Injury forces Fiji into late reshuffle as debutant starts in Pacific Nations Cup Final

Fiji have been forced into a late change ahead of the Pacific Nations Cup Final in Tokyo, with Drua winger Manasa Mataele ruled out and replaced in the starting XV by debutant Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. Former All Blacks midfielder Seta Tamanivalu, 34, has been added to the matchday 23 to cover the disruption, set to represent Fiji for the first time since the 2025 PNC.

Tamanivalu, a two-time Super Rugby winner, joined the squad in Japan earlier this week after centre Kalaveti Ravouvou was also ruled out of the decider through injury. He will wear the No. 23 jersey, with Isikeli Rabitu listed among the impact players off the bench.

Despite the disruption, the broader shape of the Flying Fijians side remains largely intact. Fourteen of the 15 starters have represented the Fijian Drua at some stage, with Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens the only exception in the first XV. Captain Tevita Ikanivere starts at hooker, packing down in a front row alongside loosehead Peni Ravai and tighthead Mesake Doge.

The backrow is one of the side’s standout features, with openside Motikiai Murray — named Player of the Match in last weekend’s semi-final win over Canada — joined by Kitione Salawa, who scored after just 21 seconds in that game, and No. 8 Elia Canakaivata, widely regarded as an all-time Drua great. Frank Lomani and Caleb Muntz form the halfback pairing, while Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula starts at fullback.

Ikanivere is bidding to lead Fiji to a third consecutive Pacific Nations Cup title, having captained the side to back-to-back victories over Japan in the two previous finals, including last year’s clash in Utah.

“The goal is clear for us, we’re here to win,” Ikanivere told reporters after training in Tokyo. “We’ve prepared, we’ve done everything we could’ve done throughout this week to prepare well.”

Fiji’s interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula framed the final as an opportunity for his players to stake a claim for future selection. “The game is very important for us… we are, like the Japanese team, we want to win and also push the players that we have — they want to showcase their talents so that they can be considered for the upcoming Nations Championship in November.”