Deacon Manu is handed Fiji captaincy
Deacon Manu will captain Fiji for their Test match against France in Nantes on Saturday 13 November.
The Scarlets prop was handed the captaincy ahead of their Autumn International Series opener, after Fiji captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu was forced to pull out of the match because of a knee injury.
Speaking at a press conference, Manu said, "To be captain is such a great honour and one I accept with a great deal of reverence and respect.”
The former New Zealand Maori made his Fiji debut in 2009 and he was optimistic about his team’s chances ahead of the tour.
"I am confident with the support of the senior players, the team management and the backing of Fiji rugby fans, the team will perform well on this tour," said Manu.
The Fijian is now expected to lead his side out against a number of Scarlets team-mates when the southern hemisphere team takes on Wales in Cardiff on Friday 19 November.
The prop has played 109 matches for the Scarlets since arriving at the club in 2006 and Scarlets coach Nigel Davies backed the decision to appoint Manu as captain.
Davies told the BBC, "We are pleased for Deacon, he has all the hallmarks of a good leader on and off the pitch and has developed significantly over the past three seasons with an intelligent approach and solid values. He has a calm, cool head and is a positive
influence on members of our squad. We wish him all the best at the weekend."
The Fiji team manager, Talemo Waqa stated at a press conference that the 31-year-old was the ideal candidate to lead the team out against France.
"It was a unanimous choice by team management and one that was fully endorsed by all the senior players," said Waqa.
Fiji will go into the game with France as rank outsiders.
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