Flying Fijians Head Coach Vern Cotter has selected his 31-member squad to face Scotland, Ireland, and French Barbarians during their Autumn tour test matches next month.
Cotter said the selection was based on the performance of the players during the season for their clubs and during the July international window this year.
“We have been watching the Northern Hemisphere players playing and we are quite happy that a lot of them have been getting game time for their respective clubs overseas,” he said.
Bayonne-based Sireli Maqala plus Fijian Drua’s Leone Rotuisolia and Livai Natave are likely to earn their first cap while Viliame Mata, Leeroy Atalifo, and Semi Radradra return from injury to join the Flying Fijians camp. Also back in the squad is veteran fullback Kini Murimurivalu, who has been having an excellent season for Leicester Tigers.
Players who have not been considered due to injury are Seta Tamanivalu, Meli Derenalagi, Vilive Miramira, and Kitione Salawa while Ben Volavola has been left out because of a lack of game time for his club.
Teti Tela and Vilimoni Botitu are expected to share the fly halves position during the tour.
Cotter said “It’s a great opportunity to play the number one team in the world, Ireland, followed by Scotland who is always hard to beat at home and French Barbarians will be a very tough opponent.”
He added that these games are going to be the reference of what’s going to happen when Flying Fijians play Wales, Australia, and other tier-one teams during the test matches and at the Rugby World Cup next year.
“The players need to step up and these games will give us the references we need to work on especially for the Fijian Drua players.
They will have these experiences going into the Super Rugby Pacific and they will be able to develop their skills and players who play in North will finish this season soon and try hard to earn a spot in July next year” said Cotter.
Flying Fijians Extended Squad:
Loosehead Prop
Haereiti Hetet
Eroni Mawi
Livai Natave
Hooker
Tevita Ikanivere
Mesulame Dolokoto
Sam Matavesi
Tighthead Prop
Manasa Saulo
Leeroy Atalifo
Luke Tagi
Lock
Temo Mayanavanua
Isoa Nasilasila
Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
Leone Ratuisolia
Backrow
Viliame Mata
Kitione Kamikamica
Albert Tuisue
Halfback
Peni Matawalu
Simione Kuruvoli
Frank Lomani
Flyhalf
Teti Tela
Utility Back
Sireli Maqala
Vilimoni Botitu
Centre
Levani Botia
Kalaveti Ravouvou
Waisea Nayacalevu
Semi Radradra
Wing
Jiuta Wainiqolo
Manasa Mataele
Vinaya Habosi
Full Back
Setareki Tuicuvu
Kini Murimurivalu
Matches:
Saturday, 5th November 2022
1am Flying Fijians V Scotland Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Saturday, 12th November 2022
1am Flying Fijians V Ireland Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Saturday, 19th November 2022
TBC Flying Fijians V French Barbarians Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
SOURCE: FRU/PACNEWS
