Final Adelaide squads - 16 teams
Fiji co-captain Emosi Vucago, the Player of the Tournament in Hong Kong last weekend, has been ruled out.
He is replaced in Iliesa Taniviula's side by William Rasileka, but his omission is a major blow for the islanders.
While Victor Vito had already been replaced in the Kiwi line-up by Lance MacDonald owing to Super 14 commitments, and Tomasi Cama and Jordan Puletua had been replaced by Luke Hamilton and Jeremy Cave after Hong Kong, Cave himself has now been forced to pull out with a knee injury sustained in training.
Auckland's Tutu Tairea makes his debut as a replacement for Cave and will arrive in Adelaide tomorrow, on the morning of the first day.
“With the season of injuries we have had the team is well prepared for dealing with late changes to the squad and the challenges it brings, however, the boys are focussed for the weekend and ready for the tournament, “ said coach Gordon Tietjens.
In other team news, South Africa replace Philip Snyman with Howard Noble but a late injury to Neil Powell means he will play no part in the tournament and the Boks start with just 11 men.
England have flown in Neil Starling to replace the injured Isoa Damu, but they start the tournament with only 10 players, having lost Rob Vickerman and Tom Biggs who have flown back to honour club commitments with Leeds Carnegie.
Wales give a debut to Michael Collins in place of James Lewis.
Wellington Bowl winners the Cook Islands hand debuts to Vairaro Mahutariki and Eddie Aukino.
