Fiji's Vilimoni Delasau (L) will start against Australia. Photo / Reuters
MONTPELLIER - Fiji have elected to rest their top players for Sunday's World Cup match against Australia and save them for their final Pool B game against Wales.
Fiji coach Ilie Tabua made 11 changes on Friday to the starting team that beat Canada 29-16 in Cardiff last
week as part of a strategy he hopes will give the Pacific Islanders their best chance of reaching the quarter-finals.
Fiji can make the knockout stages if they win either of their remaining two games but Tabua believes their best approach is to play their top side against Wales.
"This is the best team that we can name at this moment. It's the best team for us for our long term plan," Tabua told reporters.
Fiji won their first two games, against Japan and Canada, in the space of four days but Tabua had said he wanted to give them a rest and freshen them up for the last game against Wales in Nantes on Sept. 29.
The only four players retained from the starting side against Canada are lock Ifereimi Rawaqa, wings Isoa Neivua and Vilimoni Delasau, and inside centre Seremaia Bai, who will take over the captaincy from Mosese Rauluni.
Fiji were beaten 49-0 by Australia in June but Tabua, who represented both countries at different World Cups during his playing career, insisted he had not conceded defeat by choosing a second-string team.
"It's a new look XV but they are playing for Fiji, they are wearing the Fiji colours and it's a World Cup," he said.
"On paper you think that this is a weaker side, but gentlemen these people are representing Fiji.
"This is a World Cup it's not some Mickey Mouse game."
Fiji:
15-Norman Ligairi, 14-Vilimoni Delasau, 13-Maleli Kunavore, 12-Seremaia Bai (captain), 11-Isoa Neivua, 10-Waisea Luveniyali, 9-Jone Daunivucu, 8-Jone Qovu, 7-Aca Ratuva, 6-Netani Talei, 5-Ifereimi Rawaqa, 4-Isoa Domolailai, 3-Henry Qiodravu, 2-Vereniki Sauturaga, 1-Alefoso Yalayalatabua.
Replacements: 16-Bill Gadolo, 17-Jone Railomo, 18-Wame Lewaravu, 19-Sisa Koyamaibole, 20-Mosese Rauluni, 21-Gabiriele Lovobalavu, 22-Seru Rabeni.
- REUTERS
