David vs Goliath: Drua players to take on All Blacks in Fiji Flyers

It was another David vs. Goliath battle for the No. 10 team in world rugby.

The Fiji Flyers face a tough battle on almost every scorecard when they take on the All Blacks in San Diego on Saturday.

The Test match experience between the two sides stands out.

It will also be the deciding factor in the match and although some Fijian rugby fanatics believe Fiji will be able to pull off an upset, the Fijian side are rebuilding under new coach Scott Robertson.

While this is just wishful thinking, the reality is staring every Fijian rugby supporter in the face.

Judging from the Test match experience alone, the All Blacks have a lot of experience. On the 23rd match day, they have played a total of 616 Test matches.

Defender Beauden Barrett topped the list with 125 games, followed by vice-captain and number eight Ardie Savea (83), Anton Lienert-Brown (72), captain Scott Barrett (71) and brother Jordie Barrett (59).

On the other hand, the Fiji Flyers played an average of five Test matches, with players like Semi Radradra, captain Waisea Nacagilevu, Viliame Mata, Mesake Doge, Frank Lomani and Albert Tuisue playing an average of 10 to 15 Test matches.

Although the Fiji Flyers lost 45-32 to the Barbarians and beat Georgia 21-12 in their last two games, the All Blacks had two tough battles at home against fifth-placed England.

Saturday will mark the 12th meeting between the two teams, with thousands of Fijian fans from across the continent scheduled to watch the game at the Snapdragon Stadium.

This was also the first time the two teams played at a neutral venue since their first meeting in Suva in 1974, when the visiting team won by one point, 14 to 13.

Fiji will field 12 Drua players in the 23-match tournament, while 20-year-old young halfback and former New Zealand schoolboy rugby star Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula has been named Fiji’s head coach.

Armstrong-Ravula scored 106 points, a strong first year for Drua, ahead of Caleb Muntz.

“We know the challenges” – Byrne

Head coach Mick Byrne said the team would cope with the All Blacks’ “energetic and physical style of play”.

He stressed the need to build team cohesion in preparation for the biggest test in 2024.

He told FBC Sports after the team practiced at the yeshiva’s Carmel Creek camp on Wednesday that he is confident.

“In San Diego, we have a great opportunity to strengthen our team’s cohesion and the players have adapted well to the environment here,” he said.

“We know the challenges we face against the All Blacks but we will focus on our strengths and what we can bring to the game.”

Byrne said they have already made minor adjustments to some areas that were discovered during the preparation process.

“Physicality is a key aspect of our game plan. We work on improving our set-pieces and improving our defensive structure.”

Armstrong-Lavula’s head-to-head battle with All Blacks midfielder Damian McKenzie will undoubtedly provide a real test.

But it is expected that there will be an interesting battle between the two teams’ loose trios, with Fiji fielding youngsters Kitione Salawa and Lekima Tagitagivalu and veteran Viliame Mata against Savea, Luke Jacobson and Ethan Blackadder.

The battle in the back line is also worth looking forward to. The Fijian team sent out veteran Radradra as a winger, partnering with Jiuta Wainiqolo, while Inia Tabuavou from France partnered with Nayacalevu in midfield.

Defender Beauden Barrett will be a player to watch for the Australian national team as he boosted the team’s performance with a strong performance against England at Eden Park last week.

Robertson lists players who have not played for their country

The former Crusaders winning mentor nominated six players who have never played for their country, including Billy Proctor, who made his Test debut for the All Blacks at centre.

Proctor, who follows his older brother Matt in the All Blacks squad, was one of 23 uncapped players on match day, along with hooker George Bell, prop Pasilio Tosi, lock Sam Darry, forward Wallace Sititi and halfback Noah Hotham.

“They’ve earned their chance, they’re well prepared and ready to play Test rugby,” Robertson said.

“We have a lot of respect for the Fijian team because they are fast and strong and we are really looking forward to this game.

“It was a great week in San Diego. Our leaders fed off the energy from the young players and now our focus is on performance.”

The All Blacks’ matchday squad will feature eight players of Pacific Island descent, with Savea, Asafo Aumua, Tupou Vaa’i, Caleb Clarke and Sevu Reece in the starting 15.

On the bench were Pasilio Tosi, Wallace Sititi and Emoni Narawa.

Robertson made a total of 11 changes to the starting XI that played against England last week, but the team still retained continuity and experience.

Savea remains in the mix at No.8, top five eighth-half McKenzie will be making his 50th Test appearance, while bottom five Anton Lienert-Brown and fullback Beauden bring plenty of experience to the backline.

Wing Narawa returns to the All Blacks squad for the first time since 2023 when he played his first Test against Argentina.

The 25-year-old missed the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup campaign due to a herniated disc in his back.

Possible upset – Serevi

Despite the strength of the Fijian team, former Fiji Flyers and Fiji 7s legend Waisale Serevi still believes his countrymen can pull off an upset victory.

Serewi visited the team this week and said he was confident they could match the All Blacks in all competitions.

“I am always grateful for the opportunity to support our Flying Fijians,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

“I believe it will be a very exciting game and we have a good chance of beating our neighbours the All Blacks as they are also in a rebuilding phase right now.”

Serevi said the Fiji Flyers needed to get off to a good start and score early if they wanted to beat the All Blacks.

“If the guys start well, get points early, play hard, defend well in the first three or four periods, be patient on offense and defense, and play the full 80 minutes, we’re really going to have a good chance.”

He said the Test match against the All Blacks was the best measure of the team’s strength, which is also being rebuilt after the 2023 Rugby World Cup under new coach Byrne.

All Blacks Round 23: 1 Tamaiti Williams 2 Asafo Aumua, 3 Fletcher Newell 4 Scott Barrett (C) 5 Tupou Vaa’i 6 Luke Jacobson 7 Ethan Blackadder 8 Ardie Savea (VC) 9 Cortez Ratima 10 Damian McKenzie 11 Caleb Clarke 12 Anton Lienert-Brown 13 Billy Proctor 14 Sevu Reece 15 Beauden Barrett; Reserves – 16 George Bell 17 Ethan De Groot 18 Pasilio Tosi 19 Sam Darry 20 Wallace Sititi 21 Noah Hotham 22 Jordie Barrett (VC) 23 Emoni Narawa

Flying Fiji 23rd match: 1 Eroni Mawi 2 Tevita Ikanivere 3 Mesak Doji 4 Isso Nasirasila 5 Temo Mayanavanua 6 Lechima Tagitagivalu 7 Gideon Sarawa 8 William Mata 9 Frank Lomani 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Laura 14 Jude Brewery 15 Willimon Bottom; Reserves – 16 Zuriel Togiata 17 Haireti Hetet 18 Samu Tawake 19 Albert Tuisue 20 Elia Canakaivata 21 Simione Kuruvoli 22 Caleb Muntz 23 Sireli Maqala