Waisea Nayacalevu, despite his allegations regarding unpaid bonuses and corruption at Rugby House, has been included in the Flying Fijians squad for their upcoming tour in Europe. Alongside him, senior players such as Semi Radradra, Albert Tuisue, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Samuel Matavesi, and Meli Derenalagi, who supported Nayacalevu’s claims, have also been named.
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 it was unrelated to the ongoing issues, stating, “It has nothing to do with team selection. I’ll pick the best players to play for the country on the tour.”
Fiji Rugby Union interim Trustees chairman Peter Mazey confirmed that the head coach retains the ultimate authority over selections, indicating that the Trustees had no influence in that regard.
The squad also sees the return of Racing 92 winger Josua Tuisova. In a recent Zoom conference, Byrne noted the significance of the tour, where the team will compete against Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Spain. He acknowledged potential challenges, particularly with climate conditions, although he indicated that the cooler weather might be manageable.
The selection process, however, did not include Iosefo Masi, who is sidelined due to injury. Byrne expressed regret over Masi’s absence but emphasized that recovery is vital for him after a demanding season with the Fijian Drua and participation in the Olympic Games and the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC).
Masi has attracted interest from various Top 14 clubs, most recently Lyon, as a potential replacement for Radradra. While maintaining the core team from the PNC, Byrne has also integrated players like Sireli Maqala, Jiuta Wainiqolo, and Saimoni Uluinakauvadra into the roster.
Byrne mentioned that Maqala’s inclusion as a full-back is based on his previous experience in that position. He noted the versatility of players like Vuate Karawalevu, who can operate in both midfield and full-back roles, highlighting the depth and flexibility of the team’s backline.
The players have had a brief recovery period following the PNC and Super Rugby seasons, and Byrne indicated that training will resume next week to establish combinations for the tour. He expressed the importance of scouting and integrating new players to achieve the ideal team balance, stating that early opportunities for younger players will enhance their development and contribute to the team’s future success.
The Flying Fijians are set to play 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.