Damian McKenzie in Dunedin the last time the All Blacks and Fiji went head to head. Photo / Photosport
All Blacks v Fiji, one-off test, 2.30pm, Saturday, Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego
All you need to know as Scott Robertson’s side play the Flying Fijians on American soil for just the fourth time.
Fiji have never beaten the All Blacks in seven test match attempts stretching back to the 1987 Rugby World Cup. Four previous tour games were all won by New Zealand, the first of which was a narrow 14-13 victory in 1974 at Bruckhurst Park in Suva.
Played 7
All Blacks won 7
Fiji won 0
Draws 0
All Blacks:
1. Tamaiti Williams 2. Asafo Aumua 3. Fletcher Newell 4. Scott Barrett (captain) 5. Tupou Vaa’i 6. Luke Jacobson 7. Ethan Blackadder 8. Ardie Savea (vice captain) 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 (vice captain) 23. Emoni Narawa
Fiji:
1. Eroni Nawa 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 (captain) 14. Jiuta Wainiqolo 15. Vilimoni Botitu
Reserves:
16. Zuriel Togiatama 17. Haereiti Hetet 18. Samu Tawake 19. Albert Tuisue 20. Elia Canakaivata 21. Simione Kuruvoli 22. Caleb Muntz 23. Sireli Maqala
Scott Robertson and his coaching staff named their squad at 11am on Thursday.
The question may not be answered until Saturday night. Codie Taylor did a fantastic job in the second test against England in TJ Perenara’s stead but he is not named to play against Fiji. Damian McKenzie is an option as he starts his 50th test.
Scott Barrett was revealed as the new All Blacks captain when the squad was announced last month, replacing Sam Cane. Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett have been named as his vice-captains.
Matthew Carley of England will hold the whistle in San Diego. Carley’s first Tier 1 international was between the All Blacks and Scotland in 2017
Elliott Smith - All Blacks by 10-20
Liam Napier - All Blacks by 20-30
Alex Powell - All Blacks by 30-40
Will Toogood - All Blacks by 20-30
Jason Pine - All Blacks by 20-30
Elijah Fa’afiu - All Blacks by 10-20
Bonnie Jansen - All Blacks by 10-20
Expecting a clear evening. Mostly fine and a high of 24C in California. All Blacks attack coach Leon MacDonald said earlier in the week that the All Blacks found the temperature comfortable, can only assume the Fijians will have little trouble. The Brit came under criticism at the 2023 Rugby World Cup for his perceived lack of action against Wales’ infringements in a match against... Fiji.
All Blacks: $1.06 Draw: no odds Fiji: $7
For live commentary of All Blacks v Fiji, join Elliott Smith on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio.
You can watch the game on Sky Sport 1 and live streaming on Sky Sport Now; an alternative commentary option from the Alternative Commentary Collective is available on iHeartRadio, Hauraki and Sky Sport 9.
You can also find live updates at nzherald.co.nz.
The missing rugby jersey was found after a two-year search.