Make or break for Warriors

Fiji Times - Friday, May 09, 2008 8:05 AM

Iliesa Tanivula has made one change to his Air Pacific Fiji Warriors starting XV which will take on Tau'uta Reds in round four of the Pacific Rugby Cup at Churchill Park in Lautoka today.

In a must win match in order to keep alive their hopes of a grand final berth, the side is under pressure.

The Fiji Warriors coach has retained the core of the line-up that lost to Upolu Samoa, making only one change in the loose department, with Sikeli Donu coming off and Aca Ratuva in the run-on team for the Reds' clash.

"We lost to Upolu yes, but I thought the team really did a good job and looked promising," Tanivula said.

"I have made some changes here and there this week, it's all to try and improve on the weaknesses we had against Upolu Samoa."

Ratuva returns to open-side flanker and pairs up with Wate Vocevoce at the side of the scrum while Rupeni Nasiga will pair up with former Stallions' locking partner Mosese Vasuitoga in a move by Tanivula to power up the engine room.

"I have moved Nasiga to pair up with Vasuitoga at lock because they seem to work well together," Tanivula said.

"Before Vasuitoga moved to the Highlanders' this was the winning lock combination for the Stallions and it seems to be working well for us.

As for Ratuva, we all know the experience he has. He will bring depth to the team and is a good ball scavenger at breakdowns and will help maximise our opportunity to win."

While keen for a win in their second home game, Tanivula is bracing for a backlash from the Reds.

Reds sit at the bottom of the points table.

Reds coach Sione Fetuani said the Fiji Warriors had a reason to be cautious.

Despite injuries to his speedsters, Sailesi Havili and Ualosi Kailea, who were instrumental for the Reds against the Barbarians, Fetuani is adamant they will grab their first win.

"We want to go home this weekend with at least something in the bag," Fetuani said.

"It will be tough considering that the Warriors will be eager to win too but our management and the players have arrived at a consensus that we must win this weekend."

Keen to end their winless campaign, Fetuani has made a considerable number of changes, with the hope to field the best possible line-up against an equally determined Warriors.

Among the changes made, Fetuani has called upon the young but talented Petelo Tupou who will be making his debut in the competition. Tupou comes in at left wing in place of Havili.

In other changes in the backline, Lataimu'u Anitoni starts at fly-half ahead of Vaea Poteki who moves to full-back, and Tupou Palu starts at right wing at the expense of Ualosi Kailea. And in the only change in the forwards, Makonni Mafi starts at blindside flanker ahead of Kelepi Halafihi.

Warriors: 15 Taniela Rawaqa, 14 Malakai Bakaniceva, 13 Saula Radidi, 12 Vuniyani Ratu, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Aporosa Vata (capt), 8 Deryck Thomas, 7 Aca Ratuva, 6 Wate Vocevoce, 5 Rupeni Nasiga, 4 Mosese Vasuitoga, 3 Viliame Seuseu, 2 Vilie Veikoso, 1 Isireli Temo

Reserves:Alefoso Yalayalatabua, Vereniki Sauturaga, Samuela Anise, Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, Waisale Vatuvoka, Jonetani Ralulu, Epeli Vuicuvu

Reds: 15 Vaea Poteki, 14 Tupou Palu, 13 Ofa Takai, 12 Sione Masima, 11 Petelo Tupou, 10 Lataimu'u Anitoni, 9 Emele Taufa, 8 Lotu Filipine (capt), 7 Afale Tongia, 6 Makoni Mafi, 5 Sione Tamani, 4 Isileli Fine, 3 Seteki Matau, 2 Atelelea Huakau, 1 Otulea Fifita

Reserves:Taniela Te'ekafa, Sosicia Halanukonuka, Kelepi Halafihi, Tavalea Takai, Siope Kapali, Sikaele Ahoafi, Sione Tuipolotu.

Kick-off: 7pm