesa Ratuva, Jolame Bera, Setefano Somoca, Leone Tabuarua, Tuapati Taleimaitoga, Watisoni Votu, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Iliesa Salusalu, Aporosa Kenatale, Wame Lewarave, George Campese Ma'afu, Kini Murimurivalu, Apisai Naikatini, Rupeni Nasiga, Aisea Natoga, Akapusi Qera, Nemia Kenatale, Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, Malakai Ravulo, Manasa Saulo, Save Tabakanalagi, Netani Talei, Viliame Veikoso, Sionasa Vunisa, Samuel Matavesi, Vereniki Goneva, Setareki Koroilagilagi, Jiuta Lutumailagi, Nikola Matawalu, Timoci Nagusa, Waisea Daveta, Nemani Nadolo, Seremaia Naureure and Saula Radidi.

IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2013 fixtures:
Saturday, May 25
Japan v Tonga
Canada v USA
Saturday, June 1
Fiji v Japan
Wednesday, June 5
Fiji v Canada (in Canada)
Saturday, June 8
Canada v Tonga
Saturday, June 15
USA v Tonga
Wednesday, June 19
Japan v Canada (in Japan)
Fiji v USA (in Japan)
Sunday, June 23
Japan v USA (in Japan)
Tonga v Fiji (in Japan)

International Round Up

At Twickenham 7 Tigers were in the 23 that succumbed 22-16 to the touring Wallabies.  Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Thomas Waldrom, Toby Flood and Manu Tuilagi all started in the "plum" kit whilst Ben Youngs featured from the bench. Tuilagi contributed a try, his 8th in 15 tests, and Flood scored with 3 penalties and also the conversion.  Notably this was the first test Tuilagi has scored in that England have lost.

In North Wales Steve Mafi played for Tonga as they bounced back from last weeks loss to Italy by beating the USA 22-13 thanks to two second half tries to overturn a 10-5 half time deficit. 

Martin Castrogiovanni and his Italy side put up a strong early showing against the All Blacks in Rome, keeping the score down to 13-7 at half time, and 23-10 when Castro departed on 56 minutes but ultimately the All Blacks again showed their class and scored 4 second half tries to win 42-10.

Marcos Ayerza played 72 minutes for Argentina as they lost out to France in Lille 39-22.  

Vereniki Goneva  played the whole game as Fiji were thrashed by an "Ireland XV" 53-0 at Thomund Park in Limerick. 

In the crowd, and shown on TV several times, for the Wales Samoa game was Logovi'i Mulipola and a gaggle of Tuilagis.  Brothers Henry, Andy and Freddie were joined by Freddie's two sons.  Samoa recorded a famous 26-19 victory that could have been much bigger.  Not really anything to do with Tigers but I couldn't resist including it!

Goneva to face Thomund Teest

The Flyting Fijians have retained the services of Tigers wing Vereniki Goneva for their match with Ireland at Thomund Park.  Rather arrogantly the Irish are refusing to cap this match, whether the IRB would allow this colonial 1980s attitude in a nation where they weren't based is an interesting thought, especially when we see Wales cap games against club sides.  It would have been strong government if the IRB had forced the Irish to cap this match.  Another consequence is that should Fiji pull off a shock they won't get any benefit in the World Rankings and equally Ireland wouldn't lose any points.  In a tight race for 8th place a shock here could have made a huge impact.

Shame on you Ireland.  Shame on you IRB.

Fiji: 15 Metuisela Talebula, 14 Simeli Koniferedi, 13 Vereniki Govena, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Watisoni Votu, 10 Jonetani Ralulu, 9 Nikola Matawalu, 8 Nemani Nagusa, 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Iliesa Ratuva, 5 Api Naikatini, 4 Leone Nakarawa, 3 Deacon Manu (captain), 2 Viliame Veikoso, 1 Jerry Yanuyanutawa.
Replacements: 16 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 17 Manasa Saulo, 18 Setefano Somoca, 19 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 20 Jovili Domolailai, 21 Kelemedi Bola, 22 Saula Radidi/Ravai Fatiaki, 23 Timoci Matanavou.

Ireland: 15 Denis Hurley, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip (captain), 7 John Muldoon, 6 Iain Henderson, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 David Kilcoyne.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Michael Bent, 19 Donncha Ryan, 20 Chris Henry, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Jonathan Sexton, 23 Simon Zebo.

International Round Up

11 Tigers were in action across 5 countries in 3 different matches this weekend.  8 Tigers were in action at Twickenham as England easily beat Fiji, 54-12, Toby Flood contributed 17 points from the boot as he converted 4 of England's 7 tries.  Manu Tuilagi was to the fore late on as he bagged a brace of tries as Fijian legs tired.  Tom Youngs, on his debut, played 65 minutes with 6 minutes over lapping his brother Ben who made his appearance from the bench on 59 minutes.  Dan Cole made way just after the hour mark with the match sown up whilst Geoff Parling, Thomas Waldrom and Fijian Vereniki Goneva played the whole match.

In Brescia Steve Mafi played the whole match for Tonga as they lost closely, 28-23, to Italy.  Martin Castrogiovanni was on the bench and played the last 20 minutes as the Azzuri closed out the match as they prepare to face the All Blacks and the Australians in the next two weeks.

The happiest Tiger of the weekend will definitely be Marcos Ayerza.  Not only did he make his first major start for the Pumas for three years but he was on the winning side as Argentina won in Wales for only the second time, the first 11 years earlier to the day, 26-12.  A superb second half saw the Pumas score two tries as they blew away a Welsh side leading 9-6 at the half.  Marcos played virtually the whole match only making way on 79 minutes to give Bruno Postiglioni a first test match outside Argentina.

