Head coach Inoke Male has named five uncapped players into his 28-member Vodafone Fijiana 15s squad ahead of this Saturday’s Test match against Wallaroos and the Oceania Championship in Gold Coast.
World Rugby Sevens Series DHL Impact Player of the Year, Fijiana 7s star Reapi Ulunisau along with Jennifer Ravutia, Setaita Railumu, Ana Korovata, and loose forward Mereoni Nakesa are the new players for the Test.
“The Fijiana 7s players will bring experience into the team because of the match fitness from the World Rugby Sevens series. They will join the team after they arrive in the country tomorrow morning,” he said.
Male has retained 12 players, who featured at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand last year.
Iris Verebalavu and Rachel Laqeretabua have joined the squad after their club commitments in Australia.
The others who represented Vodafone Fijiana at the World Cup last year are Bitila Tawake, Bulou Vasuturaga, Siteri Rasoela, Asinate Serevi, Karalaini Naisewa, Sulita Waisega, Sereima Leweniqila, Raijeli Daveua, Ana Maria Naimasi and Kolora Lomani.
Luisa Tisolo and Merewai Cumu also returned to the squad after last representing Vodafone Fijiana 15s at the World Cup qualification in 2019.
Also expected to feature at test level are Litia Marama, Evivi Senikarivi, Wainikiti Vosadrau, and Adita Milinia while Doreen Narokete, Keleni Marawa, Jade Coates and Vani Arei who were part of the Fijiana squad which lost to Wallaroos last year.
Sereima Leweniqila will captain the team.
He said they were expecting a tough encounter against the Wallaroos this weekend.
“It will be an exciting test match and my players are ready to take on the Wallaroos.
“We lost to them last year and but we have prepared well this time around and the players are eagerly waiting to face their opponent.”
The Vodafone Fijiana 15s will face the Wallaroos 7pm at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia this Saturday.
Fijiana 15s squad:
1. Iris Verebalavu, 2. Ana Korovata, 3. Bitila Tawake, 4. Bulou Vasuturaga, 5. Siteri Rasolea, 6. Litia Marama, 7. Keleni Marawa, 8. Mereoni Nakesa, 9. Asinate Serevi, 10. Doreen Narokete, 11. Jade Coates, 12. Karalaini Naisewa, 13. Sulita Waisega, 14. Sereima Leweniqila {c}, 15. Raijeli Daveua, 16. Sera Ravatudei, 17. Evivi Senikarivi, 18. Setaita Railumu, 19. Reapi Ulunisau, 20. Jennifer Ravutia, 21. Wainikiti Vosadrau, 22. Merewai Cumu, 23. Vani Arei, 24. Ana Naimasi, 25. Raijeli Laqeretabua, 26. Adita Milinia, 27. Kolora Lomani, 28. Luisa Tisolo.
