Frace-based backline utility Levani Botia will lead the Flying Fijians in the two Test matches against the All Blacks next month.
The Flying Fijians will play the All Blacks historically on back to back weekends for the first time on July 10 in Dunedin and on July 17 in Hamilton.
Flying Fijians head coach Vern Cotter has named an extended 33-member squad consisting of 14 players from France, five each from England and Scotland, three from Australia, two from New Zealand while four are local based.
Extended Fiji 7s squad members Onisi Ratave and Vinaya Habosi, who have been released from the 7s squad get their call up after missing out on the Autumn Nations Cup because of the 7s commitments last year.
Queensland Reds halfback Mosese Sorovi, New Zealand Crusaders winger Manasa Mataele and France-based Peniami Narisia, Vilimoni Botitu, and Eneriko Buliruarua are a few fresh faces to join the Flying Fijians camp.
Cotter has maintained the core of the squad with the likes of Samuel Matavesi, Peni Ravai and Mesake Doge in the front row, Leone Nakarawa, Albert Tuisue, Peceli Yato and John Dyer in the forwards while Frank Lomani, Ben Volavola, Nemani Nadolo and Kini Murimurivalu are expected to guide the backline during training.
In a Fiji Rugby Union press release, Cotter said it was difficult to put the squad firmly together until all the players had finished their season in the French Top 14 and the English Premiership competitions.
“We are very happy with the mix as we have some new players who will be joining us and will bring enthusiasm,” he said.
“Whatever happens we will get positive feedback from both games for our players to help us progress later for the Rugby World Cup in 2023.”
Cotter is predicting tough matches against the All Blacks who will come fully prepared.
“The All Blacks will be very hard in the first Test match but they will be even harder for the second Test, so we will need to be able to grow this group by keeping things simple and being together will be the main key to it.
It’s about kicking off from where we left during the Autumn Nations Cup in November last year.
We finished on a really positive note in the United Kingdom against Georgia. “We were frustrated not to play the other games because of COVID-19 and we will be looking forward to getting together and just kicking on.
“Our first job will be reviewing what we did against Georgia, how we can get better and with no bigger test than the All Blacks to make sure we are fully focused and concentrating on our jobs,” Cotter said.
The notable exclusion is Semi Radradra, who is also being approached to play for Fiji in the Olympic Games in Japan.
Flying Fijians 33-member extended squad: (Loosehead Props) Peni Ravai, Eroni Mawi, Haereiti Hetet; (hookers) Sam Matavesi, Peniami Narisia, Mesulame Dolokoto; (tighthead props) Luke Tagi, Mesake Doge, Leeroy Atalifo; (locks) Tevita Ratuva, Temo Mayanavanua, Leone Nakarawa, Albert Tuisue; (back row) Mesulame Kunavula, Kitione Kamikamica, John Dyer, Peceli Yato; (halfbacks) Frank Lomani, Mosese Sorovi, Simione Kuruvoli; (fl yhalves) Ben Volavola, Teti Tela; (centres) Levani Botia, Vilimoni Botitu, Waisea Nayacalevu, Eneriko Buliruarua, Onisi Ratave; (wingers) Nemani Nadolo, Vinaya Habosi, Manasa Mataele, Eroni Sau; (fullbacks) Seta Tuicuvu, Kini Murimurivalu. Flying Fijians management: Vern Cotter (head coach), Willie Baleinabuli (manager), Daryl Gibson (assistant coach), Glen Jackson (assistant coach), Jason Ryan (assistant coach), Scott Crean (head S&C), Eroni Sotutu (S&C), Vaea Patterson (performance analyst), Josua Vuto (performance analyst), Emosi Taloga (team doctor), Kristine Manu (physio), Simon Raiwalui (general manager high performance).
