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Nakarawa to face Namibia

Auckland - Fiji named ex-soldier Leone Nakarawa in their Rugby World Cup team to face Namibia on Thursday after he was at the centre of a visa row targeting the country's military government.

The 23-year-old lock was forced to resign his army commission to even play at the World Cup after New Zealand refused to relax a ban on visits from anyone connected with Suva's military government.

The starting team features no fewer than 10 changes from the side which was beaten by New Zealand in Dunedin in July. Prop forward Deacon Manu remains as captain.

The 2007 quarter-finalists, currently ranked 15th, beat Namibia 67-18 on their only previous meeting in 1999.

Nakarawa was the only player affected by New Zealand's ban, although Fiji Rugby Union chairman Lieutenant Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga was forced to skip the trip.

Teams

Fiji: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Gaby Lovobalavu, 12 Seremaia Bai, 11 Naipolioni Nalaga, 10 Waisea Sedre Luveniyali, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Netani Edward Talei, 7 Mala Ravulo, 6 Dominiko Maiwiriwiri Waqaniburotu, 5 Wame Lewaravu, 4 Leone Nakarawa, 3 Deacon Manu (captain), 2 Viliame Veikoso, 1 Campese Ma'afu

Substitutes: 16 Sunia Koto, 17 Waisea Nailago, 18 Seko Kalou, 19 Akapusi Qera, 20 Vitori Tomu Buatava, 21 Albert James Vulivuli, 22 Iliesa Lomani Rakuka Keresoni

Namibia: 15 Chrysander Botha, 14 Hendrik Dames, 13 Danie Van Wyk, 12 Willem Van Zyl, 11 Conrad Marais, 10 Theuns Kotze, 9 Eugene Jantjies, 8 Jacques Nieuwenhuis, 7 Jacques Burger (captain), 6 Tinus du Plessis, 5 Nico Esterhuyse, 4 Heinze Koll, 3 Raol Larson, 2 Hugo Horn, 1 Johannes Redelinghuys

Substitutes: 16 Bertus O'Callaghan, 17 Jan Du Toit, 18 Pieter Jan van Lill, 19 Rohan Kitshoff, 20 Ryan De La Harpe, 21 Darryl De La Harpe, 22 Llewellyn Winkler

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