Fiji Under-20 player Simon Koroiyadi has signed a contract with Benetton for the 2024-25 season. The backrower will be joining former Swire Shipping Fijian Drua utility player Onisi Ratave at the club. Koroiyadi represented the Fiji Under-20 Rugby team at the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa earlier this year.
The 20-year-old from Mudu, Koro in Lomaiviti made his debut for Benetton in a friendly match against Harlequins last Saturday. He will team up with Ratave and Phil Cokanasiga, forming a strong Fijian presence at the Italy-based club. Cokanasiga, a centre, is the younger brother of Bath Rugby and England international Joe Cokanasiga.
In the match against Harlequins, the lineup for Benetton Rugby included Rhyno Smith, Paolo Odogwu, Marco Zanon, Filippo Drago, Onisi Ratave, Jacob Umaga, Alessandro Garbisi, Simon Koroiyadi, Manuel Zuliani, Giulio Marini, Eli Snyman (C), Scott Scrafton, Riccardo Genovese, Siua Maile, and Nahuel Tetaz.
The bench featured players such as Mirco Spagnolo, Marco Manfredi, Enzo Avaca, Riccardo Favretto, Alessandro Izekor, Sebastian Negri, Toa Halafihi, Andy Uren, Leonardo Marin, Marco Scalabrin, Malakai Fekitoa, Louis Lynagh, and Matt Gallagher, with Marco Bortolami serving as head coach.