Mawi, Mata dropped as Flying Fijians face Samoa in PNC clash
Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has opted to start Haereiti Hetet ahead of Mawi while Meli Tuni is on the bench and is expected to make his Test debut.
Thursday 04 September 2025 | 19:30
Experienced Flying Fijians loosehead prop Eroni Mawi and No.8 Viliame Mata have been dropped from the Match 23 squad to face Manu Samoa in their Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) clash at the Rotorua International Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has opted to start Haereiti Hetet ahead of Mawi while Meli Tuni is on the bench and is expected to make his Test debut.
Byrne has given tighthead prop Samuela Tawake to start while Mesake Doge will come in as an impact player.
Robust loose forward Elia Canakaivata has been moved to No.8 while Kitione Salawa is back at openside flanker.
The other change sees the return of halfback Simione Kuruvoli to the starting line-up while Philip Baselala is on the bench.
The backline remains largely settled, with the exciting combination of Caleb Muntz at fly half and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula at fullback retained. A key feature in the midfield is the inclusion of Tuidraki Samusamuvodre at outside centre where he partners Seta Tamanivalu.
The match kicks-off at 3pm.
Line-up
Fiji: 1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Tevita Ikanivere (captain), 3. Samuela Tawake, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Temo Mayanavanua, 6. Etonia Waqa, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Simione Kuruvoli, 10. Caleb Muntz, 11. Ponipate Loganimasi, 12. Seta Tamanivalu, 13. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 14. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 15. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula.
Reserves: 16. Zuriel Togiatama, 17. Meli Tuni, 18. Mesake Doge, 19. Mesake Vocevoce, 20. Motikiai Murray, 21. Philip Baselala, 22. Kemu Valetini, 23. Taniela Rakuro.
