John McKee has identified two Swire Shipping Fijian Warri­ors players with the potential to play for the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians side at September’s Japan Rugby World Cup.

Coach McKee returned from a three-day camp with Fiji’s Europe-based players in France last week to watch the Warriors demolish Sa­moa A 48-16 yesterday and defend the World Rugby Pacific Challenge.

He was particularly impressed with prop Luke Tagi and 19-year-old first five eighth Caleb Muntz.

“Luke Tagi is a young player who is developing all the time. He’s got huge potential and is one player I have a close eye on,” McKee said.

“Caleb, too, is a great young play­er. I first saw him last year when he came over for the Brisbane 10s tournament and he was a very skil­ful rugby player.

“He was quite influential when our Under-20s won the Junior World Trophy in Romania last year.

“I can see him developing all the time. He’s a young man who could have a fine future ahead of him playing for the Flying Fijians.”

McKee added that he will be ‘keep­ing a close eye’ on the two players as the season progresses.

The duo have been key to the War­rior’s Pacific Challenge campaign this year.

The Fijians claimed their fourth successive title after big wins against Tonga A, Junior Japan and the Samoans.

Muntz’s next engagement is with the Fijian U20 side that will play at June’s World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Argentina.

McKee said the door for local play­ers to make the World Cup squad was still open.

Three Flying Fijians were includ­ed in the Warriors team for this year’s Pacific Challenge, namely prop Eroni Mawi, hooker Mesu­lame Dolokoto and halfback Frank Lomani.

“I watch the first couple of games on live stream and made sure I was here for the last game so I could see our players in action,” the coach said.

“I’ve been impressed with the younger players and they’ve shown real potential in this competition, which could lead to more opportu­nities later in the year.”

Edited by Osea Bola

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