Fiji head coach Mick Byrne has avoided making wholesale changes to his side that narrowly lost to Australia at the weekend, making one change in the pack and one in the backline to face Scotland in Suva on Saturday.
Veteran tighthead Peni Ravai has dropped out of the team that lost to the Wallabies 21-18, with Mesake Doge set to start after being on the bench in Newcastle. Samuela Tawake will feature from the bench as a replacement tighthead against Gregor Townsend’s side.
The change in the backline will see Bayonne centre Sireli Maqala, described by his coach as “world-class” start instead of Iosefo Masi in the No.13 shirt, with Castres’ Vilimoni Botitu providing cover for the outside backs on the bench.
The one other change to the bench comes at scrum-half, with Sam Wye taking Philip Baselala’s place.
Fiji
Scotland
Speaking ahead of the match, Byrne stressed the importance of matching Scotland’s physicality at the breakdown, saying: “We must make sure we’re ready for that.
“There were areas we improved in the second half last week, and we’ll keep working on those,” he added.
On his options in the midfield, the coach said: “When you have world-class players like Balewairiki, Tuisova, Maqala, and Botitu, it’s tough to choose.”
Fiji XV1. Eroni Mawi2. Tevita Ikanivere3. Mesake Doge4. Isoa Nasilasila5. Temo Mayanavanua6. Lekima Tagitagivalu7. Elia Canakaivata8. Viliame Mata9. Simione Kuruvoli10. Caleb Muntz11. Jiuta Wainiqolo12. Josua Tuisova13. Sireli Maqala14. Kalaveti Ravouvou15. Salesi Rayasi
Replacements16. Samuel Matavesi17. Haereiti Hetet18. Samuela Tawake19. Mesake Vocevoce20. Albert Tuisue21. Sam Wye22. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula23. Vilimoni Botitu
