Fiji Rugby Union announces Flying Fijians’ final 30-man squad for 2011 Rugby World Cup
The governing body of the Rugby Union in Fiji, the Fijian Rugby Union, has announced their final 30-man squad for Fiji’s 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) campaign. The finalized roster is selected from the 50-man provisional squad that was previously listed by their head coach, Sam Domoni, on Thursday, June 18.
The Fijian national Rugby Union team, also known as the Flying Fijians, 2011 RWC squad was announced on Saturday, August 20.
Officials from the union have confirmed the details of the squad in a statement released on their website on last Saturday. The final squad consists of 21 overseas players, and the recently cleared to play, Leone Nakawara.
Earlier last week, the New Zealand government cleared Nakawara to participate in the 2011 RWC tournament. The move was the climax of several months of standoff between the New Zealand government, Fijian Rugby Union and the International Rugby Board.
New Zealand Government denied lifting the travel sanctions imposed on the Fijian players with the military connections. New Zealand imposed the ban on their neighbours after a military coup on the Island in 2006.
However, Leone Nakawara has to resign from the armed forces to win an arrangement to fly to New Zealand with the rest of the squad and represent his country in the rugby union’s premier tournament.
The New Zealand born, Celtic League player, Deacon Manu, has been announced as the captain of the Flying Fijians.
The 32-year-old back row forward, Manu, plays for the Welsh professional Rugby Union club, Llanelli Scarlets. He so far has made over 109, appearances for the Scarlets and has scored over 40 points for them.
The most notable of the other 20 foreign players in the squad includes the likes of flanker Akapusi Qera and winger Michael Tagicakibau, who play for the Aviva Premiership sides, Saracens and Gloucester respectively. Bristol’s number 10, Nicky Little, is another England base player, named in the squad.
Besides Leone Nakawara, Nadroga locks duo of Rupeni Nasiga and Sekonaia Kalou, props duo of Setefano Somoca and Waisea Daveta, Nadi’s hooker Viliame Veikoso, Tailevu’s scrumhalf Nemia Ranuku and Naitasiri’s centre Ravai Fatiaki, and former Clermont player Napolioni Nalaga are the remaining Fiji based players who earned a spot in their 2011 RWC squad.
Fiji is placed in Pool D of the 2011 RWC besides the defending champions, Springboks, Wales, Samoa and Namibia.
The Flying Fijians final 30-man squad for their 2011 RWC campaign consists of following players,
Forwards: Campese Ma'afu, Deacon Manu (captain), Setefano Somoca, Waisea Daveta, Viliame Veikoso, Tuapati Talemaitoga, Sunia Koto, Seko Kalou, Leone Nakarawa, Wame Lewaravu, Rupeni Nasiga, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Sisa Koyamaibole, Akapusi Qera, Netani Talei, Masi Matadigo, Malakai Ravulo.
Backs: Nemia Ranuku, Vitori Buatava, Waisea Luveniyali, Seremaia Bai, Nicky Little, Albert Vulivuli, Gabirieli Lovobalavu, Ravai Fatiaki, Vereniki Goneva, Napolioni Nalaga , Michael Tagicakibau, Kini Murimurivalu, Iliesa Keresoni.
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