New Zealand will take on Fiji in their final Test before the Rugby Championship gets underway next month at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego this Saturday.
This week's game marks the first time that Fiji will be playing a Test match in the USA, while New Zealand are returning to this part of the world for the first time since 2016.
Match preview
New Zealand will be looking for a better performance in the USA this time around, as the last time they played here, Ireland picked up their first-ever win over the All Blacks, a 40-29 result, at Soldier Field Stadium eight years ago.
Both these teams were competitive at the Rugby World Cup last year with the All Blacks reaching the final and the Flying Fijians upsetting Australia en route to reaching the quarter-final.
Following their narrow loss to South Africa in France, New Zealand played their first two games under Crusaders legend Scott Robertson this month, but it was certainly not plain sailing as they only just overcame England, albeit with several new players in the side.
The All Blacks won the first Test 16-15 and wrapped up the series with a 24-17 win in Auckland thanks to two tries from winger Mark Telea and the impact of veteran full-back Beauden Barrett off the bench.
New Zealand may use this encounter to bring in some of the more inexperienced players, and while Robertson conceded earlier this week that rotating the squad could cause even more issues with getting his game plan nailed down, he also indicated that it is a necessary transition in their preparation for the upcoming Rugby Championship.
Meanwhile, Fiji have made great strides forward over the last couple of years, and while they did suffer a shock defeat to Portugal in the pool stages of the World Cup, that result perhaps says more about the Portuguese and their incredible improvement in Test rugby lately, rather than indicating a Fijian drop-off.
The Pacific Islanders are coming into this match following an impressive 21-12 win against Georgia, where they did not concede a single try, and a repeat of that tight defence will be crucial here against the All Blacks.
However, despite now being settled at Jewish Academy's Camp Carmel Creek grounds in the last few days, Fiji's trip to the US was far from smooth as nine players had to head back to Suva to get their visas sorted before flying to Los Angeles.
The players who travelled to the US via Fiji were Eroni Mawi, Albert Tuisue, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Sireli Maqala, Meli Derenalagi, Peniasi Dakuwaqa, Viliame Mata, Temo Mayanavanua and Vilimoni Botitu.
Since the first meeting between these nations at the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, Fiji and New Zealand have crossed paths in seven capped Test matches and 12 times overall. The most recent encounters came in a two-Test series in July 2021, in which New Zealand won 57-23 in Dunedin and 60-13 in Hamilton.
New Zealand form (all competitions):
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
Fiji form (all competitions):
- L
- W
- W
- L
- L
- W
Team News
Robertson made just one enforced change to his starting lineup between the first and second matches against England, substituting the injured half-back TJ Perenara with Finlay Christie, but several more changes are expected for this match.
The All Blacks head coach has rested veteran Patrick Tuipulotu, who sustained knee and ankle injuries during the Super Rugby Pacific and played both matches against England in the recently concluded series.
Cortez Ratima made his debut against England, while Billy Proctor, Wallace Sititi, Pasilio Tosi and George Bell will all be vying for a place in the 23 this weekend, as the side look to build depth leading up to the Rugby Championship.
Mick Byrne is likely to send out an unchanged front three of Mesake Doge, Tevita Ikanivere and Eroni Mawi, while Temo Mayanavanu and Isoa Nasilasila should provide the power in the second row.
Ilaisa Droasese, Jiuta Wainiqolo and Peniasi Dakuwaqa are expected to make up the back three with Waisea Nayacalevu assuming captaincy duties in midfield alongside Inia Tabuavou.
New Zealand predicted starting lineup: 15. Beauden Barrett, 14. Emoni Narawa, 13. Billy Proctor, 12. Jordie Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 10. Damian McKenzie, 9. Cortez Ratima, 8. Ardie Savea, 7. Dalton Papali', 6. Ethan Blackadder, 5. Tupou Vaai, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 3. Pasilio Tosi, 2. Asafo Aumua, 1. Tamaiti Williams
Replacements: 16. George Bell, 17. Ofa Tuangafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Sam Darry, 20. Luke Jacobson, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Stephen Perofeta, 23. Rieko Ioane
Fiji predicted starting lineup: 15. Ilaisa Droasese, 14. Jiuta Wainiqolo, 13. Waisea Nayacalevu (c), 12. Inia Tabuavou, 11. Peniasi Dakuwaqa, 10. Vilimoni Botitu, 9. Frank Lomani, 8. Viliame Mata, 7. Kitione Salawa, 6. Lekima Tagitagivalu, 5. Temo Mayanavanu, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 3. Mesake Doge, 2. Tevita Ikanivere, 1. Eroni Mawi
Replacements: 16. Zuriel Togiatama, 17. Haereiti Hetet, 18. Peni Ravai, 19. Albert Tuisue, 20. Ratu Meli Derenalagi, 21. Elia Cakanakaivata, 22. Simione Kuruvoli, 23. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
We say: New Zealand 40-21 Fiji
While New Zealand are expected to make several changes for this encounter, they are still heavily fancied to win the match, with Fiji also bringing in a number of new faces.
We expect the All Blacks to get in, complete their commercial duties here in the US, secure the victory, and head home to begin preparation for next month's Rugby Championship.
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