Versatile winger Vereniki Goneva is available for selection for the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians in Saturday’s Pacific Nations Cup match against Manu Samoa in Suva.

Head coach John McKee is confident Goneva will play against Samoa.

Goneva, 35, has been side-lined with an undisclosed injury for much of Fiji’s Rugby World Cup build-up campaign and did not feature against the Maori All Blacks, Japan and Canada.

The Harlequins-bound winger was undergoing rehabilitation training away from the main group, but joined the full squad yesterday at Suva’s Albert Park.

Another player who is yet to feature for the side is the France-based Setareki Tuicuvu. The Clermont fullback also trained with the main group at Albert Park, under the watchful eye of senior assistant coach Tabai Matson.

He might get the nod ahead of Alivereti Veitokani and Kini Murimurivalu, given that this is Fiji’s penultimate build-up match before the Rugby World Cup in Japan in September.

McKee said: “We’ll have a look tomorrow and decide on our team, but yes, ‘Niki’ (Goneva) is one of the players that could be in the mix this week.”

The Fijians are out of contention to retain the overall title, but the match is one of the final few opportunities for players to get some game-time.

McKee hopes to build on their 38-13 win against Canada last Saturday and surprise the Samoans on match day.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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