Australia A head coach Jason Gilmore yesterday said that Filipo Daugunu is fit to play against the Vodafone Flying Fijians tomorrow.

“Filipo is a 100 per cent fit he will start first this week on the left wing,” Gilmore said.

“He had a slide niggle last week which bothered him,” he said.

“He is excited to play Fiji here at home and it will be very special for him.”

Former Labasa football player Filipo Daugunu gets ready for training with the Australia A side at Albert Park on July 7, 2022. Photo: Ronald Kumar

Fullback Reece Hodge is out of the running following his call into the Wallabies camp in the weekend for the England series.

Wallaby fullback Tom Banks broke his arm in their 30-28 victory on Saturday.

Hodge was a shock omission from the Wal­labies squad; he was instead named Austral­ia A vice-captain for the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup hosted now in Fiji.

Gilmore has assured that are bringing in a bit of a rhythm in the game.

“We want to get our players running at the defensive line early,” he said yesterday.

He added that his side is ready to embrace the Fijian fans.

“This will be a great game and obviously the crowd will be electric; we are looking forward to that and we are going to embrace it,” he said.

Australia A side winger Mark Nawaqanitawase (right) getting ready for training with teammates at Albert Park on July 7, 2022. Photo: Ronald Kumar

“They (Flying Fijians) are a quality side and probably the best team in this competi­tion.

“If we can make the adjustments that we want to I think we should put on a good per­formance.

“If we can treasure possession as those guys love their off load game and turn overs.

“If we can control the ball I believe we can go well in our attacks.

“The number one thing about Fiji is that they love using the ball.

“We have to be sharp, well-connected and cut out offloads which is a challenge.

“Discipline was definitely a big work on for us and then we just working on our cohesion as a group.”

Feedback: simione.haravanua@fijisun.com.fj