Goneva to face England at Twickenham

Vereniki Goneva will play opposite fellow Tiger Manu Tuilagi as he is named in the centres for Fiji's tour match at Twickenham on Saturday. Despite featuring mainly on the wing for Tigers Goneva is no stranger to the centre having won 10 of his 26 Fijian caps there and playing regularly in the position for Tarbes last season.

Goneva's inclusion brings the number of Tigers on show at Twickenham to 8 with 7 starting.

Other familiar names are Exeter's Sireli Naqelevuki and Gloucester's Akapusi Qera.  Llanelli's Deacon Manu captains from tighthead prop.  


Fiji: 15 Simeli Koniferedi, 14 Samu Wara, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Sireli Naqelevuki, 11 Watisoni Votu, 10 Metuisela Talebula, 9 Nicola Matawalu, 1 Ratu Makutu, 2 Viliame Veikoso, 3 Deacon Manu, 4 Leone Nakawara 5 Apisolame Ratuniyarawa, 6 Api Naikatani, 7 Malaki Ravulo, 8 Akapusi Qera
Replacements: 16 Seremaia Naureure, 17 Setafano Samoca, 18 Manasa Saulo 19 Sekonaia Kalou, 20 Iliesa Ratuva, 21 Kelemedi Bola, 22 Josh Matavesi, 23 Ravai Fatiaki

Six Appeal

Tom Youngs will make his England debut against Fiji this Saturday, and will be joined by 5 clubmates after Stuart Lancaster today revealed his starting XV.  Dan Cole packs down alongside Youngs at tighthead, whilst Geoff Parling is at lock, kiwi ancestry buff Thomas Waldrom wears 8.  In the backs Manu Tuilagi returns to his usual position of outside centre whilst Toby Flood retains the fly half berth.  Tom's brother Ben Youngs is also named on a bench that features uncapped forwards Mako Vunipola (Saracens) and Joe Launchberry (Wasps).

England:
15. Alex Goode
14. Charlie Sharples
13. Manu Tuilagi
12. Brad Barritt
11. Ugo Monye
10. Toby Flood
9. Danny Care
1. Joe Marler
2. Tom Toungs
3. Dan Cole
4. Tom Palmer
5. Geoff Parling
6. Tom Johnson
7. Chris Robshaw (c)
8. Thomas Waldrom

BENCH: Paice, Vunipola, Wilson, Launchberry, Wood, B.Youngs, Farrell, Brown.

Magnificent 7 Tigers in England side

England have released 10 players, including Tiger Anthony Allen, from their squad and in the process revealed the 23 for the Fiji test.  7 Tigers have been named: Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Thomas Waldrom, Ben Youngs, Toby Flood, Manu Tuilagi and debutant Tom Youngs.  Other headlines are potential debuts for Mako Vunipola of Saracens and Joe Launchberry of Wasps.

Forwards (13):
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Tom Palmer (London Wasps), David Paice (London Irish), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers), David Wilson (Bath Rugby), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Backs (10):
Brad Barritt (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers), Alex Goode (Saracens), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby), Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Goneva named in Fijian tour squad

The Fijian Rugby Union has today named the squad for the Flying Fijians 4 game November tour, including Tigers dynamic new winger Vereniki Goneva.  There are 2 capped internationals against England and Georgia plus a mid-week game against Gloucester.  There is also the non-cap game against Ireland.  In some 1970s throw back Ireland has decided that the Fijians aren't worthy of a test game, even though there is no other Ireland match that weekend.  Standard arrogance from the Irish, yet still a disgrace.  I wonder if the Dublin based IRB would have allowed another team to protect itself from losing ranking points before the December Rugby World Cup draw.

http://www.fijilive.com/sports/rugby/news/2012/09/36-named-in-flying-fijians-nov-tour-squad/29136.Fijilive

TOUR FIXTURES:
11/10 - England
11/13 - Gloucester
11/17 - Ireland A
11/24 - Georgia

FORWARDS:
Campese Ma'afu (Cardiff Blues)
Penijamini Makutu (Nadroga)
Vasi Rarawa (Suva)
Seremaia Naureure (Nadroga)
Tale Tuapati (Southland)
Vili Veikoso (Suva)
Deacon Manu (Llanelli Scarlets)
Manasa Saulo (Suva)
Setefano Somoca (Nadroga)
Tevita Cavubati (Tasman)
Seko Kalou (Nadroga)
Apisai Naikatini (Toyota)
Leone Nakarawa (Tailevu)
Api Ratuniyarawa (North Harbour)
Josefa Domolailai (Pau)
Iliesa Ratuva (Nadroga)
Malakai Ravulo (North Harbour)
Waqabaca Kotobalavu (Lautoka)
Nemani Nagusa (Nadroga)
Netani Talei (Edinburgh)

BACKS:
Kelemedi Bola (Lautoka)
Nemia Kenatale (Southland)
Nikola Matawalu (Glasgow)
Jonetani Ralulu (Nadroga)
Metuisela Talebula (Bordeaux)
Josh Matavesi (Worcester)
Josaia Lotawa (Suva)
Ravai Fatiaki (Worcester)
Vereniki Goneva (Leicester)
Watisoni Votu (Lautoka)
Timoci Matanavou (Toulouse)
Maikeli Mocetadra (Suva)
Aisea Natoga (Nadroga)
Waisea Nayacalevu (Stade Francais)
Samu Wara (Western Force)
Simeli Koniferedi (Nadroga)