Veteran lock Leone Nakarawa will return to test rugby for the first time since the 2019 Rugby World Cup in the first of two tests against New Zealand on Saturday night.
Fiji coach Vern Cotter named the 33-year-old former European Player of the Year in his second-row, alongside Temo Mayanavanua, for the match against the All Blacks at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium.
A veteran of three World Cups and an Olympic sevens gold medallist at Rio 2016, Nakarawa will bring a wealth of experience to a Fiji pack playing in front of young scrumhalf Simione Kuruvoli.
The 22-year-old gets his chance, after the more experienced halfback options of Frank Lomani, Moses Sorovi and Teti Tela were unable to enter New Zealand, because of a recent outbreak of COVID-19 cases in Australia.
Australian-based flyhalf Ben Volavola will start and powerhouse left-winger Nemani Nadolo will be a familiar face to New Zealand rugby fans, after two successful seasons with the Crusaders, before moving to Europe.
Fiji: 1-Peni Ravai, 2-Samuel Matavesi, 3-Mesake Doge, 4-Temo Mayanavanua, 5-Leone Nakarawa, 6-Johnny Dyer, 7-Mesulame Kunavula, 8-Albert Tuisue, 9-Simione Kuruvoli, 10-Ben Volavola, 11-Nemani Nadolo, 12-Levani Botia (captain), 13-Waisea Nayacalevu, 14-Eroni Sau, 15-Kini Murimurivalu,
Reserves: 16-Peni Narisia, 17-Haereiti Hetet, 18-Leeroy Atalifo, 19-Tevita Ratuva, 20-Peceli Yato, 21-Setareki Tuicuvu, 22-Eneriko Buliruarua, 23-Manasa Mataele
Join us at 7pm Saturday for live updates of the All Blacks v Fiji test
