Forwards
Akapusi Qera (C) – Loose Forward
“Q” had a very good tournament, leading well from the front as he always does on the field, where he made his presence felt most in the tackle ball contest and especially in defence. Off the field, Qera fronted up well to the international media and his professionalism made him a good ambassador for Fiji. TR Rating 7/10.
George Davis Campese Ma’afu – Prop
A key part of Fiji’s rock solid, stand-out front row starting trio who dominated the best front row forwards England, Australia and Wales could put up against us. He helped turn Fiji’s scrum around 180 degrees from our major weakness and national team disgrace, to our weapon of mass destruction. Ma’afu, Koto and Saulo made all Fiji proud. TR Rating 8/10.
Sunia Koto – Hooker
Incredible performance from our 35 year old Hooker. A key part of Fiji’s rock solid, stand-out front row starting trio who dominated the best front row forwards England, Australia and Wales could put up against us. Ma’afu, Koto and Saulo made all Fiji proud. Koto also has to be commended for his accurate throws into our lineouts. TR Rating 8/10.
Manasa Saulo – Prop
One of the best Props in the business and still a youngster for that position at only 26 years of age. Not surprisingly already snapped up by a big club. A key part of Fiji’s rock solid, stand-out front row starting trio who dominated the best front row forwards England, Australia and Wales could put up against us. Ma’afu, Koto and Saulo made all Fiji proud. TR Rating 8/10.
Tuapati Talemaitoga Hooker
Played well whenever given a chance at the RWC in support of Koto. Has improved his lineout throws as well. Talemaitoga now has the opportunity to step up and grab the Fiji Number 2 jersey with both hands and make it his own all the way to Japan 2019. TR Rating 7/10.
Hooker Viliame Veikoso and Props Peni Ravai, Isei Colati and Leeroy Atalifo all performed well, given the very limited chances they had coming off the bench for Fiji at the RWC and as such we have given them all a TR Rating 5/10 and in doing so acknowledge the important supporting role they all played for Fiji.
Leone Nakarawa – Lock
Simply outstanding in every game he played for Fiji at the RWC. Nakarawa showed his class on the world stage and was acknowledged by one and all as one of the best players in the world. We would go so far as to say, Leone Nakarawa would not have been out of place playing for any of the Tier One rugby teams, including the All Blacks at this RWC. World class player and future Captain of the Vodafone Flying Fijians. A place in the Fiji 7s team to Rio 2016 also beckons if he wants it. TR Rating 9/10.
Apisalome Ratuniyarawa and Tevita Cavubati – Locks
Almost identical in size and stature, both big men brought a physical presence to the tight five in the Fiji forward pack. Together with the other forwards, they provided the solid foundation from which the Fiji scrum drove through opposition packs like a sugarcane train. Coach McKee cleverly interchanged Ratuniyarawa and Cavubati off the bench as required, without upsetting the balance with Nakarawa. TR Rating 7/10.
Nemia Soqeta Lock/Flanker and Domoniko Waqaniburotu Flanker/Lock
McKee also used Soqeta and Waqaniburotu mainly off the bench, mixing and matching them into the second or back row, in support of his starters in the engine room. TR Rating 6/10.
Peceli Yato – Flanker
Yato is a raw talent who made his presence felt whenever he got a run at the RWC and will go a long way if he remains dedicated and keeps growing as a professional player. He is an ideal open-side flanker to groom before the 2019 RWC where he will still only be 26. TR Rating 7/10.
Malakai Ravulo Flanker and Netani Talei Flanker/No. 8
Both Ravulo and Talei gave it their all at the RWC 2015, as they have always done whenever they have pulled on the Fiji jersey. While both players still have a season or two for Fiji, they will both be 36 years old by the time of the next RWC in Japan in 2019. TR Rating 6/10.
Sakiusa Matadigo – No. 8
At 33 years of age, you have to think that Matadigo has played his last game in the back row for Fiji. At the RWC, he did not dominate, or gain much go forward momentum from the base of our advancing, or at least rock solid, scrum. TR Rating 6/10.
Backs
Nikola Matawalu – Halfback
Brilliant in the opening game of the RWC against England, where he was unlucky not to score in the corner after a trademark scintillating break. It is sad to hear that off-field indiscipline cost Matawalu a place in the last two Pool games and may even have cost him a ticket to Rio. TR Rating 6/10.
Nemia Kenatale Halfback
The old hand delivered as usual; nothing spectacular, but his steady neat passes gave his backs more clean ball to play with. TR Rating 6/10.
Henry Seniloli Halfback
Seniloli saw more game time than expected, thanks to Matawalu’s indiscretion and he made the most of it, scoring a try against Uruguay. TR Rating 6/10.
Ben Volavola – Flyhalf
Another young talent, who like Yato, made the most of every opportunity he got to play for Fiji at the RWC. Volavola has a fantastic kick in general play, as he confidently showed in his pin-point placing of a cross-field kick for Nadolo’s spectacular try against England. Has the perfect opportunity to grow as a player and leader at the Crusaders in Super Rugby where he has replaced Dan Carter. TR Rating 7/10.
Josua Matavesi – Flyhalf
Matavesi had limited opportunities behind Volavola and a strange outburst reported in the Welsh media during the RWC didn’t help his cause. TR Rating 5/10.
Gabiriele Lovabalavu – Inside Centre
Like Goneva, played below his previous best form for Fiji. Kept busy in defence, but lacked the punch and penetration in mid-field. Only secured his professional club contract after the RWC due to the injury of a French player and this may have been a distraction. TR Rating 6/10.
Levani Botia – Inside Centre
One of the stars of the RWC, Wallaby inside centre, Matt Giteau, apparently said that he was glad Levani Botia didn’t play against Australia. Botia was his usual all-action, all-energetic self when he got his chance on the field. Ran hard and straight, tested, stretched and breached opposition defences when he did. With Lovabalavu’s retirement, surely our Inside Centre going forward to Japan 2019. TR Rating 7/10.
Vereniki Goneva – Utility Back
Goneva had a quiet RWC by his own high standards. Seemed to be playing well within himself for the whole time. Strong on D for Fiji, but on the other hand, no real threat on attack either. TR Rating 6/10.
Waisea Nayacalevu – Centre/Wing
Had limited chances on the wing for Fiji in a backline that hardly fired a shot on attack throughout the RWC. TR Rating 6/10.
Nemani Nadolo – Wing/Centre
One of the stars of Super Rugby in New Zealand over the past two seasons and leading into the RWC expected to be our main strike weapon, but apart from a couple of barnstorming runs and a brilliant try against England, did not live up to expectations mainly because his inside backs failed to set the big man up. TR Rating 7/10.
Asaeli Tikoirotuma – Outside Back
Made the most of his limited chances at the RWC in a mis-firing backline. TR Rating 7/10.
Metuisela Talebula and Kini Murimurivalu – Fullbacks
Made no impact at all for Fiji at the RWC. We expected more from Talebula, but it just did not happen. TR Rating 6/10.
