Ireland v Fiji: Fiji player profiles

Big, strong, full of flair and possessing world-class talent

At 6’ 5” and over 135 kgs (over 21 stone), Nemani Nadolo is more than a handful for a winger. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho
At 6’ 5” and over 135 kgs (over 21 stone), Nemani Nadolo is more than a handful for a winger. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

15 Kini Murimurivalu
Age:
28
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 94kg (14st 8lbs)
Caps: 19
Points: 20
He can play wing or fullback and currently plays his club rugby with French Top 14 club La Rochelle having previously been at Clermont Auvergne.

14 Timoci Nagusa
Age: 30
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 100kg (15st 10lbs)
Caps: 29
Points: 75
He played for Ulster for a couple of seasons – he scored eight tries in 30 matches – from 2008 before leaving for French club Montpellier; very quick and powerful.

13 Jale Vatubua
Age: 26
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 121kg (19st 1lb)
Caps: 6
Points: 5
He has been compared to Sonny Bill Williams only bigger and made his debut for his country earlier this summer. He has been a French club Pau since he was 18-years-old.

12 Levani Botia
Age: 28
Height: 6'
Weight: 103kg (16st 3lbs)
Caps: 9
Points: 15
He is known as 'The Demolition Man' can also play flanker and wing, plays his club rugby for La Rochelle in France and is a former prison officer.

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11 Nemani Nadolo
Age: 29
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 135kg (21st 4lbs)
Caps: 26
Points: 217
A gentle giant off the pitch he is virtually impossible to stop on it as Leinster fans and players will attest when he played for Montpellier in a Champions Cup match earlier in the season; it's like trying to tackle a fast moving wardrobe. A superstar.

10 Ben Volavola
Age: 26
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 96kg (15st 2lbs)
Caps: 20
Points: 111
Born in Sydney, the former Australian Under-20 international made his debut for Fiji in 2015 and can also play fullback. He signed for French club Bordeaux Begles last month.

9 Henry Seniloli
Age: 28
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 75kg (11st 11lbs)
Caps: 17
Points: 30
He played five matches for Benetton Treviso a few years ago but currently plays his club rugby with Timisoara Saracens in Romaina, the country against whom he made his debut for Fiji.

1 Campese Ma'afu
Age: 32
Height: 6'
Weight: 118kg (18st 8lbs)
Caps: 48
Points: 10
He is one of three brothers that player international rugby and all for different countries. Salesi plays for the Wallabies and the youngest, Apakuki, wears the colours of Tonga.

2 Talamaitoga Tuapati
Age: 32
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 107kg (16st 12lbs)
Caps: 39
Points: 10
The Fijian lineout had some issues against Italy last weekend so the Southland hooker will be hoping that things run a little smoother today.

3 Manasa Saulo
Age: 28
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 128kg (20st 2lbs)
Caps: 20
Points: 0
Pretty much an ever present in the Fijian squad since 2012 he currently plays his rugby with London Irish in the Aviva Premiership.

4 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
Age: 31
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 115kg (18st 2lbs)
Caps: 27
Points: 5
He is another to play his rugby with the Northampton Saints – so too loosehead prop Ma'afu – and is a fast, agile and very athletic secondrow.

Leone Nakarawa is an outstanding talent in Fiji’s pack. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho
Leone Nakarawa is an outstanding talent in Fiji’s pack. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

5 Leone Nakarawa
Age: 29
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 122kg (19st 3lbs)
Caps: 45
Points: 50
One of the greats of the modern game, Irish supporters will recognise him from his time at the Glasgow Warriors and latterly Racing 92. He offloads like no other can, a phenomenal athlete.  

6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu
Age: 31
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 111kg (17st 4lbs)
Caps: 35
Points: 20
He plays for the Brive club in France and is equally adept at flanker or in the secondrow; he was a member of the Fijian squad in the last two World Cups.

7 Akapusi Qera
Age: 33
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 112kg (17st 9lbs)
Caps: 60
Points: 45
A much travelled flanker and stalwart of the Fiji team he started with the Pertemps Bees in England before joining Gloucester and playing there for seven seasons. He is now with Agen in France: a tough tackling, breakdown nuisance.

8 Nemani Nagusa
Age: 29
Height: 6'2
Weight: 110 kg (17st 4lbs)
Caps: 11 
Points: 0
Another to play his club rugby in France, he featured in last week's defeat to Italy.

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer