Flying Fijians Head Coach Vern Cotter has named his extended squad for the two test matches against the All Blacks on July 10 and 17 in Dunedin and Hamilton respectively.
According to the FRU, the Flying Fijians extended team consists of 14 players from France, five each from England and Scotland, three are Australia-based, two from New Zealand while four are local based.
Extended Fijian 7s squad members Onisi Ratave and Vinaya Habosi who were released from the 7s squad get their call up after missing out on the Autumn Nations Cup due to 7s commitments last year.
Queensland Reds half-back Mosese Sorovi, Crusaders winger Manasa Mataele and France based Peniami Narisia, Vilimoni Botitu, and Eneriko Buliruarua are 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 trainings.
Semi Radradra will miss the test matches as he will not be able to make it in time for 14 days’ mandatory quarantine due to his club Bristol Bears playing in England’s Premiership semi-final therefore he will be part of the Olympic Games preparations with the Fijian 7s team.
Levani Botia will captain the Flying Fijians against All Blacks.
“It’s an exciting squad and a perfect opportunity for the players who have been training well and the exposure within the squad against other confirmed international players will be fruitful. We are looking forward to getting this group together and we will have to keep things simple,” Cotter said in a statement.
The players and management traveling to New Zealand will be in quarantine for 14 days in Christchurch before being cleared to train as a group for the first test match.
Flying Fijians 33-member extended squad VS All Blacks
Loosehead Prop
Peni Ravai
Eroni Mawi
Haereiti Hetet
Hookers
Sam Matavesi
Peniami Narisia
Mesulame Dolokoto
Tighthead Prop
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
Flyhalves
Ben Volavola
Teti Tela
Center
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
