{"id":290981,"date":"2023-10-13T15:40:25","date_gmt":"2023-10-13T15:40:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/?p=290981"},"modified":"2023-10-13T15:40:25","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T15:40:25","slug":"fiji-suffer-injury-blow-as-team-confirmed-for-rugby-world-cup-quarter-final-against-england","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/rugby-union\/fiji-suffer-injury-blow-as-team-confirmed-for-rugby-world-cup-quarter-final-against-england\/","title":{"rendered":"Fiji suffer injury blow as team confirmed for Rugby World Cup quarter-final against England"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Fiji have suffered a major injury blow with fly half Teti Tela ruled out of their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against England.<\/p>\n
Tela had been set to start the last eight encounter, leaving Vilimoni Botitu to start at fly half for only the third time.<\/p>\n
Fly half Caleb Muntz, who guided Fiji to a first-ever win over England at Twickenham in August, suffered a tournament-ending injury just days before the tournament began.<\/p>\n
Botitu, usually an inside centre, started at ten in last week\u2019s defeat to Portugal after being a late call-up as an injury replacement to Fiji\u2019s squad for the tournament.<\/p>\n
Ten of the starting side from the historic win at Twickenham are retained, with wing Semi Radradra among a number of returnees for Simon Raiwalui\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
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Gloucester\u2019s Albert Tuisue starts alongside Isoa Nasilasila in the second row after a tournament-ending injury to Temo Mayanavanua, while hooker Sam Matavesi makes the bench after the death of his father earlier this week.<\/p>\n
Tevita Ikanivere makes a first World Cup start in the heart of the front row in Matavesi\u2019s stead.<\/p>\n
Fiji are playing in their first World Cup quarter-final in 16 years.<\/p>\n
That last eight clash with South Africa was also held at the Stade Velodrome, with the Pacific Islanders starting well before fading to a 37-20 defeat.<\/p>\n
Fiji team to face England in Marseille (Sunday 15 October, kick off 4pm BST)<\/strong><\/p>\n 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 3 Luke Tagi; 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 5 Albert Tuisue; 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 7 Levani Botia, 8 Viliame Mata; 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Vilimoni Botitu; 11 Semi Radradra, 12 Josua Tuisova,13 Waisea Nayacalevu (captain), 14 Vinaya Habosi; 15 Ilaisa Droasese<\/p>\n Replacements: 16 Samuel Matavesi, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Meli Derenalagi, 20 Vilive Miramira; 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Iosefo Masi, 23 Sireli Maqala<\/em><\/p>\n