(RUGBY HOUSE – SUVA)
The Vodafone Flying Fijians team for 2014 Italy v Fiji Test Match, Pacific Nations Cup and Rugby World Cup Qualifier to be held in June in Fiji.
The team marched into camp this week and will play against Italy on 7 June (ANZ Stadium), Tonga on 14 June (Churchill Park), Samoa on 21 June (ANZ Stadium) and Cook Islands on 28 June 2014 (Churchill Park).
Vodafone Flying Fijians Team
Jerry Yanuyanutawa ,Campese Ma’afa ,Sunia Koto ,Tuapati Talemaito ,Vili Veikoso ,Isei Colati ,Manasa Saulo ,Leroy Atalifo ,Wame Lewaravu ,Leone Nakarawa ,Api Ratuniyarawa ,Rupeni Nasiga ,Domoniko Waqaniburotu ,Api Naikatini ,Malakai Ravulo ,Akapusi Qera – Captain ,Nemani Nagusa ,Nikola Matawalu ,Nemia Kenatale ,Jonetani Ralulu ,Lepani Botia ,Adriu Delai ,Nemani Nadolo ,Vereniki Goneva ,Napolioni Nalaga ,Asaeli Tikoirotuma ,Waisea Nayacalevu ,Sireli Bobo ,Metuisela Talebula ,Jim Nagusa
Standby Players
Sione Kolo ,Nemia Soqeta ,Emori Waqa , Henry Seniloli , Jerry Burotu , Watisoni Votu , Samisoni Viriviri
Management
John McKee Head Coach
Aseri Rokoura Manager
Mosese Rauluni Assistant Coach
Andre Bell Assistant Coach
Alan Muir Technical Advisor
Alifereti Mocelutu Assistant Coach
Nacani Cawanibuka National Fitness Trainer
William Koong Team Medic & Physiotherapist
Speaking on behalf of Vodafone and the consortium of sponsors, Vodafone Fiji’s Sponsorship Manager Ligavatu Gukisuva expressed his delight and support for the team. “We look forward to seeing the team run on the field with their Vodafone branded attire,” he said. “Looking at the wealth of experience of the players selected today we are also rest assured that the Vodafone Flying Fijians will provide the necessary fire power to take on the Italians, Tongans, Samoans and the Cook Islanders next month,”
“We are proud to be empowering the team to be the best that they want to be on the playing field,” he added. Meanwhile arrangements for the four locally hosted international events are coming together. “There are certain guidelines and systems that need to be in place when hosting such events,” said Acting CEO of FRU, Dr Berlin Kafoa.
He said the team at Rugby House are now working overtime to ensure that the standards of hosting such matches are on par as well as to create a festival atmosphere at all the events.
“We are grateful for the assistance and guidance we have received to date from the International Rugby Board (IRB), officials from the various venues that are hosting the games, from our consortium of sponsors, our stakeholders and even the media,” Kafoa added. “We have exciting curtain raisers organised for each of the events and a host of activities at all four venues plus special crowd giveaways”.
Nadolo may take up kicking responsibilities
Vodafone Flying Fijians center and Crusaders wing, Nemani Nadolo is likely to take up the kicking responsibilities in the test match against Italy this weekend.
Flying Fijians backline coach Andre Bell said they may utilize the Crusaders wing as he has good goal kicking abilities.
Nadolo said he is ready if given the opportunity.
Meanwhile Scotland based Nikola Matawalu, Leone Nakarawa and Jerry Yanuyanutawa are expected to arrive in the country tomorrow.
The Flying Fijians training at the ANZ Stadium in Suva in preparation for the Test match against Italy this Saturday June 07th, 2014.
Rauluni impressed with commitment shown by players
Rauluni who will always be remembered for leading Fiji to the quarter finals of the 2007 Rugby World Cup said the players have stepped up as they prepare to take on Italy.
Rauluni who is the defence coach for Fiji says it’s tough when he is coaching some players he played with.
Captain Akapusi Qera, Wame Lewaravu, Sunia Koto and Sireli Bobo are some players he played with during the 2007 World Cup.
Meanwhile Chiefs winger Asaeli Tikoirotuma has joined the camp yesterday.
Tikoirotuma has also confirmed that he will be joining the English club Harlequins side at the end of the Super Rugby season where he will be earning $700,000 Fijians dollars a year.
| Games played between the Fiji and Italy | ||||
| 16-Nov-13 | Italy | 37 – 31 | Fiji | |
| 27-Nov-10 | Italy | 24 – 16 | Fiji | |
| 17-Jun-06 | Fiji | 29 – 18 | Italy | |
| 26-Nov-05 | Italy | 23 – 08 | Fiji | |
| 10-Nov-01 | Italy | 66 – 10 | Fiji | |
| 15-Jul-00 | Fiji | 43 – 09 | Italy | |
| 28-Aug-99 | Italy | 32 – 50 | Fiji | |
| 31-May-87 | Fiji | 15 – 18 | Italy | |
| 14-Jun-80 | Fiji | 16 – 03 | Italy | |
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| Games Played | 9 | Games Played | 9 | |
| *Games Won | 4 | *Games Won | 5 | |
| *Games Lost | 5 | *Games Lost | 4 | |
| Games Drawn | 0 | Games Drawn | 0 | |
| *Longest Winning Streak | 2 | *Longest Winning Streak | 2 | |
| *Longest Losing Streak | 2 | *Longest Losing Streak | 2 | |
| *Largest Points For | 50 | *Largest Points For | 66 | |
| *Largest Points Against | 66 | *Largest Points Against | 50 | |
| *Largest Winning Margin | 34 | *Largest Winning Margin | 56 | |
| *Largest Losing Margin | -56 | *Largest Losing Margin | -34 | |
| *Total Points For | 218 | *Total Points For | 230 | |
| *Avg Points For | 24.22 | *Avg Points For | 25.56 | |
| *Total Points Against | 230 | *Total Points Against | 218 | |
| *Avg Points Against | 25.56 | *Avg Points Against | 24.22 | |
| *Total Points Difference | -12 | *Total Points Difference | 12 | |
| *Avg Points Difference | -1.33 | *Avg Points Difference | 1.33 | |
| * = By Fiji | * = By Italy | |||
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POSSIBLE RR World Rankings outcome on Result
FIJ (on 74.21 points) at home -vs- ITA (on 72.04 points)
| Possible Outcome | Rating Point Exchange |
New FIJ Rating |
New ITA Rating |
Will ITA overtake FIJ? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| If FIJ win by 1-15 points | 0.483 | 74.69 | 71.56 | No |
| If FIJ win by more than 15 | 0.725 | 74.93 | 71.32 | No |
| If result is a draw | 0.517 | 73.69 | 72.56 | No |
| If ITA win by 1-15 points | 1.517 | 72.69 | 73.56 | Yes |
| If ITA win by more than 15 | 2.275 | 71.93 | 74.32 | Yes |
Source : RugbyRedefined.com
