
Josh Matavesi, who plays his club rugby for Welsh regional side the Ospreys, will start for Fiji against Wales in Saturday's one-off international at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
Fly-half Matavesi missed last week's tour-opening 40-15 defeat by France in Marseille through injury but was included Wednesday alongside scrum-half Nikola Matawalu of in-form Scottish team Glasgow in a side named by Fiji coach John McKee on Wednesday.
Former Gloucester No 8 Akapusi Qera will captain the Pacific Islanders.
McKee has made several changes to his back division where Matavesi replaces Jonetani Ralulu and Vereniki Goneva, of English giants Leicester, joins Nemani Nadolo, who has come in for Lepani Botia, in midfield.
Wings Asaeli Tikoirotuma and Waisale Nayacalevu have take over from Watisoni Votu and Alipate Ratini. Both Ratini and Botia cannot be in Cardiff for personal reasons, McKee said Wednesday.
"I am very happy with the squad I have been able to name for this match," McKee was quoted by the espnscrum.com website as saying.
"The return of Goneva to the team and Nadolo to the starting line-up adds strength and experience to our backline.
"Josh Matavesi, who unfortunately was unavailable for the France match due to injury, will be looking to make his mark in the playmaker position in this important match, less than 12 months from when these two teams will meet at the same venue at the 2015 Rugby World Cup."
Fiji, pool opponents for Wales in next year's World Cup, drew 16-16 on their last visit to the Millennium Stadium four years ago and famously knocked Wales out of the 2007 edition with a stunning 38-34 win in Nantes.
But their last meeting, at the 2011 World Cup in Hamilton, New Zealand, saw Wales thrash Fiji 66-0.
Fiji (15-1)
Metuisela Talebula; Waisea Nayacalevu, Vereniki Goneva, Nemani Nadolo, Asaeli Tikoirotuma; Joshua Matavesi, Nikola Matawalu; Akapusi Qera (capt), Masi Matadigo, Dominiko Waqaniburotu; Api Ratuniyarawa, Leone Nakarawa; Manasa Saulo, Sunia Koto, Campese Ma'afu
Replacements: Tuapati Talemaitoga, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Isei Colati, Tevita Cavubati, Malakai Ravulo, Henry Seniloli, Jonetani Ralulu, Timoci Nagusa
Source: AFP
GMT 10:15 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Brewers make offer to Japanese pitcher DarvishGMT 11:51 2018 Monday ,22 January
Jos Buttler hailed as ‘the difference’ between England and Australia in tourists’ winGMT 11:38 2018 Monday ,22 January
New Zealand to bowl in first T20 against PakistanGMT 13:13 2018 Friday ,19 January
New Zealand beat Pakistan by 15 runs to seal series sweepGMT 07:19 2018 Friday ,19 January
Man Utd set to make Sanchez highest-paid Premier League playerGMT 13:43 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Ben Stokes ‘delighted’ to be cleared to play for England againGMT 10:25 2018 Monday ,15 January
Roy record powers England to opening victory over AustraliaGMT 10:15 2018 Monday ,15 January
India thrash Aussies in U19 World Cup

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor