Watisoni Votu and Metuisela Talebula will look to get quality game time in the 2015 Skipper Cup ahead of the final selection for the Vodafone Flying Fijians to the 2015 Rugby World Cup (RWC).

Exeter Chiefs’ (United Kingdom) winger Votu and Bordeaux Rugby Club’s (France)  Talebula were named by Vodafone Flying Fijians head   coach John McKee in the 53-member extended national squad for the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) and the RWC.

The overseas-based duo will feature for Lautoka against Macuata in Round Four of the Skipper Cup this weekend.

Team technical director Apakuki Vacala said the inclusion of the pair boosted the team.

“Lautoka is keeping positive and we are looking forward to another good week,” Vacala said.

“Votu and Talebula are coming in with their experience from playing on the international stage. They have lifted the level of training and pushed their teammates to work hard.

“It’s a great opportunity for other players to learn a lot from them because they bring with them that international standard of training and play.”

Vacala said the pair’s inclusion would lift Lautoka’s game on Saturday.

“In last weekend’s game, we were unlucky because of the ground conditions. This weekend we expect a better game,” he said.

“We are boosted now with the return of Sam Speight from the Telecom Fijian Warriors and Votu and Talebula have joined us.

“We are working on our set pieces, our scrums, our lineout and our attack and defence. We want to improve and keep doing that in every game.”

Lautoka will feature in a double-header this weekend at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.

They play Macuata in the first match at 3pm on Saturday followed by Jack’s Nadi against Northland at 5pm.

Feedback:  eroni.tuinaceva@fijisun.com.fj