Fiji Under-20 player Simon Koroiyadi has secured a contract with Benetton for the 2024-25 season. The backrower will be joining fellow countryman and former Swire Shipping Fijian Drua utility player Onisi Ratave at the club. Koroiyadi participated in the Fiji Under-20 Rugby team at the World Rugby U20 Championship held in South Africa earlier this year.
The 20-year-old from Mudu, Koro in Lomaiviti made his debut for Benetton during a friendly match against Harlequins last Saturday. Koroiyadi, alongside Phil Cokanasiga and Ratave, is expected to make a significant impact as a Fijian trio at the Italy-based club. Cokanasiga, who plays as a centre, is the younger brother of England and Bath Rugby international Joe Cokanasiga.
In their match against Harlequins, the Benetton Rugby lineup featured 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Paolo Odogwu, 13 Marco Zanon, 12 Filippo Drago, 11 Onisi Ratave, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Alessandro Garbisi, 8 Simon Koroiyadi, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Giulio Marini, 5 Eli Snyman (C), 4 Scott Scrafton, 3 Riccardo Genovese, 2 Siua Maile, and 1 Nahuel Tetaz, with substitutes including 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. The team is coached by Marco Bortolami.