Teti Tela to start for Fiji at fly-half in Pool C game against Wales

Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui has made a forced change for the upcoming Rugby World Cup opener against Wales to be played on Sunday.

Teti Tela has been named at fly-half replacing Caleb Muntz, who is ruled out of the tournament after sustaining a knee injury during a training session. The 32-year-old made his debut for Fiji during the game against Barbarians in 2019.

Raiwalui has called up Vilimoni Botitu in the squad as a replacement for Muntz with the 25-year-old expected to link up with them this weekend.

Tela will partner with Frank Lomani at scrum half with Selestino Ravutaumada and Vinaya Habosi being the preferred wings and Ilaisa Droasese at fullback.

Isoa Nasilasila and Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta are the preferred locks while Luke Tagi, Eroni Mawi and Sam Matavesi start at front row.

“I think we’ve got a good team, we’ve had very good preparation and we have strength in depth which is something we’ve not traditionally had,” he said.

“Traditionally we’ve had offloading, one-touch flamboyant play but playing Fijian also means aggressive ballcarriers, cleanouts, and being brutal in contact".

Fiji: 15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 12 Semi Radradra, 11 Vinaya Habosi, 10 Teti Tela, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 6 Albert Tuisue, 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Luke Tagi, 2 Sam Matavesi, 1 Eroni Mawi

Reserves: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Mesaki Doge, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Levani Botia, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Josua Tuisova, 23 Sireli Maqala

Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Jac Morgan (c), 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Gareth Thomas

Reserves: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Dafydd Jenkins, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Rio Dyer