Fijian head coach John McKee has given 11 new players the opportunity to travel to New Zealand to face the Maori All Blacks this Saturday.
McKee watched his side defeat the New Zealand side 27-10 last weekend, but with there being such a massive pool of players to pick from for the World Cup he has named 11 new players in his 26-man extended squad to travel.
Fiji are heading into the Pacific Nations Cup before they take off for the Rugby World Cup in Japan and the head coach has talked about how the plan is to allow as many players as possible a chance.
“The plan has always been to give as many players as we can the opportunity across the first two games as a lead up into the Pacific Nations Cup. We have got a number of players who probably got niggling injuries from the game but also some coming from Europe with minor injuries from the back end of the season and are on a rehabilitation programme,” he said.
There are local players such as Luke Tagi, Joeli Veitayaki, Ratu Veremalua Vugakoto, Johnny Dyer, Mosese Voka, Frank Lomani and Serupepeli Vularika within the squad and McKee has confirmed places are still up for grabs.
“It’s an opportunity for these players to step up and show what they can do as everyone in the squad is vying for position in the final squad for RWC2019. The plan for this week will also see a couple of new combinations working together, learning on the mistakes we made in our first match against the Maori All Blacks as we expect the second one to also be a really tough one,” he added.
The Fijians will be looking to build on their impressive win last weekend with another good showing on Saturday and are already looking like a serious team for the World Cup.
Check out the full 26-man squad below.
Lee-roy Atalifo
Campese Ma’afu
Peni Ravai
Luke Tagi
Kalivati Tawake
Joeli Veitayaki
Sam Matavesi
Tuvere Vugakoto
Api Ratuniyarawa
Tevita Ratuva
Albert Tuisue
Johnny Dyer
Nemani Nagusa
Dominiko Waqaniburotu
Mosese Voka
Frank Lomani
Henry Seniloli
Serupepeli Vularika
Josh Matavesi
Alivereti Veitokani
Sevanaia Galala
Waisea Nayacalevu
Jale Vatubua
Kini Murimurivalu
Filipo Nakosi
Patrick Osbourne
