Wales v Fiji: Ospreys centre Matavesi at fly-half for tourists

Josh Matavesi played for Camborne as a youngster

Ospreys centre Josh Matavesi will face Wales at fly-half for Fiji in Cardiff on Saturday.

The Cornish-born player is among five changes to the side that lost 40-15 to France last weekend.

Nemani Nadolo takes over from Lepani Botia to partner Leicester's Vereniki Goneva in midfield.

Matavesi comes in for Jonetani Ralulu while Asaeli Tikoirotuma and Waisale Nayacalevu replace wings Watisoni Votu and Alipate Ratini.

Fiji coach John McKee confirmed that Botia and Ratini could not go to Wales for personal reasons.

Mckee added: "I am very happy with the squad, I have been able to name for this match. The return of Goneva to the team and Nadolo to the starting line-up adds strength and experience to our backline.

"Josh Matavesi, who unfortunately was unavailable for the France match due to injury, will be looking to make his mark in the playmaker position in this important match, less than 12 months from when these two teams will meet at the same venue at the 2015 Rugby World Cup."

Matavesi, 24, joined Ospreys from Worcester ahead of the 2014-15 campaign.

He was born in Camborne, Cornwall after his father settled there following a 1987 rugby tour.

Matavesi played for Mounts Bay, Exeter and Racing Metro before moving to Worcester in May 2012 and then subsequently joining Ospreys.

He made the first of six Fiji appearances when they lost to Scotland at Murrayfield in 2009, playing full-back, and also wore the number 15 jersey when Fiji drew 16-16 with Wales in Cardiff in 2010.

There has also been one centre appearance for Matavesi and he has played once before at fly-half for the Pacific Island team, in a 29-18 win over Romania in November 2009.

Former Cardiff Blues prop Campese Ma'afu, now of English second-tier club Nottingham, returns to the Welsh capital in the hope of helping Fiji cause an upset.

Montpellier's ex-Gloucester flanker Akapusi Qera, who played in Fiji's historic 2007 World Cup win over Wales, leads the tourists.

Glasgow have two players in the Fiji starting line-up. Scrum-half Nikola Matawalu partners Matavesi at half-back and Leone Nakarawa is at lock.

FIJI TEAM TO FACE WALES

Metuisela Talebula, Waisea Nayacalevu, Vereniki Goneva, Nemani Nadolo, Asaeli Tikoirotuma; Joshua Matavesi, Nikola Matawalu; Campese Ma'afu, Sunia Koto, Manasa Saulo, Leone Nakarawa, Api Ratuniyarawa, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Masi Matadigo, Akapusi Qera (capt).

Replacements: Tuapati Talemaitoga, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Isei Colati, Tevita Cavubati, Malakai Ravulo, Henry Seniloli, Jonetani Ralulu, Timoci Nagusa.