UTILITY front-rower Mesake Doge has forced his way into the Naitasiri training squad for the new season of provincial rugby.
Doge, who was based in New Zealand last year, impressed during a Naitasiri Rugby Union trial at the Navuso District School ground on Saturday.
“Doge is in good shape and has improved his game,” NRU operations manager Waisea Luveniyali said.
He said NRU and its coaching staff including head coach Joji Rinakama were happy with the response of players during the trial.
“We had boys like last year’s captain Apisai Rinamalo and Jo Qereqeretabua,” Luveniyali said.
“We have selected 80 players for off-season training.
Most of the players we selected are from last year’s squad. Plus we have some new ones,” he said.
Luveniyali said the 80-member squad would have a fitness test at the FRUnion high performance unit gym in Suva on Wednesday.
“We will also have a training session at Bidesi Park after the fitness test,” he said.
Luveniyali said the fitness test was scheduled for 2pm.
