Fiji’s head coach Sam Domoni announces 43-man provisional squad for 2011 Rugby World Cup
Fiji Rugby Union has announced their 43-man provisional squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) on Saturday June 4. Fiji’s national rugby union team head coach, Sam Domoni, who is also the chairman of the national selection committee, has announced the
team at the end of the series of trail matches which wrapped up recently.
Overseas Fiji players did not attend these trial matches, while 13 local players have been named in the provisional squad. Among the local players, the most notable are former France based Napolioni Vonowale who is currently playing for Police Club in Suva.
Domoni further added that seven injured players are not named in the announced 43-man squad and these players will join the squad after their recovery which will take the squad count to 50 men. Domoni has expressed his satisfaction over the announced squad
and hoped that his team will put up a good performance in both the upcoming IRB Pacific Nations Cup and 2011 RWC.
Domini has also stated his delight at the positive development of the local players. He said, “It's really pleasing to see the depth we have now in each position and the improvement being shown by our local players following their daily training environment
program.”
The announced squad will also take part in the upcoming 2011 IRB Pacific Nations Cup. The tournament will start on the 2nd of July as Fiji play Tonga in the opening game at Lautoka. Meanwhile, Fiji is strongly affected by the off-field developments,
particularly as the New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, has turned down offers to relax the sanctions placed on the Fijian players.
Earlier in the week, New Zealand reaffirmed travel sanctions on Fijian with Military contacts from flying to the New Zealand. Fiji Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer, Keni Dakuidreketi, confirmed that they were keeping an eye on the developments. He further
added that the International Rugby Board (IRB), the world rugby governing body, has not approached them in this respect.
However, Dakuidreketi didn’t rule out the late changes in the squad if New Zealand government did not relax their sanctions. Teams are required to submit their final squad to the IRB until August 2011.
Fiji will kick-start their world cup campaign against Namibia on 10th September at Rotorua.
The squad announced includes:-
Fiji squad: Seremaia Baikeinuku, Vitoria Buatava, Sireli Bobo, Ilikena Bolakoro, Tevita Cavubati, Waisea Daveta, Adriu Delai, Graham Dewes, Ravai Fatiaki, Vereniki Goneva, Sekonaia Kalou, Sunia Koto, Sisa Koyamaibole, Wame Lewaravu, Nicky
Little, Gabriele Lovobalavu, Waisale Luveniyali, Campese Ma'afu, Penijamini Makutu, Deacon Manu, Taniela Maravunawasawasa, Masi Matadigo, Joshua Matavesi, Kini Murimurivalu, Timoci Nagusa, Jimilai Naikadawa, Jone Nailiko, Sireli Naqelevuki, Akapusi Qera, Seru
Rabeni, Malakai Ravulo, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Setefano Samoca, Nemia Serelevu, Netani Talei, Talemaitoga Tuapati, Waisale Vatuvoka, Viliame Veikoso, Malakai Volau, Napolioni Vonowale, Albert Vulivuli, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Apisalome Waqatabu
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