Young Fijian Drua star gets callup against the All Blacks

When Fiji's national rugby union team last faced the All Blacks in Hamilton in 2021, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula was 17 and playing footy for his school in Christchurch.

The 20-year-old former New Zealand schoolboys sensation has been named ahead of Caleb Muntz to start for the Flying Fijians when they take on the All Blacks in San Diego, California, today.

By the way, the 2021 test match at Waikato Stadium saw the All Blacks thrash the Fijians 60-13, which followed a 57-23 result a week earlier.

Although 10th-ranked Fiji have not beaten the All Blacks across 11 meetings, they led much of the two-test series during their 2021 tour.

Fiji's new coach Mick Byrne, hopes there is no shortage of self-belief as his side tries to create history with a first-ever win over the World Cup finalists.

Flying Fijians flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, left, and captain Waisea Nayacalevu at the team's training ahead of today's test match against the All Blacks in San Diego. Photo/Fiji Rugby

Bryne took over the reins from Simon Raiwalui who stepped down after last year's World Cup in France. In the pool stages, the Fijians beat Portugal, Georgia, and the Australian Wallabies, Fiji's first ever. They also reached the quarter-final but lost to England 30-24.

Byrne, the former head coach of the Super Rugby Drua team, has named six players from the Drua to start against the All Blacks.

One of them is Armstrong-Ravula, who will start at No.10, pairing with experienced halfback Frank Lomani.

Armstrong-Ravula, whose Fijian-Kiwi, attended St Andrew's College in Christchurch and played his club rugby for College Old Boys. He also represented Manawatu in the National Provincial Championship and Bunnings NPC in 2023.

He was named in the Fiji Under-20 side last year before joining the Drua squad for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season. The Drua finished in seventh place, losing in the quarterfinal to the Auckland Blues who went on to beat the Waikato Chiefs to clinch their fourth title in 21 years.

It will be a 'baptism of fire' for Armstrong-Ravula, who made his international debut against Georgia off the bench on 6 July. Fiji beat the European minnows 21-12.

Speaking to journalists following the captain's run on Friday, Byrne said the youngster has been leading the team well during training, and "showing good signs of maturity in his game.

Flying Fijians coach Mick Byrne has named 12 Drua players from the 7th-placed Super Rugby Pacific side to take on the All Blacks. Photos/Fiji Rugby

"Izzy still qualifies for the Under 20s and skipping a couple of positions out has given him good support this week and a lot of good ball-carrying forwards and if we get on the front foot, I think we can see a great game from him."

Bryne's run-on side today includes experienced Top 14 stars from the French competition.

Captain Waisea Nayacalevu will start at centre and partners Racing 92's Inia Tabuavou at No.12.

Former rugby league star Semi Radradra has been named on the left wing, with Toulon's Jiuta Wainiqolo on the right, and Castres' Vilimoni Botitu at fullback.

The forwards are led by Viliame Mata, who starts at No. 8, with Kitione Salawa at openside and another French-based star Lekima Tagitagivalu at blindside.

Northampton Saints' Temo Mayanavanua and Drua's Isoa Nasilasila are at locks while the front row sees the experienced tighthead Mesake Doge from the URC Dragons, Drua's Tevita Ikanivere and Saracens' Eroni Nawa.

Bryne said they will be out to create history over the All Blacks.

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has made 11 changes to his starting lineup from the team that clinched the two-match series against England last week. Photos/NZ Rugby

“Physicality will be a key aspect of our game plan. We have worked hard to sharpen our set pieces and improve our defensive structure.

"We know the challenge ahead against the All Blacks, but we are focused on our strengths and what we can bring to the game.”

For new All Blacks' head coach Scott Robertson, the Flying Fijians are on the rise. They are ranked ahead of Wales and Japan. The All Blacks have played Fiji 11 times.

It has been almost 44 years since the last time the All Blacks played in San Diego. In 1980, the men in black took on the USA and while the All Blacks powered to a 53-6 victory, the match was a non-official test.

Razor has named six rookies to debut this afternoon, ushering in 11 changes to his starting lineup from the team that clinched the two-match series against England last week.

Billy Proctor will start at centre with hooker George Bell, prop Pasilio Tosi, lock Sam Darry, loose forward Wallace Sititi, and halfback Noah Hotham all named on the bench.

The match kicks off at 2.30pm (NZ time) at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

Centre Billy Proctor will make his All Blacks debut against Fiji today. Photo/NZ Rugby