Waisea Nayacalevu has been included in the Flying Fijians squad for their upcoming Europe tour, despite his claims of unpaid bonuses and corruption at Rugby House. Joining him in the lineup are notable players such as Semi Radradra, Albert Tuisue, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Samuel Matavesi, and Meli Derenalagi, who have all supported Nayacalevu’s allegations.
Nayacalevu and Tevita Ikanivere will serve as co-captains for the tour. When questioned about the selection process, Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne emphasized that the selections were not influenced by the current situation. “It has nothing to do with team selection. I’ll pick the best players to represent the country on the tour,” Byrne stated.
Fiji Rugby Union interim Trustees chairman Peter Mazey confirmed that the choice ultimately lies with the head coach. “We (interim Trustees) have no say in it,” Mazey noted. Another notable return to the squad is Racing 92 winger Josua Tuisova.
In a Zoom conference, Byrne highlighted the importance of the tour, where the team will compete against Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Spain. “It is a four-game tour and we are expecting a certain amount of challenge from our oppositions,” he remarked, adding that the cool climate in Europe should not pose a significant challenge.
The squad will miss Iosefo Masi, whose injury has prevented him from competing. Byrne expressed that Masi deserves time to recover after an intense season with the Fijian Drua, participating in all Super Rugby matches before the Olympic Games and the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC).
While maintaining the core of the team from the PNC, Byrne has included players like Sireli Maqala, Jiuta Wainiqolo, and Saimoni Uluinakauvadra. He explained that Maqala’s selection as a full-back reflects his previous experience in that position. Byrne noted the versatility of his players as one of the team’s strengths.
After a break following the PNC, Byrne indicated that training would commence soon, aiming to find the best combinations for the tour. He expressed a commitment to nurture young talent to ensure the team’s future success, stating, “The sooner we can start letting the young players play, the sooner they get better and build our future.”
The Flying Fijians are set to face Scotland on November 2 at Murrayfield, followed by matches against Wales on November 10 in Cardiff, Spain on November 17, and finally Ireland on November 23 in Dublin.