THE Fiji Airways Flying Fijians will play 16 Test matches before the 2019 Rugby World Cup to be played in Japan.The RWC campaign starts with next month’s June Test series against Samoa, Tonga and Georgia in Fiji.
Fiji Rugby Union chief executive offi cer John O’Connor said fans needed to come out and support the team.
“In June we will be defending our Pacifi c Nations Cup with the June Test series and this provides a great opportunity for the people of Fiji to witness up close the building of our team which will be striving to lift the Web Ellis Cup,” he said.
“From now until Japan, we only have 16 Test matches to prepare our team so every match is critical to forming combinations and strategy and we won’t be wasting any opportunities.”
Coach John McKee has named a strong team for the Test matches with players such as Semi Radradra, Leone Nakarawa, Peni Ravai, Josua Tuisova and Nemani Nadolo in the mix.
“We have a very talented squad that have played tier one nations right down to the wire and our players across the globe have been achieving great success. To have the 2018 European Player of the Year, Leone Nakarawa and former NRL star Semi Radradra in front of the home crowd is very exciting for our Fijian fans,” he said.
“So to all our fans out there we urge you to come and support the boys and your favourite team on June 9 and 16 at the ANZ Stadium in Suva and June 23 at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
“It will be a clash of the Pacifi c Titans and this is one opportunity you would not want to miss out on,” McKee said. Fiji will play Manu Samoa on June 9 at the ANZ Stadium at 3.30pm and then in the second Test match Fiji will take on Georgia on June 16 at 3.30pm at the same venue while the match between Fiji and Tonga will be played at Churchill Park in Lautoka on June 23.
Flying Fijians team:
Loose head prop – Campese Maáfu, Peni
Ravai, Eroni Mawi
Hooker – Tuapati Talemaitoga, Ratunaisa Navuma,
Tuvere Veremalua
Tight head prop – Ropate Rinakama, Kalivati
Tawake, Manasa Saulo
Lock – Sikeli Nabou, Leone Nakarawa, Api
Ratuniyarawa, Albert Tuisue
Back row – Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Viliame
Mata, Mosese Voka, Nemani Nagusa, Akapusi
Qera
Half back – Henry Seniloli, Frank Lomani,
Serupepeli Vularika
Fly half – Ben Volavola
Centre – Jale Vatubua, Sevanaia Galala,
Semi Radrara
Wing – Vereniki Goneva, Josua Tuisova, Nemani
Nadolo, Timoci Nagusa
Full back – Kini Murimurivalu
Players on standby – Eremasi Radrodro,
Nikola Matawalu, Eroni Vasiteri, Patrick Osbourne,
Benito Masilevu, Seta Tuicuvu
