THE much anticipated one-off Scotland and Fiji rugby international is a huge test for the captains as they will for the first time battle against each other.
Scotland skipper Ross Ford is a good friend and team mate of Flying Fijians skipper Netani Talei after playing together for the Edinburgh team in Scotland this season.
The two players know each other’s game style and they are looking forward to a tough battle. Ford said Talei was one of their best forwards.
“Netani is a phenomenal rugby player and is one of the best forwards in our team. So it will be interesting to play against him,” Ford said.
“I have a lot of respect for him and his team and we are ready to face them head-on.
“We are confident of our chances and we will try our best to maintain our winning form we left off in Australia.”
Talei said playing against Ford and his other Edinburgh team mates would be a huge challenge for him.
He said his aim was to help his countrymen win the battle.
“It’s a big challenge for me personally because we came up after a good season, finishing in the semi-final of the Heinken Cup competition,” Talei said.
“There are lot of big boys and they have proven themselves. I still have a lot to offer and it will be a major task for me trying to lead these boys.
“But at the end of the day it’s not about them and it’s us that matters most to me and we are here to perform and come out with a win.”
The Edinburg players in the Scotland team are halfback Mike Blair, flyhalf Greig Lidlaw, inside backs Matt Scott and Nick De Luca, winger Tim Vinser, open side flanker Ross Ronnie and hooker Ford.
The game kicks off at 2pm at Lautoka’s Churchill Park.