Big toe leaves Smith in doubt for test

Captain Greg Smith has been bracketed at hooker in the Fijian team to face the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday night.

Smith did not train yesterday morning because of a fractured big toe and was hobbling noticeably at afternoon practise, but coach Mac McCallion has bracketed him with Isaia Rasila.

If the former Waikato and Chiefs hooker does not recover, lock Simon Raiwalui will inherit the captaincy.

"We'll make a decision on that at the last moment, but it's pretty doubtful Greg will play unless he has a remarkable recovery in the next couple of days," McCallion said.

Fiji have a World Cup qualifying match against Tonga in 2 1/2 weeks and the coach said it might be better to save Smith for that game.

"We've been relying on his leadership and his accuracy at throwing into the lineouts. So he would be a big loss for us, there's no doubt about it."

Another missing from the squad is the Fijian best known to New Zealanders, Crusaders winger Marika Vunibaka.

Vunibaka had surgery last week on cruciate ligament damage to his knee and could be out for up to 10 months, meaning he would also miss next year's Super 12. Otherwise, Fiji are virtually at full strength, although injury has ruled out Japanese-based lock Api Naevo.

There are four changes from the starting XV who lost 22-12 to Samoa in Nadi last Saturday.

The only change to the backline comes at second five-eighths, filled by sevens regular Seru Rabeni.

Giant prop Bill Cavubati's inclusion will be popular with the crowd. He was a virtual cult figure when he played for Wellington and still plays club rugby locally.

As usual, Fiji's strength will be out wide through the speed of French-based winger Filimone Delasau and Japanese-based fullback Alfred Uluinayau.

There is experience in the halves through first five-eighth Nicky Little, who plays in Wales, and Queensland halfback Jacob Rauluni.

Fiji: Alfred Uluinayau, Norman Ligairi, Vili Satala, Filimone Delasau, Seru Rabeni, Nicky Little, Jacob Rauluni, Alifereti Doviverata, Kole Sewabu, Sisa Koyamaibole, Simon Raiwalui, Setareki Tawake, Bill Cavubati, Isaia Rasila or Greg Smith, Richard Nyholt. Reserves: Daniel Baleinadogo, Joseph Narruhn, Samisoni Rabaka, Alifereti Mocelutu, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Paula Biu, Rasila/Viliame Gadolo.

- NZPA