Semi Kunatani, Viliame Mata and Josua Tuisova are being eyed for Vodafone Flying Fijians duties this season leading up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Vodafone Flying Fijians head coach John McKee told SUNsports yesterday the three Rio Olympics gold medallists played well for their respective overseas clubs and have the potential to make the Flying Fijians.

“Semi Kunatani has been spending his game time on the wing with Toulouse and a player of interest,”McKee said.

“Viliame Mata is also impressive for Edinburgh in the PRO 12 competition.

“Josua Tuisova playing for Toulon in the Top 14 is high on the list.”

McKee said the focus now was to prepare the players for the test matches in June against the Wallabies on June 10 in Melbourne, Italy and Scotland here in Fiji.

This will be followed by the Pacific Nations Cup and Rugby World Cup qualifiers against Tonga in Tonga on July 8 and Samoa in Apia on July 15.

The top two teams will gain qualification as Oceania 1 and Oceania 2, with the third place team entering a home and away play-off against the winner of Europe’s Round 5 qualification match.

The winner on aggregate qualifies as the Europe/Oceania play-off qualifier, whereas the loser will head to the world repechage.

McKee confirmed he would be discussing with Vodafone Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber on Vatemo Ravouvou and Samisoni Viriviri.

“I will be talking to Baber and Ravouvou and Viriviri on their plan for the future. I will have to do the plan for the whole year not just first half.

“The local boys will concentrate on 7s for the rest of the World Sevens Series,” McKee added.

Meanwhile, McKee will be Europe next month to visit players in their respective clubs.

“With the Northern Hemisphere games in progress I’m watching many games in those competitions each week. I will be travelling Europe to watch the games live and visit players at their clubs.”

Edited by Osea Bola

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