Possible Replacement For Peceli Yato
With loosie, Peceli Yato, out of the Rugby World Cup, who is going to replace him? FIJI Water Flying Fijians head coach Simon Raiwalui has indicated that there is none at the moment.
Tuesday 25 July 2023 | 03:04
From left: Nathan Hughes, Mesulame Kunavula, Johnny Dyer, and former Flying Fijians captain Leone Nakarawa Elia Canakaivata.
Supplied
With loosie, Peceli Yato, out of the Rugby World Cup, who is going to replace him? FIJI Water Flying Fijians head coach Simon Raiwalui has indicated that there is none at the moment.
“We will evaluate, as we move forward,” Raiwalui said.
And if we do need to get a replacement, then we’ve the players who could step in and make it count for the Flying Fijians.
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Let’s take a look at five players who could replace Yato.
NATHAN HUGHES
He is in the country and was among spectators that watched the Flying Fijians beat Tonga 36-20 in Lautoka, last Saturday.
The Japan-based forward has got 22 Test Caps for England under his belt. He can play either at lock, flanker or No.8. The former Fiji Warriors representative played alongside Semi Radradra while with Bristol Bears.
The 32-year-old is very technical and strong in the set piece and is the type of player who could mix it up with the opposition, if the going gets tough.
MESULAME KUNAVULA
The lanky 27-year-old was the man groomed by former Flying Fijians head coach Vern Cotter to be one of our loose forwards at the Rugby World Cup.
He has played six Test matches for the Flying Fijians and scored three tries.
Kunavula played for Edinburgh from 2019-2022 before moving to CA Brive in 2023 to play in the French Top 14 competition.
Now released from Brive, it is understood that the NSW Waratahs have signed him up for next year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition.
JOHNNY DYER
The strong running blindside flanker or No.8 who has been playing at lock for Biarritz in the French Top 14 and ProD2 competition.
The 31-year-old was named the Man of the Match when the Flying Fijians upset the Barbarians 33-31 in London in 2019.
Dyer has a high work rate especially in the breakdown with the ability to pinch the ball away from the opposition.
Just imagine having Dyer and Levani Botia on each side of the scrum.
ELIA CANAKAIVATA
The tireless Fijian Drua looseman who was one of the finds at this year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition. He is fast to the breakdown, strong in defence and is always providing support to the ball carrier.
Canakaivata played for the Fiji men’s sevens rugby team that won the Rugby World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, last year.
LEONE NAKARAWA
The 35-year-old recently had his contract with Top 14 club Castres renewed for another season.
Standing at two metres tall, he was named European Professional Club Rugby’s Player of the Year in 2018.
Nakarawa was once regarded as the world’s best lock but has been playing at blindside flanker or No.8 during the 18 games he had played for his club, this season.
He is renowned for his offloading skills, athleticism and general play.
Story by: Leone Cabenatabua – leonec@fijisun.com.fj
