Fiji, Samoa and Tonga set for tough tests this weekend

Another big weekend of rugby is in store for the top three Pasifika rugby teams this weekend.

Fiji take on England in round two of the Nations Championship, early on Sunday at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool.

Samoa will meet Georgia in their second pool game of the World Rugby Nations Cup, also on Sunday morning, in Chile.

Tonga meet Spain in Edmonton, Canada, also in their second Nations Cup match.

And to kick off the Matariki weekend here in New Zealand, the All Blacks host Italy in Wellington on Saturday afternoon in the second round of the Nations Championship.

Kick-off: 1:10am NZT, Sunday 12 July

Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, United Kingdom

Fiji head coach Senirusi Seruvakula has named just three Fijian Drua players in his starting lineup, as part of changes made to the team that lost to Wales in Cardiff last week.

An experienced forward pack, manned by some of the top Fijian players playing in Europe, have been given starting positions.

Notable is the return of veteran Levani Botia, one of the best jacklers in the game across Europe, who has been cosistent for La Rochelle in the French Top 14 rugby competition.

Botia has been named at number eight, a surprise move out of his usual blindside flanker position. He is joined by fellow France-based players Peceli Yato (6) and Lekima Tagitagivalu (7) as the loose trio for the clash.

The three Drua players in the starting lineup are prop Mesake Doge, lock Isoa Nasilasila and halfback Simione Kuruvoli.

Flyhalf Caleb Muntz gets a start at 10, utility back Vuate Karawalevu is on the wing while Kalaveti Ravouvou starts at 13, replacing the injured Semi Radradra.

Seruvakula said he has made changes upfront with a six-two bench to reflect what he expects from the English side.

He added getting possession off the set pieces will give them the chance to play their open brand of rugby, which they displayed to some success against Wales.

“We know it’s gonna be a tough competiton against the English players and we have to keep the momentum going, that’s why we load the forwards with a six-two bench,” he said.

“The work-ons has been on set pieces. We need to do our set-pieces with accuracy and speed. We also worked on our brand of rugby but first we need to do our set pieces first before we get to play our brand of rugby.

“Our offloading game is one of our biggest weapons, but we have to know when to play and when to keep possession.”

He said the side needed to take contact, secure the breakdown and build pressure instead of forcing passes.

“Our scrum and line-out need to improve. England are strong up front and we’ve been working hard on those areas this week.”

Seruvakula said the loss to Wales was a big lesson but they have learned quickly. He believes the performance showed Fiji can compete with Tier 1 nations.

“It was a good benchmark for us. We now know where we stand against Tier 1 opposition and there are plenty of lessons we can take into this week’s game,” he said.

“We have to be disciplined on both sides of the ball, be patient when we have possession, win our collisions and play our style of rugby.”

England have also named a strong lineup to face the Fijians, with head coach Ian Borthwick making two changes to the starting XV which faced South Africa in Johannesburg.

Henry Slade and Guy Pepper are in the lineup, while uncapped trio George Kloska, Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Noah Caluori are named amongst the replacements.

England Rugby said Jamie George will captain the side, with Ollie Chessum and Ellis Genge serving as vice-captains.

“We’ve had a really positive week of preparation, and the players have worked hard in training,” Borthwick said.

“We know Fiji will provide a tough challenge. They are a dangerous side who will demand the very best from us.

“It’s fantastic to be playing at Hill Dickinson Stadium, which is an outstanding venue. There is a real passion for rugby across the north of England, and we’re looking forward to experiencing a brilliant atmosphere in Liverpool.”

Flying Fijians: 1. Eron Mawi, 2. Tevita Ikanivere (captain), 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Tevita Ratuva, 5. Isoa Nasilasila, 6. Peceli Yato, 7, Lekima Tagitagivalu, 8. Levani Botia, 9. Simione Kuruvoli, 10. Caleb Muntz, 11. Jiuta Wainiqolo, 12. Josua Tuisuva, 13. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 14. Vuate Karawalevu, 15. Salesi Rayasi

Bench: 16. Sam Matavesi, 17. Livai Natave, 18. Peni Ravai, 19. Temo Mayanavanua, 20. Elia Canakaivata, 21. Pita Gus Sowakula, 22. Frank Lomani, 23. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula

Kick-off: 7am NZT, Sunday 12 July

Venue: Estadio Sausalito, Viña Del Mar

Manu Samoa captain Miracle Fai’ilagi said consistency is the key for the side, as they work on their 2026 campaign, with Georgia as their next opponent.

He said last weekend’s win against Hong Kong China was a good test for the side but expects a tougher physical challenge from Georgia.

Head coach Pisi has opted to stick to a consistent lineup for the third match in a row, which has seen them win against Chile and Hong Kong China so far.

