Being named in the Vodafone Flying Fijians squad is the highlight of the season for first five-eighth Ben Volavola.

The 31-year-old Nabitu, Tokatoka, Tailevu, native who currently plays for Racing 92 in the Top 14 tied the knot in Sydney last weekend.

He joined the Flying Fijians squad for the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup last week; PNC will be played over three weekends with the other three teams including Australia A, Tonga and Samoa on the draw.

The Flying Fijians take on Tonga in its first match at 3:30pm at the ANZ Stadium on Saturday.

“It’s really good, really excited to get that (wedding) done,” Volavola said at the PNC launch in Suva on Tuesday night.

“Also excited to be home after three years, been really a long time because of COVID.

“Joining this team, which is filled with a lot of good and young players from the Drua, is really exciting for a lot of people. And I’m excited to see our squad grow in the next few weeks.

“It’s the highlight of my season, I really enjoy coming back and joining the boys, whether it be here in Fiji for the PNC or over in November, joining the squad is always a highlight for me.

“I’m blessed and every time I’m picked to join the boys, I really cherished the moments.”

He added that going against the Ikale Tahi in its PNC opener will not be easy.

“They are a dynamic backline, with the new inclusions, we are expecting a really tough game against Tonga,” he said.

“Not just in the backline but also in the forward pack, they are really big normally, strong and physical so we really are expecting a physical match against Tonga.”

He hopes to share his experience to the younger players in the squad.

“I have learnt a lot of lessons being away overseas and just trying to implement and teach the younger boys coming into the programme about those lessons and hoping to be part of their growth.

“Just normal lessons about skills, about the way the game is played and just trying to help them to be confident in expressing themselves.”

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj