Fiji select northern based squad and staff for November tour

A squad and management staff entirely from the Northern Hemisphere will represent the Flying Fijians or their November rugby tour.

The Flying Fijians played two tests against the All Blacks in July.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Fiji Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer John O’Connor said after taking into consideration the challenges associated with Covid-19 including travel and quarantine restrictions, they have decided not to select any Southern Hemisphere based players or staff.

“We could have made arrangements for management and players to travel to for the Northern tour but we were not able to guarantee their return with the unavailability of MIQ spots in Australia and New Zealand,” he said.

“We could not take the risk of players and staff being stuck in the Northern Hemisphere in 2022 as such we made the decision not to use anyone from the Southern Hemisphere for the tour.”

Canterbury and new Western Force winger Manasa Mataele is among the Southern Hemisphere based players to miss out.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

With Vern Cotter and his team of assistant coaches all based in New Zealand, outgoing Fiji men’s sevens coach Gareth Baber take charge of the Flying Fijians for their upcoming test matches against Spain, Wales and Georgia.

Former Scottish and current Edinburgh attack coach Duncan Hodge will be in-charge of the backs, former Ireland captain Rory Best will look after the forwards and former Springboks and Scotland Coach Richie Gray – who worked the Fiji squad during last year’s Autumn Nations Cup campaign – will oversee the ruck and contact area.

John O’Connor said the decision to draft in Gareth Baber was a “natural” choice.

“He obviously has five years of experience working with the Fijian sevens team, managing high profile players and putting in a plan for the international competition and achieving positive results,” he said.

Gareth Baber will lead the Flying Fijians coaching team next month.
Photo: Fiji Rugby

“While we understand it will be a challenge for Gareth, we believe he will gel well with the Fijian players as they prepare for the three tests. We are thankful that Gareth took on the challenge.

“His involvement as the head coach will be the final curtain of his five year involvement with Fiji Rugby prior to moving to his new appointment.”

Fresh from his appointment as the skills and assistant attack coach with Edinburgh, Gareth Baber said he was thrilled to be given the opportunity to coach the Flying Fijians.

“Working with the Flying Fijians is a fantastic challenge in a very unique situation,” he said.

“With the logistical difficulties for Vern Cotter and his staff preventing their travel it falls to me to combine this unbelievable playing talent and expertise of the support staff into a winning formula in such a short space of time.

“But what an honour it is and I am fully aware of the expectation for performance for the three games and the opportunity this creates for all concerned.

“I would like to thank the FRU Board, CEO John O’Connor and High-Performance General Manager Simon Raiwalui for their trust and faith in my abilities and I’m determined to pay this back in representing the nation of Fiji to the best of my abilities.”

Former Springboks breakdown consultant Richie Gray worked with the Flying Fijians in Europe last year.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Four new caps have been selected in a streamlined 28-man squad for Fiji’s upcoming November tests, with former sevens stars Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Vilimoni Botitu, Aminiasi Tuimaba and Jiuta Wainiqolo all set to make their test debut.

Fiji Rugby General High Performance Manager Simon Raiwalui said despite the difficulties they have managed to assemble a strong team of experienced players from the French Top 14, PRO D2, England’s Premiership Rugby and United Rugby Championship in Wales.

“It’s a smaller squad than normal, normally we would travel with 32 players but due to shortage in positions we have got a group of 28 players who will have cover in majority of the areas,” he said.

“There are a couple of areas where will have shortage of players such as loosehead prop, hooker and halfback. We don’t have depth in these positions in the Northern Hemisphere and we would have brought in players from the Southern Hemisphere to fill in the positions but we have selected a great team.

Sevens star Aminiasi Tuimaba is among four new caps in the Flying Fijians squad.
Photo: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

“We have players who are returning from injury and missed a couple of tour with the Flying Fijians such as Viliame Mata and Nikola Matawalu. We have got three new players coming in from the Fijian sevens environment and the Olympic Gold medalists who have gone up north, Vilimoni Botitu, Aminiasi Tuimaba and Jiuta Wainiqolo,” Raiwalui added.

“It’s a strong and exciting squad and we looking forward to the challenge.”

The Flying Fijians squad will assemble on 31 October to begin their preparations, a week out from their opening test against Spain in Madrid.

Flying Fijians squad:

Peni Ravai, Eroni Mawi, Samuel Mativesi, Peniami Narisia, Luke Tagi, Mesake Doge, Leeroy Atalifo, Tevita Ratuva, Temo Mayanavanua, Albert Tuisue, Leone Nakarawa, Peceli Yato, Johnny Dyer, Masivesi Dakuwaqa*, Mesulame Kunavula, Bill Mata, Frank Lomani, Nikola Matawalu, Ben Volavola, Vilimoni Botitu*, Levani Botia, Eneriko Buliruarua, Waisea Nayacalevu, Josua Tuisova,

Eroni Sau, Aminiasi Tuimaba*, Jiuta Wainiqolo*, Seta Tuicuvu.

* denoted new cap

Flying Fijians management staff:

Gareth Baber (head coach), Duncan Hodge, Rory Best, Richie Gray (assistant coaches), Dan Baugh, Thomas McArdle (strength and conditioning), Matt Lee, Brian Downey, Osian Griffiths (physios), Matt Johnston, Josh Vuto (analysts), Clive Monkley (doctor), Chris Thomson (manager) , Alifereti Vakacokovanua (assistant manager).