Caucaunibuca to face Scotland
Thursday November 16 2006
Lam rings the changesPacific Islanders coach Pat Lam has made a host of changes to the XV that lost to Wales in Cardiff as the invitational side homes in Saturday's date with Scotland at Murrayfield, and possibly their first ever win.
Fiji and Agen wing Rupeni Caucaunibuca ousts Sailosi Tagicakibau on the right-wing after finding the passport that eluded him last weekend.
A new centre partnership is given a run, with Fiji's Kameli Ratuvou and Elvis Seveali'i of Samoa taking over from Seru Rabeni and Seilala Mapasua, Ratuvou winning his spot after an impressive try-scoring cameo in last weekend's 38-20 defeat to Wales.
The back-row is rejigged with Semo Sititi moving to number eight from openside. He replaces Hale T-Pole and joins Viliami Vaki at No.6 and Nili Latu who switches to the opposite side of the scrum.
There is one change to the tight five with Taufa'ao Felise of Tonga replacing Justin Va'a at loosehead; Va'a takes a pew on the bench.
Pacific Islanders: 15 Norman Ligairi (Brive & Fiji), 14 Lome Fa'atau (Wellington & Samoa), 13 Kameli Ratuvou (Saracens & Fiji), 12 Elvis Seveali'i (Sale & Samoa), 11 Rupeni Caucaunibuca (Agen & Fiji), 10 Tusi Pisi (Massey & Samoa), 9 Moses Rauluni (Saracens & Fiji), 8 Epi Taione (Sanyo & Tonga), 7 Nili Latu (Bay of Plenty & Tonga), 6 Viliami Vaki (Perpignan & Tonga), 5 Daniel Leo (Wasps & Samoa), 4 Simon Raiwalui (Saracens & Fiji, captain), 3 Tevita Taumoepeau (Worcester & Tonga), 2 Mahonri Schwalger (Wellington & Samoa), 1 Taufa'ao Felise (Cardiff Blues & Tonga).
Replacements: 16 Aleki Lutui (Worcester & Tonga), 17 Justin Va'a (Glasgow Warriors & Samoa), 18 Ma'ama Molitika (IBM & Tonga), 19 Semo Sititi (NTT Docomo Kansai & Samoa), 20 Junior Poluleuligaga (North Harbour & Samoa), 21 Seremaia Bai (Clermont & Fiji), 22 Seru Rabeni (Leicester & Fiji).
Date: Saturday, 18 November
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 14.30 GMT
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Alan Lewis and George Clancy (both Ireland)
TMO: Hugh Watkins (Wales)