Leawere makes a few changes to the Swire Shipping Fijian Warriors team for the series decider

Swire Shipping Fijian Warriors Head Coach Kele Leawere has made four changes to his starting 15 as they get ready to take on Manuma Samoa in the Fiji Rugby Invitational Series decider at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Saturday.

Leawere had added more experience in the forward pack with Raikabula Momoedonu starting at the flanks and combining with Joji Kunavula who retains his position.

It will be a huge break of Nadroga half-back Taituisi Lulusinu who starts at number 9 ahead of Simi Kuruvoli who has been ruled out of the second match due to injury.

Kini Vosailagi had also been given the nod to start on the wings while Tevita Mociu has been named at fullback, relegating Jack Volavola onto the bench. 

Aisake Atani and Emmanuel Manu who missed out on the selection last week will come in as replacements off the bench in the front row while backs Jonathan Sovasova and Erami Baca will hope to get game time in the second half of the game.

Leawere said the side has a majority of young players who have been given the opportunity to play an international match.

“It’s important for the pathway of Fiji Rugby that we have depth and a healthy player chat therefore it’s important that we have confidence in these young players to come up and play at this competition which will really help in their development,” said Leawere.

He said that the experienced players from the Flying Fijians and Fijian Drua have added the much-needed leadership quality to the team which has been of benefit to the team as a whole.

Leawere further added “Having experienced players in the team is a blessing for us in terms of leadership. We need leaders to guide our young players and the experienced players have done a great job in this area.”

Leawere said despite the 60-10 win over Manuma Samoa there were areas that they needed to work on and improve on for the series decider.

“We kicked a lot of possession away, we had a lot of missed tackles, and this week we have been telling the players to go out there and play the ball around, build phases and retain the ball so we can score more tries” said Leawere.

Swire Shipping Fijian Warriors take on Manuma Samoa – 3pm while the gates open at 10am. There will be two Weet-bix Ravule Cup games which begins at 11am on Saturday.
 
Swire Shipping Fijian Warriors V Manuma Samoa

1. Livai Natave
2. Tevita Ikanivere
3. Joseva Nasaroa
4. Sailosi Vukalokalo
5. Chris Minimbi
6. Raikabula Momoedonu
7. Joji Kunavula
8. Ilikimi Torosi
9. Taitusi Lulusinu
10. Peni Kadralevu
11. Taniela Rakuro
12. Michael Naikotani
13. Apisalome Vota
14. Kini Vosailagi
15. Tevita Mociu

Reserves

16. Jone Naqiri
17. Aisake Atani
18. Emmanuel Manu
19. Lorima Nadakoro
20. Motukai Murray
21. Jonathan Sovasova
22. Erami Baca
23. Jack Volavola