Uruguay’s rugby team beefs up for Fiji match

Uruguay and Fiji will be meeting in a test for the first time.

Wales made heavier work of it than they would have liked but prevailed 23-13 in an entertaining and sometimes breathless Pool A clash against Fiji on Thursday to move a step closer to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals. “It is our best opportunity [to win] and, without disrespect to Fiji, it is the only tier two team we will play”, said Uruguay’s coach, Pablo Lemoine.

Uruguay are the only RWC 2015 team still to score a try this year.

Fiji will take on Uruguay at 7am tomorrow.

We say goodbye to Fiji and Milton Keynes from this year’s Rugby World Cup here as both combine with Uruguay to supply us with the first proper meaningless match of the competition.

Fiji have confirmed their status as Pacific rugby’s pacesetters during this World Cup, with critics labelling arch-rival Samoa’s campaign “shameful” and Tonga displaying indifferent form.

“So I’m hoping a few honest, brutal conversations will have taken place early in the week, then there will be a focus on Australia and reminding ourselves how good a few of our players are and how well they have played”.

At 21, hooker German Kessler is Uruguay’s youngest player. He is one of only four professional players in this squad.

“It’s something we all need to be aware of because it’s a pretty brutal game at the moment and it’s important that we consider and look after the welfare of our players too”, he said.

“Until they’re willing to give up power, nothing will change”, he told the New Zealand Herald, railing against the “colonialist” mindset of the sport’s hierarchy. However, winger Nemani Nadolo, a star for the Crusaders in Super Rugby, will return from a one-match suspension to line up at Stadium MK. We are doing everything to make sure we get it right.

Fiji: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Lepani Botia, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Sakiusa Matadigo, 7 Akapusi Qera (c), 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 3 Leroy Atalifo, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Campese Ma’afu.

Uruguay: Gaston Mieres, Santiago Gibernau, Joaquin Prada, Andres Vilaseca, Rodrigo Silva, Alejo Duran, Agustin Ormaechea; Alejo Corral, Carlos Arboleya, Mario Sagario, Santiago Vilaseca (captain), Jorge Zerbino, Juan Manuel Gaminara, Matias Beer, Alejandro Nieto.