Fiji name strong squad to face Australia

Fiji head coach John McKee has named a powerhouse 23 to face Australia in their opening Pool D match against Australia on Saturday.

Six players in Fiji's starting line-up also started the last time the Flying Fijians took on Australia in a World Cup match, on 23 September, 2015.

Harlequins bound Vereniki Goneva is the oldest member of the squad at 35 years and 167 days  and features on the bench. Should he come off the bench he will join four players in the starting line-up (Campese Ma'afu, Leone Nakarawa, Dominiko Waqaniburotu and Kini Murimurivalu) in participating in a third World Cup.

McKee has thrown somewhat of surprise naming regular midfielder Semi Radradra on the wing, a position that will not be foreign to the Bordeaux star.

Campese Ma'afu and Ben Volavola were both born in Australia with the former being named after Australia winger David Campese after the Wallaby's performance in the Grand Slam tour of Europe in 1984.

Campese Ma'afu's older brother Salesi competed in RWC 2011 for Australia.

Three of the four players that won an Olympic gold medal in sevens in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 are in Fiji's starting line-up: Leone Nakarawa, Viliame Mata and Josua Tuisova. Of that group, Semi Kunatani is not in the match-day squad.

Fiji's Team to face Australia

1. Campese Ma'afu
2. Samuel Matavesi
3. Peni Ravai
4. Tevita Cavubati
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. Dominiko Waqaniburotu (capt.)
7. Peceli Yato
8. Viliame Mata
9. Frank Lomani
10. Ben Volavola
11. Semi Radradra
12. Lepani Botia
13. Waisea Nayacalevu
14. Josua Tuisova
15. Kini Murimurivalu

16. Tuvere Vugakoto
17. Eroni Mawi
18. Manasa Saulo
19. Tevita Ratuva
20. Mosese Voka
21. Nikola Matawalu
22. Alivereti Veitokani
23. Vereniki Goneva