He has kept the core of the team with captain Fa’ailagi, leading them again.

Hurricanes halfback Ereatara Enari is starting off, with tough loosie Abraham Papalii on the bench as an impact player.

Young winger Warren Solomona gets another chance out wide with former All Black prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen also on the bench for the second week in a row.

Georgia defeated Uruguay 41-34 last weekend in a tough battle.

Manu Samoa: 1. Aki Seiuli, 2. Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia, 3. Marco Fepulea’I, 4. Ben Petaia Nee-Nee, 5. Samuel Slade, 6. Mircale Fai’ilagi (captain), 7. Alamanda Motuga, 8. Iakopo Mapu, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. AJ Alatimu, 11. Tuna Tuitama, 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13. Duncan Paia’aua, 14. Warren Solomona, 15. Latrell Ah Kiong

Bench: 16. Richie Kelemere Asiata, 17. Jarred Adams, 18. Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 19. JayTagaloa Tuivati, 20. Abraham Papalii, 21. Connor Tupa’I, 22. Rodney Ioana, 23. Elisepeta Alofipo

Kick-off: 9:45am NZT, Sunday 12 July

Venue: Clarke Stadium, Edmonton

Tongas head coach Tuifu’a said from Edmonton on Friday morning they wary of the Spanish side they are meeting on Sunday.

He said Spain, who fought hard to claim a 42-all draw against Canada last weekend, are unpredictable, as they mix play up throughout the game.

“They’ll beat us if we give them easy field position and penalties,” the former ‘Ikale Tahi said.

“They are very fast on counter-attack, have a good kicking game and can also mix it upfront.

“We will need to start well, be consistent and use our possession. Ill discipline will not be good for us as they have gooc kickers.”

Tonga took almost 24 minutes into the game against Zimbabwe last weekend before they could score their first points and gave away a number of penalties.

Tuifu’a said the message to the players this week has been on starting with energy, composure, being disciplined and playing in the right side of the fields.

Keeping with that in mind, Tuifu’a and assistant Nili Latu have gone for retention of the core of the team that did the job against Zimbabwe last weekend in Denver.

Veteran prop Siegfried Fisihoi makes the starting lineup and will partner with Moli brothers Samiuela and Atu.

The rest of the forward pack remains the same, with the backline seeing some changes.

Veteran halfback Sonatane Takulua leads the team again, with flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini, John Tapueluelu, Fine Inisi, aniela Filimone and William Havili all retaining their spots.

Former Auckland Warriors player Solomone Kata is named at inside centre, pairing Inisi in midfield.

Tonga: 1. Siegfried Fisihoi, 2. Samiuela Moli, 3. Atu Moli, 4. Jimmy Tupou, 5. Veikoso Poliniati, 6. Samuel Tuitupou, 7. Semisi Paea (vice-captain) 8. Otunuku Pauta, 9. Sonatane Takulua (captain), 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. John Tapueluelu, 12. Solomone Kata, 13. Fine Inisi, 14. Taniela Filimone, 15. William Havili

Bench: 16. Sekope Lopeti Moli, 17. Phil Kite, 18. Paula Latu, 19. Mahorni Ngakuru, 20. Sione Tu’ipulotu, 21. Siaosi Nginingini, 22. Otumaka Mausia, 23. Sione Tui

Kick-off: 5:10pm NZT, Saturday 11 July

Venue: Hnry Stadium, Wellington

Fijian heritage player George Bower will make a return to Test rugby on Saturday, after he was named on the All Blacks bench to face Italy on Saturday afternoon in Wellington.

The Wellington-born prop is one of the changes made by head coach Dave Rennie and his coaching team to the side that won 34-32 against France in Christchurch last Saturday.

Bower is on the bench, with a likely second half appearance.

Rennie said he and his fellow selectors, Neil Barnes and Sir Graham Henry, have sought to balance continuity with opportunity in selecting the side.

There is a likely debut for Hurricanes utility back Josh Moorby and Auckland flanker Anton Segner, who are both named on the bench.

“There are a number of players and combinations who we felt deserved and would benefit from a second successive run, and other players who have earned the right to get their opportunity.

“We are excited for Josh and Anton to potentially earn their first All Blacks caps, following Xavier, Fehi (Fineanganofo) and Jamie’s (Hannah) debuts against France.”

Rennie said they won’t be taking Italy lightly, despite the fact the Italians have never beaten the All Blacks.

Tongan heritage player Tupou Va’ai returns to the starting lineup after having recovered from injury, to join Wallace Sititi, captain Ardie Savea, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Bower and Pasilio Tosi as Pasifika heritage players in the match-day 23.

All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, 4. Sam Darry, Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Wallace Sititi, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Ardie Savea (captain); 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Damian McKenzie

Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. George Bower, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Anton Segner, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Josh Moorby