Fiji’s Gabiriele Lovobalavu tackles Australia’s Will Genia during the Rugby World Cup Pool A
Thursday, 11:45pm
Fiji v Wales
H 7, D 41, A 1.18
Wales made three injury-enforced changes to its depleted back division and kept the same pack for the Rugby World Cup game against Fiji tomorrow.
Fullback Matthew Morgan, center Tyler Morgan and winger Alex Cuthbert were brought in yesterday to a back line that lost Scott Williams and Hallam Amos to tournament-ending injuries in the 28-25 win over England on Saturday.
Williams and Amos became the fifth and sixth Welsh backs ruled out of the World Cup this month, while fullback Liam Williams is unavailable against Fiji because he is undertaking the graduated return-to-play protocols after a head knock against England.
Despite just a five-day turnaround, Wales coach Warren Gatland chose the same set of forwards from the grueling match at Twickenham. No. 8 Taulupe Faletau and flanker Dan Lydiate will make their 50th appearances for Wales, which goes for its third straight Pool A win.
“It is important we build on the success and momentum from last weekend and take that into Thursday,” Gatland said.
Props Aaron Jarvis and Samson Lee were named as replacements for the second straight match as they look to fully recover from calf problems. Versatile back James Hook is also among the reserves after being called into the squad on Monday.
Fiji were forced to change both of its wingers after Waisea Nayacalevu was ruled out of the tournament because of a knee injury sustained against Australia last week and Nemani Nadolo was suspended for a dangerous tackle near the end of the same game. They were replaced by Timoci Nagusa, the top try scorer in this season’s French league with Montpellier, and Aseli Tikoirotuma.
And in another blow for the Fijians, scrumhalf Nikola Matawalu missed out after hurting his back against Australia.
There were six changes in all by Fiji for the game at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, where captain Akapusi Qera will be the third player to win 50 caps for Fiji after Nicky Little (71) and Seremaia Bai (50). AP / Oddschecker.com
lineups
Wales: Matthew Morgan, Alex Cuthbert, Tyler Morgan, Jamie Roberts, George North, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Taulupe Faletau, Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate, Alun-Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies, Tomas Francis, Scott Baldwin, Gethin Jenkins. Reserves: Ken Owens, Aaron Jarvis, Samson Lee, Luke Charteris, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, James Hook.
Fiji: Metuisela Talebula, Timoci Nagusa, Vereniki Goneva, Lepani Botia, Aseli Tikoirotuma, Ben Volavola, Nemia Kenatale; Netani Talei, Akapusi Qera (captain), Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Leone Nakarawa, Tevita Cavubati, Manasa Saulo, Sunia Koto, Campese Maafu. Reserves: Viliame Veikoso, Peni Ravia, Leeroy Atalifo, Nemia Soqeta, Malakai Ravulo, Henry Seniloli, Joshua Matavesi, Kini Murimurivalu.
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