The Fiji Rugby Union has released Napolioni Nalaga to play for Nadroga in the double-header clash against Suva at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, on Saturday.

FRU chief executive officer John O’Connor said yesterday that they had released the burly former Flying Fijian winger.

“Nalaga has been released by his overseas club so we have him released to play,” O’Connor said.

Nalaga is expected to play at centre for the Stallions and an interesting battle looms against hard-hitting Fijian Drua veteran John Stewart, who is likely to start for Suva at No.13.

O’Connor also indicated that Glasgow Warriors lock Leone Nakarawa and hooker Mesulame Dolokoto have not been released by their club and are not going to play in the Skipper Cup Premiership opener.

“Probably the club is worried about the players getting injured,” O’Connor added.

In another surprise move, promising Fijian Warriors captain and first five- eighth Tuidraki Samusamuvodre is going to play for Naitasiri against Lautoka.

The former Nadi rep has been training under head coach, Ilaitia Tuisese Junior.

7s players

Meanwhile, O’Connor indicated that members of the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team are going to play in the second round of the Skipper Cup.

“Sevens coach Gareth Baber wants them together for the next few days, so they’ll miss the opening round this weekend,” he added.

The Fijian 7s team are preparing for next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games in Japan.

Japanese Ambassador to Fiji Masahiro Omura said the one-year countdown had begun.

“The Tokyo organising committee has confirmed that events in 2021 will take place at the same competition venues that were initially planned to be used in 2020,” he said.

“This included the new National Stadium which was completed in November, last year,”

Minister of Youth and Sports Parveen Kumar applauded the Japanese Government for its support.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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