Waisea Nayacalevu, despite making allegations of unpaid bonuses and corruption within Rugby House, has been selected for the Flying Fijians squad for their upcoming tour in Europe. Alongside him, notable players such as Semi Radradra, Albert Tuisue, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Samuel Matavesi, and Meli Derenalagi, who have supported Nayacalevu’s claims, have also been included.
Nayacalevu and Tevita Ikanivere will serve as co-captains for the team. Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne stated that the selection process was unaffected by the ongoing allegations. He stressed his commitment to choosing the best players to represent the country on tour.
Peter Mazey, the interim chairman of Fiji Rugby Union Trustees, confirmed on Wednesday that the head coach has the ultimate authority on team selections, with the interim trustees having no influence in the matter.
Making a return to the squad is Josua Tuisova, the Racing 92 winger. During a Zoom conference, Byrne acknowledged the significance of the upcoming tour, which includes matches against Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Spain, highlighting the challenges posed by the opposing teams and the cooler climate they will face.
The absence of Iosefo Masi, a strong centre, was noted due to injury. Byrne expressed the team would miss Masi, who is currently in rehabilitation after a demanding schedule, including Super Rugby matches and the Olympic Games.
While some core players remain from the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC), Byrne has incorporated Sireli Maqala, Jiuta Wainiqolo, and Saimoni Uluinakauvadra into the squad. He explained Maqala’s selection in the full-back position based on his previous experience and mentioned the versatility of players in the backline.
The PNC squad enjoyed a rest period following their tournament and the Super Rugby season. Byrne indicated that training for the tour will commence next week, aiming to fine-tune combinations among the players.
Byrne expressed the need to evaluate and incorporate new talents to establish a well-rounded team, emphasizing the importance of offering young players opportunities to develop and contribute to the future of the squad.
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 Ireland on November 23 in Dublin.