Samuela Domoni has announced a 24-man Fijian squad for their encounter against All Blacks - Rugby
The Fijian national Rugby Union team, also known as The Flying Fijians, has announced their 24-man squad for the upcoming international test against the All Blacks.
All Blacks will host the visiting Fijian side at Carisbrook, Dunedin on Friday, July 22.
The team roster was listed by the Flying Fijians head coach Samuela Domoni on Monday, July 18. The statement released on the Fiji Rugby Union’s official website confirmed the announcement of the squad that excludes their lock Leone Nakarawa.
Leone Nakarawa is an officer in the Fijian military and his exclusion is the result of the New Zealand Government’s strict travelling ban for any Fijian who has links with Fiji’s military or current government. The New Zealand government placed these sanctions
following a military coup in the pacific Island country of Fiji.
Flanker Sisa Koyamaibole and second choice fly half, Waisea Luveniyali, are not named in the squad following their two -eek and four-week ban imposed by the International Rugby Board (IRB). IRB has handed over the ban to both Sisa Koyamaibole and Waisea
Luveniyali following their offences in Fiji’s last game against Japan during the IRB 2011 Pacific Nations Cup.
Domoni has termed Friday’s test against the All Blacks as pivotal to their 2011 Rugby World Cup preparations. He added, “We played our last Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) match on July 13 and have only the Punjas Series in August against Tonga to test players
prior to the actual World Cup, so having a Test against the best team in the world between the PNC and the Punjas Series fits perfectly into our preparations.”
Domoni termed the side a mixture of youth and experience. However, he surely will miss the services of the injured trio of Fiji’s vice-captain Gabriel Lovobalavu, Talemaitoga Tuapati and Kini Murimurivalu.
The 24-man squad announced for their Friday's encounter against the All Blacks includes,
1. Campese Ma’afu, 2. Sunia Koto, 3. Deacon Manu, 4. Ifereimi Rawaqa, 5. Sekonaia Kalou, 6. Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 7. Akapusi Qera, 8. Sakiusa Matadigo, 9. Vitori Buatava, 10. Seremaia Bai, 11. Napolioni Nalaga, 12. Ravai Fatiaki, 13. Albert Vulivuli, 14.
Vereniki Goneva, 15. Iliesa Keresoni, 16. Setefano Samoca, 17. Viliame Veikoso, 18. Rupeni Nasiga, 19. Malakai Ravulo, 20. Nemia Ranuku, 21. Taniela Rawaqa, 22. Metuisela Talebula, 23. Timoci Nagusa, 24. Netani Talei.
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