The Flying Fijians coach has expressed confidence in his team as they prepare to face Ireland in Dublin. Despite the absence of key player Semi Radradra, the coach is optimistic that Ponipate Loganimasi will rise to the occasion, having proven himself in previous matches. The Fijian side enters the game with strong momentum, having secured victories against England, Australia, and Wales over the past 15 months.
The coach noted that Radradra’s absence opens an opportunity for Loganimasi to showcase his skills, while another young player, Setareki Turagacoke, has been impressing during training and is expected to make a significant impact. Meanwhile, Ratu Leone Rotuisolia will miss the game after not recovering well from a recent match against Spain.
Ireland approaches this fixture following a narrow victory over Argentina in the Autumn Nations Series, a performance deemed less convincing by their standards. The Irish coach has made seven changes to his lineup, alongside two positional adjustments, aiming for greater consistency in their performance.
This marks the sixth meeting between the two teams, with Ireland historically dominating the encounters, averaging over 40 points per game. However, Fiji has demonstrated their potential to challenge the Irish, as seen in a close match in 2017, which ended 23-20, and their most recent clash in 2022, where Ireland secured a 35-17 victory.
Currently ranked ninth in the world, Fiji faces a formidable opponent in second-ranked Ireland. The match is scheduled to take place at 3:10 am local time.