THE FIJI Water Flying Fijians will enter their Asahi Pacific Nations Cup title defence with six potential debutants, while the return of Tuidraki Samusamuvodre gives the side another attacking option as Fiji builds towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Among the new faces are Penaia Cakobau, Vilikesa Nairau, Inoke Ravuiwasa, Isoa Tuwai, Terio Tamani and Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Their selection provides acting head coach Senirusi Seruvakula with an opportunity to expand Fiji’s Test depth while introducing players who have impressed through the domestic and professional pathway.
Tuwai’s inclusion is particularly significant.
The flanker was named in the Flying Fijians squad for last year’s Pacific Nations Cup and was one of three uncapped players selected at the time. However, he did not take the field and remains uncapped. His return gives him another opportunity to finally make his Test debut.
Samusamuvodre, meanwhile, returns to the squad looking to add to the two Test caps he earned during last year’s tournament.
The outside back made his Flying Fijians debut against Samoa in 2025 and was part of a group of players who were given their first opportunity at international level.
His pace and ability to operate across the outside backs could provide Fiji with another attacking weapon, particularly as the team continues to develop its options ahead of the World Cup.
Tamani also offers a different dimension after establishing himself in rugby sevens, while Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens brings versatility to the backline.
Cakobau, Nairau and Ravuiwasa will provide further competition among the forwards, with their inclusion allowing the coaching staff to assess the next layer of players capable of stepping into Test rugby.
The squad will also have to cope without a number of France-based players.
Fiji’s leading Top 14-based internationals are unavailable because the Pacific Nations Cup falls outside the international Test window, meaning French clubs are not obliged to release their players for the tournament. The timing also coincides with the start of the Top 14 season and clubs’ pre-season preparations.
That has forced Fiji to look deeper into its player pool, but it could ultimately prove valuable as the Flying Fijians strengthen their depth before the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Fiji’s record in the Pacific Nations Cup means expectations will remain high.
The Flying Fijians are the competition’s most successful team, having won the title seven times, including championships in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and back-to-back triumphs in 2024 and 2025.
Fiji retained the title last year after defeating Japan in the final, continuing its dominance of the competition.
The Flying Fijians begin their 2026 campaign against Canada in Japan on September 12.
