Rugby transition – 7s Olympians promoted to Flying Fijians Northern Tour

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Olympic Games gold medallist Jiuta Wainiqolo, who has been included in the Flying Fijians squad, is seen here enjoying a time out in France. Picture: RCT

Four Olympic Games gold medalists are expected to make their debut for the Flying Fijians on the Northern Hemisphere Tour next month.

They include Jiuta Wainiqolo, Vilimoni Botitu, Aminiasi Tuimaba and Masivesi Dakuwaqa.

Wainiqolo, Botitu and Tuimaba won the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games while Dakuwaqa was part of the squad that won the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

The other Olympic gold medalists from 2016 in the 28-member Flying Fijians squad are Viliame Mata, Josua Tuisova and Leone Nakarawa.

The Flying Fijians team consists of experienced players who feature in the French Top 14, PRO D2, England’s Premiership and United Rugby Championship.

Fiji Rugby Union general manager high performance Simon Raiwalui said despite the difficulties they managed to assemble a strong team for the upcoming test matches. The former Flying Fijians captain said it was a smaller squad than normal.

“Normally we would travel with 32 players, but because of shortage in certain positions, we have got a group of 28 players who will have cover in the majority of the areas.

“There are a couple of areas where there is a shortage of players such as loose head prop, hooker and half-back. We don’t have depth in these positions in the Northern Hemisphere and would have brought in players from the Southern Hemisphere to fill in the positions, however under the circumstances we have selected a great team.

“We have players who are returning from injury and missed a couple of tours with the Flying Fijians such as Viliame Mata and Nikola Matawalu. We have got three new players coming in from the Fijian 7s environment and the Olympics gold medallists who have gone up North such as Vilimoni Botitu, Aminiasi Tuimaba and Jiuta Wainiqolo.

“It’s a strong and exciting squad and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

The Flying Fijians will assemble on October 31 to start preparations.

The side will face Spain on November 7 in Madrid and then travel to Cardiff to take on Wales on November 15 before wrapping up the Northern Hemisphere Tour against Georgia on November 20.

Flying Fijians 28-member squad: (loose head prop) Peni Ravai, Eroni Mawi; (hooker) Samuel Matavesi, Peniami Narisia, (tight head prop) Luke Tagi, Mesake Doge, Leeroy Atalifo, (locks) Tevita Ratuva, Temo Mayanavanua, Albert Tuisue, Leone Nakarawa, (backrow/lock) Peceli Yato, Johnny Dyer, (backrow) Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Mesulame Kunavula, Viliame Mata, (halfback) Frank Lomani, Nikola Matawalu, (flyhalf) Ben Volavola; (centre/flyhalf) Vilimoni Botitu, (centre) Levani Botia, Eneriko Buliruarua, (centre/wing) Waisea Nayacalevu, Josua Tuisova, (wing) Eroni Sau, Aminiasi Tuimaba, Jiuta Wainiqolo, (wing/fullback) Seta Tuicuvu.

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