{"id":2915,"date":"2024-07-20T07:46:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-19T19:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/?p=2915"},"modified":"2024-07-20T08:17:16","modified_gmt":"2024-07-19T20:17:16","slug":"rugby-international-tips-preview-new-zealand-v-fiji-in-san-diego","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/2024\/07\/rugby-international-tips-preview-new-zealand-v-fiji-in-san-diego\/","title":{"rendered":"Rugby International Tips & Preview | New Zealand v Fiji in San Diego"},"content":{"rendered":"
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All Blacks<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Fiji<\/div>\n
2:30pm, Saturday 20 July 2024 | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego<\/div>\n
New Zealand -26.5 ($1.87)<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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History<\/em>
\nNew Zealand and Fiji\u2019s international rugby history dates back to 1974, when the teams first met in Suva at Buckhurst Park (now HFC Bank Stadium). The All Blacks snuck away with a 14-13 win on that occasion, but the subsequent 10 games have been much more convincing performances by the New Zealanders. The All Blacks have a perfect 11-0 record against the Flying Fijians, with their most recent encounters coming in a two-game series in 2021. First was a 57-23 victory for the All Blacks in Dunedin, before a 60-13 win in Hamilton the following week.<\/p>\n

Form<\/em>
\nNew Zealand enter this Test match off a 2-0 series win over England. The hosts were made to work hard to win both games, getting a relatively fortunate break in the final seconds of the first Test, winning a breakdown penalty to end an England attack and record a 16-15 win. Then, in the second Test, a late surge was required to get the ABs over the line. A Marcus Smith penalty goal in the 49th minute game England a 17-13 lead, but the All Blacks went on to score the final 11 points of the game to win 24-17 victory and ensure the Scott Robertson era got off to a winning start.<\/p>\n

Fiji have also had just two games in 2024, first going head-to-head with the Barbarians four weeks ago. It was a stacked Baa Baas team, with the likes of Sam Whitelock, Lachlan Boshier, Leicester Fainga\u2019anuku and Virimi Vakatawa in the starting XV, and the Fijians couldn\u2019t keep pace with the scoring. They turned their form around two weeks later, travelling to Batumi to beat Georgia 12-21in an impressive performance. Outscoring the hosts three tries to one, the Flying Fijians looked dangerous with ball in hand and played with physicality on both sides of the ball to make it a 1-1 start to 2024.<\/p>\n

Teams<\/em>
\nNew Zealand: 1 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Asafo Aumua, 3 Fletcher Newell, 4 Scott Barrett, 5 Tupou Vaa\u2019i, 6 Luke Jacobson, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 8 Ardie Savea, 9 Cortez Ratima, 10 Damian McKenzie, 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 13 Billy Proctor, 14 Sevu Reece, 15 Beauden Barrett. Reserves: 16 George Bell, 17 Ethan De Groot, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Noah Hotham, 22 Jordie Barrett, 23 Emoni Narawa.<\/p>\n

Fiji: 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 3 Mesake Doge, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 7 Kitione Salawa, 8 Viliame Mata, 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11 Semi Radradra, 12 Inia Tabuavou, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 15 Vilimoni Botitu. Reserves: 16 Zuriel Togiatama, 17 Haireiti Hetet, 18 Samu Tawake, 19 Albert Tuisue, 20 Elia Canikaivata, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Caleb Muntz, 23 Sireli Maqawa.<\/p>\n

Scott Robertson has rung in the changes for this Test in San Diego. Six players are in line to make their All Blacks debut on Saturday, including Billy Proctor, Noah Hotham, George Bell, Pasilio Tosi, Sam Darry and Wallace Sititi, while the likes of Tamaiti Williams, Luke Jacobson, Cortez Ratima and Emoni Narawa will get their chance to push for more permanent spots in the first-string lineup.<\/p>\n

Mick Byrne has been less busy with his personnel changes to his 23. Just two changes from the starting XV that beat Georgia have been made, with Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula will make his starting debut at first five-eighth, pushing Vilimoni Botitu to fullback, while Semi Radradra joins the team on the left wing.<\/p>\n

Stats That Matter<\/em><\/p>\n