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.
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 XV
1. Eroni Mawi
2. Tevita Ikanivere
3. Mesake Doge
4. Isoa Nasilasila
5. Temo Mayanavanua
6. Lekima Tagitagivalu
7. Elia Canakaivata
8. Viliame Mata
9. Simione Kuruvoli
10. Caleb Muntz
11. Jiuta Wainiqolo
12. Josua Tuisova
13. Sireli Maqala
14. Kalaveti Ravouvou
15. Salesi Rayasi
Replacements
16. Samuel Matavesi
17. Haereiti Hetet
18. Samuela Tawake
19. Mesake Vocevoce
20. Albert Tuisue
21. Sam Wye
22. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
23. Vilimoni Botitu
