Joeli Veitayaki, right, with son Haereiti Hetet, left, and Salesi Rayasi Photo: Facebook / Joeli Veitayaki
Flying Fijians v Scotland
Kickoff: 3pm Saturday, 12 July
National Stadium, Suva,
A former Flying Fijians captain Joeli Veitayaki is excited by the selection of his son, and the son of a former teammate, in the Fijian national team to play against Scotland this weekend.
Veitayaki's son Haereiti Hetet was on the bench last week against the Wallabies, and has also been named as back-up prop for this weekend's big game at the National Stadium in Suva.
Former Hurricanes player Salesi Rayasi will play his second game for the Fijians on Saturday, following his debut against the Wallabies in Sydney last Sunday.
Salesi's dad Filipe played in the same Fiji teams with Veitayaki between 1994 and 1997.
In Suva this week, the Whangarei-based former prop visited his son and Salesi, stating his excitement that both the players have continued the legacy he and Filipe had left behind.
"I played prop for Fiji. My son Haereiti is also a prop. Filipe was a fullback and his son Salesi also plays fullback and wing.
"And on top of that we both hailed from Matuku Island in Lau. I am proud to see both the boys now playing together for Fiji and playing in the positions we played in during our time with Fiji."
Veitayaki, who travelled to Fiji last week, wanted to watch the two "sons of Matuku" and the Flying Fijians square-off against the touring Scots.
He also visited the Fiji Rugby Union office in the capital where he met with former Flying Fijians mates Jiko Matawalu, the current FRU operations manager, Paula Biu, the current Flying Fijians manager and Viliame Gadolo, a manager with the FRU High Performance Unit.
Filipe Rayasi, left, and Joeli Veitayaki in one of their Flying Fijians assignment in the '90s. Photo: Facebook / Joeli Veitayaki
Veitayaki, 58, was in the Fijian side that defeated Scotland 51-26 in Suva in May 1998, in which he also scored a try.
He played Super Rugby for the Chiefs (1996) and the Blues (1999), as well as appearing at the 1999 and 2003 Rugby World Cup.
He said Scotland would not be an easy team to beat, despite missing some big names who are with the British and Irish Lions.
But he is confident the Fijians can beat their visitors, after watching how close the team came to beating the Wallabies last weekend in Newcastle.
"They just need to stick with their game plan, make sure they dominate upfront, defend strongly and let the backline utilise possession everytime they are able to," he said.
"Scotland will be very physical and our boys will need to be upfront with them, pressure them on defence."
While Salesi will start the match off, Hetet is expected to come off the bench in the second half.
Haereiti Hetet, closest to the camera, packs down for the Fijian Drua as he makes his return to Super Rugby this weekend against Moana Pasifika. Photo: Fijian Drua
Changes
Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has made just two changes to his starting lineup that [https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/566124/wilson-saves-wallabies-in-close-win-over-fiji
l ost 21-18] against the Wallabies last Sunday.
Prop Mesake Doge replaces Peni Ravai, while Sireli Maqala slots in for Iosefo Masi at outside centre.
Two changes have also been made on the bench, with Hawkes bay halfback Sam Wye set to make his debut.
Wye replaces Phillip Baselala, who also made his debut last weekend.
France-based Vilimoni Botitu is the backline cover.
Byrne said he expects Scotland to be physical, especially at the breakdowns, and the Fijians will need to be ready for that.
He knows that because he was once an assistant coach for the Scottish national side, from 2002 to 2005.
"Having coached Scotland myself, I know the Scottish players too well," he told the media in Suva
"They'll come tight. They'll be a good group of players when they come together.
"We need to match them on Saturday. It's going to be a great game and it's going to be worthwhile turning up to watch."
He does not think the visitors will miss those who are in the British and Irish Lions team in Australia because the players have played together for a long time.
The loose trio of Lekima Tagitavigalu (6), Elia Canakaivata and Viliame Mata (8) has been retained, along with the locking pair of Isoa Nasilasila and Temo Mayanavanua.
There is a lot of speed and power in the backline, with 'The Bus' Josua Tuisova and Maqala, who have been top performers in the French Top14 competition for the last two seasons, pairing in midfield.
Salesi Rayasi, Jiuta Wainiqolo and Kalaveti Ravouvou have also been retained as the back three.
Salesi Rayasi made his debut for Fiji last week against Australia. Photo: Supplied / Fiji Rugby Union
Coach privileged
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said that he was privileged to be back in Fiji, where he last played in 1993.
That was when the former flyhalf played at the Fiji International Sevens tournament, at the National Stadium, where his warriors will face Fiji.
"I feel very privileged to be here," he told reporters in Suva.
"It's a unique opportunity in life, in a rugby career, to spend time in this wonderful country. When we were at the stadium, it reminded me of the first time I was here, back in 1993.
"I have a love of Fijian rugby as a supporter, and then as a coach, having worked with some Fijian players in Glasgow, I've always admired the mindset that Fijian players play with and how they play the game."
Scotland kicked off their New Zealand Fiji tour in Whangeri last Saturday, beating the Maori All Blacks 29-26.
Both teams scored four tries apiece but the difference was Adam Hastings boots, the player converting a penalty.
Fijian heritage number eight Alexander Masibaka told FBC News in Suva on Thursday he looks forward to the opportunity to play against the Flying Fijians.
However, the 23 year old has been left out of the match-day 23, having played against the Maori All Blacks last week.
This week he was able to meet and reconnect with relatives from Nakanacagi village in Dreketi, Macuata.
"It's such a cool moment with my mum being Scottish as well, so it's like a full circle moment for me to be able to bring my family together," he told FBC News.
"Met a lot of my cousins that I used to see when I was younger in the village."
Coach Townsend has made 14 changes to the team that beat the Maori.
Scotland Rugby said Fergus Burke will make his debut.
New Zealand-born Burke, who qualifies for Scotland through his Edinburgh-born grandfather, has been handed the number 10 jersey after featuring off the bench against the Maori All Blacks - a non-cap match - last Saturday.
Edinburgh Rugby lock Marshall Sykes is the sole survivor from the tour opener in Whangarei as a host of experienced players return.
Flying Fijians: 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Tevita Ikanivere (captain), 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Temo Mayanavanua, 6. Lekima Tagitagivalu, 7. Elia Canakaivata, 8. Viliame Mata, 9. Simione Kuruvoli, 10. Caleb Muntz, 11. Jiuta Wainiqolo, 12. Josua Tuisova, 13. Sireli Maqala, 14. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 15. Salesi Rayasi; Bench: 16. Samuel Matavesi, 17. Haereiti Hetet, 18. Samuela Tawake, 19. Mesake Vocevoce, 20. Albert Tuisue, 21. Sam Wye, 22. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 23. Vilimoni Botitu.
Scotland: 1. Kyle Rowe, 2. Darcy Graham, 3. Cameron Redpath, 4. Tom Jordan, 5. Kyle Steyn, 6. Fergus Burke, 7. Jamie Dobie; 8. Rory Sutherland, 9. Ewan Ashman, 10. Elliot Millar Mills, 11. Marshall Sykes, 12. Grant Gilchrist, 13, Jamie Ritchie, 14. Rory Darge (captain), 15. Matt Fagerson; Bench: 16. George Turner, 17. Alec Hepburn, 18. Will Hurd, 19. Max Williamson, 20. Josh Bayliss, 21. George Horne, 22. Adam Hastings, 23. Ollie Smith.
