Fiji Head Coach Simon Raiwalui has announced a 45-man wider training squad, for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The Flying Fijians have five warm-up matches to whittle the squad down and identify their star players, as they take on Pacific Island rivals Tonga and Samoa, throughout July.
Fiji then line-up against the Brave Blossoms of Japan, World Cup hosts France, before the final stop takes them to Twickenham for a showdown with Steve Borthwick's England team on the 26th of August.
The wider squad includes 23 stars from the Fijian Drua, who are currently preparing for the Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final against the Crusaders on Saturday. 13 players join the squad from the French Top 14, including La Rochelle's Champions Cup winner Levani Botia.
The Fijians also see five players from the Gallagher Premiership join the ranks, with the likes of Northampton Saints hooker Sam Matavesi and soon to be ex-Bristol Bears star Semi Radradra. The remaining players come from the French Pro D2, United Rugby Championship, Japan Rugby League One and elsewhere in Super Rugby. There are also 10 uncapped players named amongst the squad
“I think it’s a great balance of players in the team. Raiwalui said to the
official Fiji team website. We know the different systems they play in especially the Drua, judging from the results that they have produced this year. Making the quarterfinals in their second year only makes my selection of the team a daunting exercise. All those selected from overseas or local, deserve to be in the Flying Fijians squad”
The 12 front rowers in the squad consist of loosehead props Peni Ravai , Eroni Mawi , Haereti Hetet , Meli Tuni , hookers Sam Matavesi , Tevita Ikanivere , Zuriel Togiatama , Mesulame Dolokoto and tighthead props Mesake Doge , Luke Tagi , Samu Tawake , Jone Koroiduadua .
41-cap Fijian lock Apisalome Ratuniyarawa , has been named in the second row alongside Isoa Nasilasila and Temo Mayanavanua . The utility forwards are packed with experience with the likes of Albert Tuisue , Peceli Yato and Drua pack of Lekima Tagitagivalu, Joseva Tamani and Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta.
The robust back row experience of Levani Botia , Viliame Mata and Kitione Kamikamica will guide young Meli Derenalagi , and Vilive Miramira .
An all-Fijian Drua halfback trio of Frank Lomani, Simione Kuruvoli and Peni Matawalu have been named in the wider squad, Teti Tela , Caleb Muntz and Ben Volavola as fly-halfs.
The line-breakers creating opportunities in midfield are Josua Tuisova , Kalaveti Ravouvou , Adrea Cocagi , Waisea Nayacalevu , Iosefo Masi , and Seta Tamanivalu .
Bristol Bears player Semi Radradra during the Gallagher Premiership rugby game between Leicester Tigers and Bristol Bears at Welford Road on June 5th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
Coach Raiwalui has also roped in specialist players in the Back three who have been in their best form for their clubs. Vinaya Habosi , Jiuta Wainiqolo , Selestino Ravutaumada , Ilaisa Drosese and Setareki Tuicuvu have all been included in to the extended squad. Semi Radradra , Sireli Maqala and Vilimoni Botitu are named as utility backs.
“We are going to Taveuni which is going to be a unique experience, no five-star hotel, no luxuries, live amongst the people and connect with them. We obviously will be there for a mission but part of it is reconnecting with who we are as Fijians and why we are the Fiji Water Flying Fijians and what is the goal” Raiwalui continued.
Sam Matavesi of Northampton Saints is tackled by Jack Yeandle, Captain of Exeter Chiefs during the Gallagher Premiership Match between Exeter Chiefs and Northampton Saints at Sandy Park on 25 September 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
“The ultimate goal is the Rugby World Cup. We got Tonga first here at home and they are a well-experienced team as they got some new players this year. Then we move on to Samoa and Japan. Those matches are in our region. We have a week off and then we will fly to Europe to play France and England which are great matches to play leading into the World Cup” said Raiwalui.
Flying Fijians 46-member wider squad:
Loosehead Prop
Eroni Mawi of Saracens walks out during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final Match between Saracens and Sale Sharks at Twickenham Stadium on 27 May 2023. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Peni Ravai
Haereti Hetet
Eroni Mawi
Meli Tuni*
Hooker
Sam Matavesi of Northampton Saints during the Gallagher Premiership Match between Exeter Chiefs and Northampton Saints at Sandy Park on 25 September 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Sam Matavesi
Tevita Ikanivere
Zuriel Togiatama*
Mesulame Dolokoto
Tighthead Prop
Mesake Doge
Luke Tagi
Samu Tawake
Jone Koroiduadua*
Second Row
Api Ratuniyarawa of London Irish is tackled by Rory Hutchinson of Northampton Saints during the Gallagher Premiership match between London Irish and Northampton Saints at The Gtech Community Stadium, London on 25 March 2023 (Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK)
Isoa Nasilasila
Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
Temo Mayanavanua
Utility Forwards
Try celebrations for Albert Tuisue of London Irish during the Premiership Rugby Cup match between London Irish and Leicester Tigers at The Brentford Community Stadium, London on 26 April 2022 (Photo: Danny Loo/PPAUK)
Albert Tuisue
Peceli Yato
Lekima Tagitagivalu*
Joseva Tamani*
Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
Backrow
Levani Botia of La Rochelle is tackled by Mark Atkinson of Gloucester Rugby during the Champions Cup Last 16 match between Gloucester Rugby and La Rochelle at Kingsholm Stadium on April 2 2021 in Gloucester, England. (Photo by Phil Mingo/PPAUK)
Levani Botia
Viliame Mata
Meli Derenalagi*
Vilive Miramira*
Kitione Kamikamica
Halfback
Frank Lomani
Simione Kuruvoli
Peni Matawalu
Fly-half
Ben Volavola of Fiji - Photo mandatory by-line: Dean Lancaster/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 183700120 - 01/10/2015 - SPORT - RUGBY UNION - RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 - POOL A Match 21 - Wales v Fiji- Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales.
Teti Tela
Caleb Muntz*
Ben Volavola
Inside Centre
Josua Tuisova
Kalaveti Ravouvou
Adrea Cocagi
Outside Center
Waisea Nayacalevu
Iosefo Masi*
Seta Tamanivalu
Back Three
Vinaya Habosi
Jiuta Wainiqolo
Selestino Ravutaumada*
Ilaisa Drosese
Setareki Tuicuvu
Utility
Semi Radradra
Sireli Maqala
Vilimoni Botitu
Key: * Uncapped Players
