Before Fiji – Wales: Levani Botia, or the Story of Reconversion Internationally Approved

DrUpset that in the 2018-19 season, after returning from a serious knee injury, La Rochelle’s staff was asked by Levani Botia to stop playing in the third row – who was one of the best wingers in the top 14 after the redirection of Patrice Collazo, in March 2017. – So that he can participate in the World Cup in England as a midfielder… After more than four years have passed, he has a good opportunity to compete…

DrUpset that in the 2018-19 season, after returning from a serious knee injury, La Rochelle’s staff was asked by Levani Botia to stop playing in the third row – who was one of the best wingers in the top 14 after the redirection of Patrice Collazo, in March 2017. – To be able to participate in the World Cup in England as a midfielder… After more than four years, it is good for him to play in the World Cup for the third time in a row. And we do not swear that this would have happened if it had not been for his return among the “big”.

On the one hand, because even though he no longer supports the comparison with Jonathan Dante as a first-choice center with Stade Rochlet, he would have competed as starters with Simi Radradra, Issia Nayakalivo and Jossiwa Tuisova. On the other hand, “Leps” – his nickname in Charente-Maritime – became feared again with the number 6 or 7 on the back. Mark McCall, Saracens’ manager, couldn’t believe it After his team was eliminated from the last quarter-finals of the Champions Cup (24-10).

” It happened “

Add to that the fact that his other nickname, ‘Man of Destruction’, is 34 and the leader of the pack for Simon Raiwalwe, the coach who took over from Verne Cotter after the New Zealander’s shock departure in February. And so, while opting to renew 14 of the 15 defending champions who beat England at Twickenham on August 26 (22-30) to face Wales this Sunday, in Bordeaux (9 p.m.), the technician put Rochelier on a bench that also includes Racingman. Tuisova, a sign that he expects a strong influence from his replacements. “We have the depth that we lacked in the past,” he said at a press conference on Friday. It was difficult for us to choose, which means this team is strong. Our seat is also sturdy. »

“There are a lot of young Fijian players who play in the same position as me… but they have already seen what I have done on the third line, and they trust me. I want to play a third World Cup, especially here, in front of my family, that’s what he told us.” Levani Bhutia in May. It will be an event for me, as I also have many Fijian friends living in Europe who will attend the matches. » He was not worried, Simon Raiwalwe, who came to meet him in France, after suggesting that he be at the party. Absent against The English, no doubt, the navy were impatient to meet the Welsh. The opposite is not necessarily true…

“detector”

Winners of the English in August, the Fijians emerge as scarecrows in Group C, where we also find Australia and Georgia. What should be favored against Dan Biggar and company? “That would be crazy. We are a developing country that will face a developed country, with all the resources that entails, Simon Raiwalwe chip. We know the quality of our preparations and our group but we never consider ourselves favourites. We are humble.” However, he warns: “We are not like teams.” Ex-Fiji. We’ve worked on some old weaknesses. It’ll be a good detector.”