MOTIKIAI Murray has acknowledged that a call from the national team for the November Tests would be nothing short of an honour, to don the prestigious white jersey and represent the nation on the international stage.
While he has expressed an interest in hoping to get a call-up for the Tests against England and France, he is also preparing himself for next year’s dive back into Super Rugby with the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua.
“For now, I’m just focusing on my Super Rugby preparations but to be called to the national team would be an honour,” Murray said in an interview.
Playing international Test rugby is a huge leap from Super Rugby and provincial club rugby.
If given the opportunity, the young loose forward is determined to further improve his fitness.
“Working on my fitness and strength on and off the field, maintaining my diet and most importantly to maintain my fitness,” Murray explained if selected.
He added that fitness was essential to cater to the demands of international rugby where you are matched against the best from other countries.
Making the cut for the Flying Fijians as loose forward will be no easy feat at present as Fiji currently boasts a formidable crop of talent and exciting loose forwards.
Motikiai has rated his Fijian Drua teammate Elia Canakaivata as one of the prime loose forwards alongside Levani Botia and the other Fijian loose forwards plying their trade with English and French rugby clubs in Europe.
The official Flying Fijians team for the Autumn Internationals in Europe next month is expected to be named soon.
The team will play England on November 8 at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, London, in their first Test, followed by France on their home turf on November 15 in Bordeaux.
