He was one of the unsung heroes in the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians historic 21-14 win over France in the Stade de France in Paris last November.

He held on to the ball to create the gap before delivering the pass to winger Josua Tuisova to crash over for a try.

This time, he is not in the 42-member Flying Fijians squad for the Maori All Blacks matches and followed by the Pacific Nations Cup.

Spending time with his family in Lautoka, France-based Metuisela Talebula said he has not given up his dream to play for the Flying Fijians at the September Rugby World Cup in Japan.

The former national 7s star playmaker was initially named in the John McKee’s 50-member training squad for the 2019 RWC in Japan.

“I’m always ready to play for Fiji but it’s the selection panel’s choice not to include me,” he said.

“The dream to play for Fiji is always there but the onus is on the coach and the selection. There are no hard feelings.”

Talebula added that it is all players’ dream to represent the country and there is no shortcut to achieve that. In the 2018/ 2019 Pro D2 season he made 16 appearances for Bayonne where he scored two tries.

His current club has been promoted to next season’s Top 14 and he’s looking forward to it.

“I did not earn much since I did not play much rugby, simply not enough game time. I would be looking forward to the next season and hope things do change a bit.”

The Flying Fijians are camping at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua