Fiji Rugby has named its Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua 42-member extended squad, including 15 local players who were part of the side’s successful Super W campaign this year, for their title defense next year.
Seasoned Fijiana XVs skipper Sereima Leweniqila is the notable exclusion in a list of returnees that includes Karalaini Naisewa, Bitila Tawake, Joma Rubuti, Vika Matarugu, Merewalesi Rokouno, Roela Radiniyavuni, Vitalina Naikore, and Fijiana 7s’ skipper Rusila Nagasau.
“Nine new players have also made their cut into the extended squad,” FRU Chief Executive John O’Connor said.
The local players will begin preparations next Monday at any of the Fiji Rugby High-Performance Centres closest to them, with medical and fitness tests scheduled for later in the week.
The FRU intends to plan out prep for overseas-based players in January.
Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua 42-member squad
PROPS:
- KARALAINI NAISEWA
- BITILA TAWAKE
- JOMA RUBUTI
- LOSANA RAVOUVOU
- MEREONI VONOSERE
- TIANA ROBANAKADAVU
- MARIA NARARA *
HOOKERS:
- LITIA MARAMA
- KELENI MARAWA
- VIKA MATARUGU
- EMILY TAYLOR *
LOCKS
- DOREEN NAROKETE
- MEREVESI OFAKIMALIMO
- ANA TUIMASI *
- LAISA VOSA *
- NUNIA ULUILAKEBA *
- KARAVAKI LUTUMAIBAU
LOOSIES
- MEREWAI CUMU
- SUSANA RAILUMU
- SALASEINI RAILUMU
- FULORI NAQURA
- MAKERETA TUNIDAU
INSIDE BACKS
- KOLORA LOMANI
- SETAITA RAILUMU
- RAIJELI ULUINAYAU
- MEREWALESI ROKOUNO
- ANIMEI
- VANI AREI
- LAVENIA TINAI
- VITALINA NAIKORE
- NAOMI RATUDRISI *
OUTSIDE BACKS
- RUSILA NAGASAU
- WAINIKITI VOSADRAU *
- ROELA RADINIYAVUNI
- VIVE SISIKISAWANA
- UNAISI TAGABALE
- SERA BALETINI *
- AKANISI SOQOIWASA
- LAISANA LIKUCEVA
- ADITA MILIANA
- MARIANA TALATOKA
- LOSANA BAINIVALU *
(* – denotes new players roped into the squad)
Photo: File
