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Fiji welcome back Top 14 superstars in 39-man squad for November
By Josh Raisey
Fiji head coach Mick Byrne has named four uncapped players in his 39-man squad, which also features a host of overseas stars, for their Autumn Nations Series campaign.
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Fijian Drua centre Waqa Nalaga and fly-half Kemu Valetini, North Harbour hooker Penaia Cakobau and Northland back-row Saimoni Uluinakauvadra are the uncapped quartet, with Nalaga and Valetini joined by 22 of their Drua team-mates.
A Fijian squad shy of many of their overseas stars won the Pacific Nations Cup in September, but Byrne has now welcomed back Lyon’s Semi Radradra and Racing 92’s Josua Tuisova from the Top 14, as well as Sale Sharks’ Waisale Nayacalevua, who will co-captain the side alongside Tevita Ikanivere.
The small Gallagher Premiership contingent that were part of the victorious PNC squad – Saracens’ Eroni Mawi, Northampton Saints’ Temo Mayanavanua and Gloucester’s Albert Tuisue – have all been selected again, as has Racing 92’s Inia Tabuavou. Castres centre Adrea Cocagi misses out though after receiving a red card at the weekend in his first match back after a suspension for a red in the PNC, taking his total to three reds in twelve months.
Fiji get their November campaign underway against Scotland, before facing Wales, Spain and Ireland.
Fiji squad
Full-back: Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula (Drua), Sireli Maqala (Bayonne), Ilaisa Droasese (Drua)
Wings: Vuate Karawalevu (Waratahs), Ponipate Loganimasi (Drua), Jiuta Wainiqolo (Toulon), Josua Tuisova (Racing 92)
Centres: Waisale Nayacalevu (co-captain, Sale Sharks), Semi Radradra (Lyon), Apisalome Vota (Drua), Inia Tabuavou (Racing 92), Vilimone Botitu (Castres Olympique), Waqa Nalaga (Drua)*
Half-backs: Kemu Valetini (Drua)*, Caleb Muntz (Drua), Frank Lomani (Drua), Simiome Kuruvoli (Drua), Peni Matawalu (Drua)
Props: Eroni Mawi (Saracens), Haereiti Hetet (Drua), Livai Natave (Drua), Luke Tagi (Bayonne), Samuela Tawake (Drua), Jone Koroiduadua (Drua), Meli Tuni (Drua)
Hookers: Tevita Ikanivere (co-captain, Drua), Sam Matavesi (Lyon), Mesulame Dolokoto (Drua), Penaia Cakobau (North Harbour)*
Locks: Isoa Nasilasila (Drua), Mesake Vocevoce (Drua), Temo Mayanavanua (Northampton Saints), Leone Rotuisolia (Drua)
Back-row: Kitione Salawa (Drua), Vilive Miramira (Drua), Elia Canakaivata (Drua), Albert Tuisue (Gloucester), Meli Derenalagi (Drua), Saimoni Uluinakauvadra (Northland)*
*uncapped
Louis Rees-Zammit joins Jim Hamilton for the latest episode of Walk the Talk to discuss his move to the NFL. Watch now on RugbyPass TV
The Drua is the best thing to happen to Fiji Rugby for a long time. Also adds some reak excitement to Super Rugby.
Can't wait to see them play!