Challenge Cup: Cardiff set for test against Benetton’s Fijian Onise Ratave

Since signing from Fijian Drua in 2022, Ratave has scored 11 tries in nine fixtures against the four clubs from Wales and has failed to cross in only two of those games.

Ratave, who is uncapped given Fiji’s riches out wide, signed a one-year contract extension with Benetton in March that will take him into a fifth campaign at Stadio Monigo.

His stats show just why he is so popular in Treviso.

In five URC games this season, Ratave has scored four tries, made 13 clean breaks, carried for 45 times for 408 metres, beaten 18 defenders and offloaded nine times.

According to the official league stats, the wing has kicked just twice.

In two Challenge Cup games against Dragons and Lyon he has racked up 311 metres over 23 carries, making 10 clean breaks, beating 14 defenders to score two tries and provide one assist.

“He’s an absolute machine,” said former Bristol scrum-half Andy Uren after Benetton’s draw at Dragons in January.

“You see how deadly he is and what he can do when he gets the ball, so we need to feed him more.”

That is quite a statement given the game-breakers in a Benetton squad that also features Tommaso Menoncello, one of the best outside centres in the world.

Cardiff will need to be at their defensive best if they are to cause an upset and earn a quarter-final trip to either Exeter or Munster.