Fiji under-20 player Simon Koroiyadi has secured a contract with Benetton for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The backrower will be teaming up with Onisi Ratave, a former player for Swire Shipping Fijian Drua. Earlier this year, Koroiyadi was part of the Fiji Under-20 Rugby squad that competed in the World Rugby U20 Championship held in South Africa.
The 20-year-old, hailing from Mudu, Koro in Lomaiviti, made his debut for Benetton during a friendly match against Harlequins last Saturday. Koroiyadi will join forces with Phil Cokanasiga and Ratave, forming a dynamic Fijian trio set to elevate the team’s performance.
Cokanasiga, who plays as a center, is the younger sibling of Joe Cokanasiga, a Bath Rugby and England international player.
In their recent match against Harlequins, the starting lineup for Benetton 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 impactful substitutes featured 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, under the guidance of head coach Marco Bortolami.