Fijiana coach Senirusi Seruvakula has made six changes to the starting line-up that beat Wahine Maori 32-10 last Friday for today’s match against Canada in a game that will mark the home side’s 18th test since their debut in 2006 and their first at home since 2019.
The changes sees the inclusion of six members of Fiji’s RWC Sevens 2022 squad in the match-day squad, four of whom are in the starting line-up.
In the front row, Seruvakula has retained the combo of Joma Rubuti, Bitil Tawake and Mereoni Vonosere. In the second row, Merevesi Ofakimalino comes in to partner Asinate Serevi while the back row remains unchanged as well with Karalaini Waisewa, Ema Adivitaloga and skipper Sereima Leweniqila at the back of the scrum.
Lavena Cavuru, one of four members of Fiji’s RWC Sevens 2022 players in the run-on line-up starts at scrumhalf, alongside Merewalesi Rokouono. Raijieli Laqeretabua and Sesenieli Donu – another sevens player – form a new centre pairing. Vitalina Naikore retains her place on the wing after her hat-trick last week with two other sevens players in Ana Maria Naimasi and Alowesi Nakoci completing the back three.
Two other RWC Sevens 2022 players in captain Rusila Nagasau and Raijieli Daveua have been named on the bench.
The match kicks off at 6pm at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.