Fiji Water Flying Fijians Head Coach Simon Raiwalui has finalised his extended squad of 39 players for upcoming internationals including against England.
The squad will arrive at camp this Saturday and stay for a week. They will visit communities and villages in Taveuni, including Semi Radradra’s village in Somosomo and Iosefo Masi’s village in Waitabu.
The squad was reduced from the initial group of 45 after considering club commitments and injuries. Prop Haereiti Hetet and utility forward Joseva Tamani will be managed separately due to their injuries.
The squad consists of players in various positions, including loosehead prop, hooker, tighthead prop, second row, utility forwards, backrow, halfback, fly-half, inside centre, outside centre, wingers, and utility players. Some players in the squad are uncapped and will have the opportunity to make their international debut.
The remaining players not named in the initial training group will still be part of the wider group and continue training for potential selection in case of injuries.
The Fiji Water Flying Fijians will participate in a series of test matches in July, facing Tonga, Samoa, and Japan. They will also have warm-up matches against France and England after which Raiwalui will further reduce his squad to 33 for the RWC.
The Flying Fijians will play Wales in their opening match on September 10.
Fiji Water Flying Fijians 39-member wider squad:
Loosehead Prop
Peni Ravai
Eroni Mawi
Meli Tuni*
Hooker
Samuela Matavesi
Tevita Ikanivere
Zuriel Togiatama*
Tighthead Prop
Mesake Doge
Luke Tagi
Samu Tawake
Second Row
Isoa Nasilasila
Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
Temo Mayanavanua
Utility Forwards
Albert Tuisue
Peceli Yato
Lekima Tagitagivalu*
Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
Backrow
Levani Botia
Viliame Mata
Meli Derenalagi*
Vilive Miramira*
Kitione Kamikamica
Halfback
Frank Lomani
Simione Kuruvoli
Peni Matawalu
Fly-half
Teti Tela
Caleb Muntz*
Ben Volavola
Inside Centre
Josua Tuisova
Kalaveti Ravouvou
Outside Center
Waisea Nayacalevu
Iosefo Masi*
Seta Tamanivalu
Wingers
Vinaya Habosi
Jiuta Wainiqolo
Selestino Ravutaumada*
Ilaisa Droasese
Utility
Semi Radradra
Sireli Maqala
Vilimoni Botitu
Key: * Uncapped Players
July Test Series Fixtures:
Saturday 22nd July, Churchill Park, Lautoka:
12pm: Fiji Water Flying Fijians VS Tonga
Saturday 29th July, Apia Park, Apia:
12pm: Samoa VS Fiji Water Flying Fijians
Saturday 5th August, Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
10.15pm: Japan VS Fiji Water Flying Fijians
Pre-World Cup Warm-Up Matches:
Sunday 20th August, Stade de la Beaujoire, France:
7:05am: France VS Fiji Water Flying Fijians
Sunday 27th August, Twickenham Stadium, England
2:15am: England VS Fiji Water Flying Fijians
