NO stones continue to be left unturned for the FIJI Water Flying Fijians in its ascent to further success and this time, the latest one is the inclusion of former All Black Pita Gus Sowakula for the Autumn Internationals in Europe next month.
The Bucalevu, Koroalau, Cakaudrove player made the cut for the 32-member squad to the November Tests when it was announced at Rugby House yesterday by team manager Josaia Tuinamata.
Sowakula has earned the nod of head coach Mick Byrne and his fellow coaching officials and is expected to add a new sense of depth as number eight in the forwards pack.
Coach Byrne said players such as Sowakula were being brought in alongside newcomers Tim Hoyt and Atunaisa Sokobale to provide them with an opportunity to wear the white jumper.
“When you look at them and you see something there, it’s worth having bringing them in now so that we can have a look at them in training, have a look at them playing, give them an opportunity to represent Fiji moving forward and start their Test careers,” Byrne said in a press conference yesterday.
Hoyt currently plies his trade in the RFU Championship in England with the Worcester Warriors while Sorobale plays for French Top 14 club Castres Olympique and is the younger brother of former Fiji 7s winger Savenaca Rawaca.
Sowakula’s call-up for the Flying Fijians comes after he completed his three-year stand-down period with the All Blacks.
He made his last appearance with the Kiwi brigade in July 2022.
Byrne, in an interview with New Zealand media outlet RNZ Pacific in January this year, had expressed his hopes for Sowakula, George Bower and Hoskins Sotutu to play for Fiji.
Since that interview, Sowakula is now with the Flying Fijians, Bower has been named in the All Blacks squad for their November Tests and Sotutu has not played for the All Blacks in three years.
Meanwhile, the Flying Fijians face England in their first Test on Sunday, November 9, 5.40am, at the Twickenham Stadium in London.
They face France the week after in Bordeaux.
