Fiji coach Vern Cotter watches on during training. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Debut caps will be handed out when both Fiji and Samoa play their opening northern hemisphere tour tests this weekend with a former All Black among them.
Fiji 15s head coach Vern Cotter has named three debutants in the 23-member squad to play Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday.
And Manu Samoa coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua has named five new test players to face Italy in Padua, also on Sunday.
Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, who missed the opportunity while in camp during the mid-year internationals, has finally made his cut into the Flying Fijians run-on team.
Former Fijian 7s Sireli Maqala and Livai Natave are expected to earn their first caps off the bench.
Cotter said Maqala has been impressive during training and gives them a number of options to play in the backline.
"He has impressed us with his skill sets. He can kick well, with the ball he is strong and tough and he offers us a number of positions as he can play at number 10, 15, and at the centre," said Cotter.
Cotter said they have mapped out a game plan which the players need to follow in order to counter their opponents.
"We need to approach the game with a lot of humility. We are a tier 2 team playing a tier 1 team that had a game already in their bag (the 15-16 loss to Australia).
"We are slowly getting together but we want to get lessons from this, plus we have the Rugby World Cup next year so it is really important that we put ourselves up against a very good team and I'm sure from we will come away with individual and collective improvements to be made" said Cotter.
Former All Black Toomaga-Allen in Samoa side
For Manu Samoa, lock Brian Alainu'uese will start at number 4.
The former Samoa Under-20 international currently plays as a lock for Toulon in France.
The 28-year-old will partner the experienced Chris Vui to lock the scrum against Italy.
Three test former All Black Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (below) will come off the bench in his Manu Samoa debut.
Taleni Seu can play lock or a loose forward and is the other who is slated to run on for his test debut.
Tala Gray, who is 32, will also come off the bench to play as a loose forward, the same position he plays at professionally for Stade Francais in the Top 14 competition.
And Duncan Paia'aua is an Australian rugby union professional player who now plays for RC Toulon. He will run off the bench in ther centres.
Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
Flying Fijians squad to take on Scotland at 1am Sunday
1. Eroni Mawi
2. Sam Matavesi
3. Manasa Saulo
4. Temo Mayanavanua
5. Ratu Leone Rotuisolia *
6. Albert Tuisue
7. Levani Botia
8. Viliame Mata
9. Frank Lomani
10. Vilimoni Botitu
11. Vinaya Habosi
12. Kalaveti Ravouvou
13. Waisea Nayacalevu {c}
14. Setareki Tuicuvu
15. Kini Murimurivalu
Reserves
16. Tevita Ikanivere
17. Livai Natave *
18. Luke Tagi
19. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
20. Kitione Kamikamica
21. Peni Matawalu
22. Teti Tela
23. Sireli Maqala *
Manu Samoa squad to play Italy at 1am Sunday
1. Jordan LAY
2. Seilala LAM
3. Michael ALAALATOA (C)
4. Brian ALAINUUESE *
5. Chris VUI
6. Theo McFARLAND
7. Sa Jordan TAUFUA
8. Fritz LEE
9. Ereatara ENARI
10. Rodney IONA
11. Nigel AH WONG
12. Alai D'Angelo LEUILA
13. Ulupano Junior SEUTENI
14. Alapati LEIUA
15. Danny TOALA
16. Ma'atulimanu LEIATAUA
17. Nephi LEATIGAGA
18. Jeffery TOOMAGA-ALLEN *
19. Taleni SEU *
20. Talalelei GRAY *
21. Jonathan TAUMATEINE
22. Duncan PAIA'AUA *
23. Tomasi ALOSIO
Head Coach: Vaovasamanaia Seilala MAPUSUA
*denotes new caps.
