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Manu Samoa during training.
photo: Manu Samoa Facebook
The international rugby schedule continues this weekend with Samoa, the Fiji national team and the All Blacks all set to take part.
Manu Samoa will take on Italy at Apia Park on Friday night.
Theo McFarland will be captain of the team, which includes five players who did not represent their country in Round 23: Marco Fepuleai, Murphy Taramai, Sebastion Visinia, Lolani Faleiva and Afa Moleli.
Both Fiji and the Flying Fijians will compete on Saturday.
Fiji Flyers coach Mick Byrne has selected four debutants for Saturday morning’s clash against Georgia.
Fluidized bed bacteria According to reports, Kitione Salawa, Peni Dakuwaqa and Inia Tabuavou will start; while Elia Canakaivata will come off the bench.
Earlier this week, Byrne said preparations were going well and the people of Georgia were doing “remarkable work.”
The two teams will face off at the Adjarabet Arena on Saturday at 4am Fiji time.
That evening, Fiji will play Wallaroo in Sydney.
Fiji XV coach Mosese Rauluni says his players have improved since last month’s series against Japan but time will tell when they face Australia.
The team had one loss and one win against Japan and faced Australia at the Allianz Stadium.
Lauruni said while Wallaroo people have been struggling, Fijians must not take it lightly.
“We have to work together,” he said.
“The girls have trained very well; they have improved a lot since the game against Japan.”
He said the Wallaroo people were in a stage of change, similar to the Fijians.
“They are a team to be reckoned with… They have lost all the Test matches so far but they are still strong.”
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson.
photo: Andrew Konaga/www.photosport.nz
Also on Saturday, the All Blacks take on England in Dunedin in their first match under new head coach Scott Robertson.
Robertson selected Damian McKenzie in the front five over former World Player of the Year Beauden Barrett, with Blues Super Rugby winner Stephen Perofeta at fullback.
Robertson said Perofeta’s recent performances have been impossible to ignore.
“He’s in great form. Hit the high ball well. Played great. Just two weeks ago we played a Test match in the (Super Rugby) finals and Boden was able to play his part, covering 10 and 15.”
Australia will face Wales at the Allianz Stadium, which kicks off Australia’s 2024 World Cup campaign, while also playing doubleheaders against Fiji and Australia.
The Under-20 Championship (secondary level) will also continue. Samoa will face Japan on Monday morning.
Rugby kick-off times (all times New Zealand time):
Friday:
Samoa vs. Italy, Apia Park, 4 p.m.
Saturday:
Georgia vs. Fiji, Adjarabet Stadium, 4am
USA vs. Romania, SeatGeek Stadium, 12 p.m.
Australia vs. Fiji (Women), Allianz Stadium, 5:55pm
New Zealand vs England, Forsyth Barr Stadium, 6:05pm
Australia vs Wales, Allianz Stadium, 8:45pm
Japan vs. Maori All Blacks, Toyota City Stadium, 9 p.m.
Sunday:
South Africa vs Ireland, Loftus-Furthfield, 3am
Argentina vs. France, Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, 7am
Chile vs. Hong Kong, Financial Stadium, 7am
Canada vs. Scotland, TD Place Stadium, 9 a.m.
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