TOKYO: Two-time Super Rugby winner Seta Tamanivalu has been brought into the Flying Fijians’ 23rd match for the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup The final, with winger Manas Mataele ruled out ahead of the match in Tokyo.
Tamanivalu joined the team Japan this week, with midfielder Kalaveti Ravouvou ruled out of the decider due to injury. 34-year-old Tamanivalu, who once played for All black peopleis now set to represent Fiji for the first time since PNC 2025.
Mataele was initially named to start on the wing, but winger Drue was replaced in the rush by debutant Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. Tamanivalu will wear the number 23 jersey and Isikeli Rabitu will round out the strikers in the number 23 jersey.
The rest of the Flying Fijians squad remains unchanged, with 14 of the 15 starters playing for Fijian Drua at some stage. Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is the only one not in the first XV, while Vilikesa Nairau is another one on the bench.
Tevita Ikanivere captained the Flying Fijians to back-to-back PNC titles and the skipper will be looking to do so again in the 2026 edition. Fiji have beaten Japan in the last two finals, including the clash in Utah last year.
Penny Ravai starts at loose prop, ready to pack in the front row with Ikanivere and solid support Mesake Doge. Mesake Vocevoce and emo Mayanavanu are the two locks, and the back row consists of an All-Star trio.
Kitione Salawa scored after just 21 seconds in the semi-final victory Canada last weekend, while openside Motikiai Murray was awarded the man of the match award. Number 8 Elia Canakaivata is considered the best Drew of all time, although he now plays abroad.
Frank Lomani and Caleb Muntz make up the halves, with Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula moving into a familiar fullback role. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Virimi Vakatawa are the centres, with Joji Nasova on one win and Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens on the other.
“Our goal is clear, we are here to win,” Ikanivere told reporters after training in Tokyo.
“We prepared, we did everything we could during this week to prepare well.”
Interim Fiji coach Senirusi Seruvakula added: “The game is very important for us… we, like the Japanese team, want to win and also encourage the players we have – they want to show their talents so they can be considered for the upcoming Nations (championship) in November.”
Two-time Super Rugby winner Seta Tamanivalu has been brought into the Flying Fijians’ matchday 23 for the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup final, while winger Manas Mataela has been ruled out just before the match in Tokyo.
Tamanivalu joined the squad in Japan this week, with midfielder Kalaveti Ravouvou ruled out of the decider due to injury. Tamanivalu, 34, who once played for the All Blacks, will now represent Fiji for the first time since the 2025 PNC.
Mataele was initially named to start on the wing, but Drua was replaced in the run-on side by debutant Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. Tamanivalu will wear the number 23 jersey and Isikeli Rabitu will round out the strikers in the number 23 jersey.
The rest of the Flying Fijians squad remains unchanged, with 14 of the 15 starters playing for Fijian Drua at some stage. Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is the only one not in the first XV, while Vilikesa Nairau is another on the bench.
Tevita Ikanivere captained the Flying Fijians to back-to-back PNC titles and looks set to do so again in the 2026 edition. Fiji have beaten Japan in the last two finals, including the clash in Utah last year.
Penny Ravai starts at loose prop, ready to pack in the front row with Ikanivere and solid support Mesake Doge. Mesake Vocevoce and emo Mayanavanu are the two locks, and the back row consists of an All-Star trio.
Kitione Salawa scored after just 21 seconds in last weekend’s semi-final win over Canada, while the outspoken Motikiai Murray was awarded man of the match honours. Number 8 Elia Canakaivata is considered the best Drew of all time, although he now plays abroad.
Frank Lomani and Caleb Muntz make up the halves, with Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula moving into a familiar fullback role. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Virimi Vakatawa are the centres, with Joji Nasova on one win and Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens on the other.
“Our goal is clear, we are here to win,” Ikanivere told reporters after training in Tokyo.
“We prepared, we did everything we could during this week to prepare well.”
Interim Fiji coach Senirusi Seruvakula added: “The game is very important for us… we, like the Japanese team, want to win and also encourage the players we have – they want to show their talents so they can be considered for the upcoming Nations (championship) in November.”
