On we go to week two of our immensely busy mid-year international schedule. Three games on tap this week, with the highlight surely the return of everyone’s favourite touring side.
FIJI vs JAPAN
Saturday, June 1, 03:40 GMT, Lautoka
Inoke Male’s Flying Fijians make their debut in the new Pacific Nations Cup as they host Japan at Churchill Park in Lautoka. With several top players unavailable with professional commitments and others training for the Sevens World Cup, they have still managed to field a competitive side. Gloucester star Akapusi Qera takes over the captaincy from discarded Deacon Manu, and forms a physical back row with Apisai Naikatini and Netani Talei.
In an interesting move, giant winger Nemani Nadolo has been selected at centre, where he could cause havoc with ball in hand. Out wide 37 year old Sireli Bobo has been parachuted in from Paris for his first cap since 2010, while Simeli Koniferedi fills in for unavailable Kini Murimurivalu.
Japan have made five changes, one enforced, from the side that were manhandled by Tonga. Teenage wing Yoshikazu Fujita has paid for poor tackling and is replaced by Yuta Imamura, a centre by trade. Yusuke Aoki and Kensuke Hatakeyama come in at hookerand tighthead prop, respectively, while Michael Broadhurst makes the unusual switch from openside flank to second row to allow Michael Leitch back into the side. Injury to Kosei Ono means that top prospect Yu Tamura will control the game from flyhalf.
Fiji are an entirely different beast from Tonga, but the game won’t be any easier for Japan. Nadolo has wreaked havoc on would-be tacklers in the Top League, and he could prove a handful even for the reasonably strong Japanese centres. If nothing else he should tie up defenders and make space out wide, which is danger time whoever is lurking out there. Expect Japan to wilt under the heat as Fiji takes this one by 10.
FIJI
Simeli Koniferedi; Adriu Delai, Nemani Nadolo, Leone Tabuarua, Sireli Bobo; Setareki Koroilagilagi, Nemia Kenatale; Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Tale Tuapati, Setefano Somoca; Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, Wame Lewaravu; Apisai Naikatini, Akapusi Qera (capt.), Netani Talei. RES: Viliame Veikoso, Campese Ma’afu, Manasa Saulo, Rupeni Nasiga, Malakai Ravulo, Nikola Matawalu, Jiuta Lutumailagi, Aisea Natoga.
JAPAN
Ayumu Goromaru; Yuta Imamura, Male Sa’u, Harumichi Tatekawa, Hirotoki Onozawa; Yu Tamura, Atsushi Hiwasa; Masataka Mikami, Yusuke Aoki, Kensuke Hatakeyama; Hitoshi Ono, Michael Broadhurst; Hendrik Tui, Michael Leitch, Takashi Kikutani (capt.). RES: Takeshi Kizu, Takuma Asahara, Hiroshi Yamashita, Toshizumi Kitagawa, Shoji Ito, Keisuke Uchida, Craig Wing, Kenki Fukuoka.
BARBARIANS vs BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
Saturday, June 1, 11:30 GMT, Hong Kong
What to make of this one? Realistically the Baa-baas have no hope of victory, but the additions of Sergio Parisse, Samu Manoa, and Jared Payne should spice things up a little, if nothing else. This nonsense in the media about a self-imposed drinking ban is exactly that, hopefully they’ll refrain from more an a couple on Friday night to give a better account than they did on Sunday.
After four years of waiting the Lions take to the field again and feature a star-studded lineup including kilted Kiwi Sean Maitland and towering Cardiff flyer Alex Cuthbert on the wings. Paul O’Connell captains alongside Scottish lighthouse Richie Gray in the engine room, and Dan Lydiate returns to test rugby after his last-minute recovery from an ankle break.
Local reports are that this game will be played in stifling heat, which should mean early work for the reserves of both sides, and plenty of burning lungs come the final quarter. Expect the Barbarians to put up a better fight than in London, but the Lions will kick off their tour in style and romp home to a 25 point victory.
BARBARIANS
Jared Payne; Takudzwa Ngwenya, Elliot Daly, Casey Laulala, Joe Rokocoko; Nick Evans, Dimitri Yachvili; Paul James, Schalk Brits, Martin Castrogiovanni; Marco Wentzel, Dean Mumm; Samu Manoa, Sam Jones, Sergio Parisse (capt.). RES: Leonardo Ghiraldini, Andrea Lo Cicero, Duncan Jones, Jim Hamilton, Imanol Harinordoquy, Kahn Fotuali’i, James Hook, Mike Tindall.
BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
Stuart Hogg; Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Sean Maitland; Owen Farrell, Mike Phillips; Mako Vunipola, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones; Richie Gray, Paul O’Connell (capt.); Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Toby Faletau. RES: Tom Youngs, Cian Healy, Matt Stevens, Alun Wyn Jones, Jamie Heaslip, Conor Murray, Jonathan Sexton, George North.
GOLDEN LIONS vs SAMOA
Saturday, June 1, 12:30 GMT, Johannesburg
In a warm-up match for their mini-tournament against Italy, Scotland, and South Africa, the Manu take on exiled Super Rugby side the Golden Lions at Ellis Park in what could be a tasty encounter. While high skills might not be the order of the day, big physicality and combativeness at the breakdown should be.
The Lions have lost most of their best players to other provinces, but still boast a half dozen or so players with Super Rugby experience in the starting lineup, and a few more on the bench. Shifty Namibian fullback Chrysander Botha is fun to watch, and both wingers are dangerous in space. The back row looks quite handy with Warren Whiteley returning from a stint with the Blitzbokke sevens side to captain the team.
Samoa have yet to name their side and several players have dropped out of the squad with injury and other issues, but should have enough firepower left over to take this one regardless of who steps out on the pitch. A lack of preparation time might hamper them somewhat, but a win by around 7 points sounds about right.
GOLDEN LIONS
Chrysander Botha; Deon van Rensburg, Stokkies Hanekom, Alwyn Hollenbach, Anthony Volmink; Marnitz Boshoff, Michael Bondesio; J.C. Janse van Rensburg, Robbie Coetzee, Ruan Dreyer; Gavin Annandale, Hugo Kloppers; Jaco Kriel, Warwick Tecklenburg, Warren Whiteley (capt.). RES: Francois du Toit, Jacques van Rooyen, C.J. van der Linde, Stephan Greeff, Willie Britz, Derick Minnie, Ross Cronje, Lionel Cronje, Dylan des Fountain, Ruan Combrinck.
SAMOA
Paul Williams (capt.); Sinoti Sinoti, Seilala Mapusua, Isaia Tu’ifua, Alesana Tuilagi; Ki Anufe, Junior Poluleuligaga; Sam Aiono, Manu Leiataua, James Johnston; Fa’atiga Lemalu, Charlie Baggott*; Ofisa Treviranus, Falemiga Selesele, Alafoti Fa’osiliva. RES: Ole Avei, Sakaria Taulafo, Logovi’i Mulipola, Hannes Ludick*, Jason Fraser*, Alatasi Tupou, Robert Lilomaiava, Brando Va’aulu.
*Wits University players drafted in as emergency cover
