The Flying Fijians squad for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) against Tonga, Samoa and Australia A includes 16 players from the Fijian Drua and former All Black and Crusaders star Seta Tamanivalu. Levani Botia is Captain.
Head Coach Vern Cotter said in a statement: “The PNC series is extremely important for us. We’re playing at home for the first time in a long time, and we want to do well. We also have our eyes on the bigger picture, and the PNC is an excellent opportunity for our players to put their hands up for selection for November’s Northern Tour where we play Scotland, Ireland and the French Barbarians.”
He added, “This is exactly the type of challenge we need in preparation for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.”
The 2022 PNC will be the first Test series on Fijian soil for Vern Cotter, who will have his full coaching team of Daryl Gibson, Jason Ryan, Glen Jackson and Ritchie Gray assisting.
Semi Radradra, Peceli Yato, Viliame Mata and Meli Derenalagi were not considered due to injuries.
The Pacific Nations Cup will be played over three weekends in July, as follows:
Saturday 2 July, ANZ Stadium, Suva:
1pm: Australia A v Samoa
3:30pm: Flying Fijians v Tonga,
Saturday 9 July, Churchill Park, Lautoka:
12:00pm: Samoa v Tonga
3:30pm: Flying Fijians v Australia A
Saturday 16 July, Churchill Park, Lautoka:
00pm: Tonga v Australia A
3:30pm: Flying Fijians v Samoa
