FIJI Water Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has expressed interest in reeling in Auckland Blues number eight Hoskins Sotutu into his side next year.
The 25-year-old played a huge role in helping the Blues win the Super Rugby title against the Chiefs last weekend.
Sotutu played 14 Tests for the All Blacks, since making his debut for the side in 2020, coming off the bench during a test match against Australia.
Surprisingly, Sotutu was not named in Scott Robertson’s All Blacks side when the team was announced earlier this week.
“He’s definitely a player of interest to us,” Byrne said.
“It’s something we’re looking at just to confirm and keep an eye on.”
The towering 1.92 metre forward qualifies for Fiji through his father and England through his mother and, having earned his last cap in 2022, he qualifies for both next year after a three-year stand-down period.
“I’m just looking through that process now to find out exactly when his last game was, but I believe he played for the All Blacks 15 last year.”
Byrne said they were trying to find out when would Sotutu become available, as he had hoped to add him to his side.
“We’re just trying to find out the exact date that it does become available.”
Meanwhile, former Flying Fijians head coach Simon Raiwalui is calling on Sotutu to switch to the country of his father — Waisake — on social media platform X on Monday.
“Congratulations to Wallace Sititi, but seriously no Hoskins Sotutu … come and play for Fiji!” Raiwalui posted.
