Australia A In For July Tests
Australia A is the fourth team that will be part of the Test series to be hosted by the Fiji Rugby Union in July.
Thursday 12 May 2022 | 18:00
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua captain Nemani Nagusa during the team’s training session at Albert Park, Suva, on April 29, 2022. Nagusa will be available for selection this week. Photo: Ronald Kumar
Australia A is the fourth team that will be part of the Test series to be hosted by the Fiji Rugby Union in July.
FRU chief executive officer John O’Connor yesterday confirmed Australia A’s participation. The other two nations are Tonga and Samoa.
“They are coming and the six Test matches will be held in Suva and Lautoka at Churchill Park,” O’Connor said.
Two matches will take place in Suva while four will be held in the west on Friday July 1, July 9 and 16 respectively.
According to O’Connor with the teams, dates and venues confirmed the Flying Fijians squad is expected to be summoned by head coach Vern Cotter soon.
In an interview with Cotter earlier this year, he said they would be looking at a mix of players to play for the upcoming test matches in July, October and November with a good number of the players from the Super Rugby Pacific and or the Skipper Cup.
Cotter had then said Fiji was taking on Samoa and Tonga in July, Japan in October, Scotland, Ireland and the French Barbarians in November.
He has been closely following the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in their debut in the Super Rugby Pacific series that goes into its 13th round this weekend.
“Coach Vern has settled in Nadi with his family, this will make things easier for him,” he said.
Meanwhile, keen to get more high-level rugby into Super Rugby players, Rugby Australia is sending a team to play three Australia A fixtures in July, at the same time as the Wallabies-England series, against Tonga, Samoa and Fiji.
Sydney Morning Herald disclosed that the July four nations’ six test matches in Fiji are an extension of World Rugby’s Pacific Nations Cup.
Australia A have helped launch careers, prepared players for big Test series and even had big wins - including over the 2001 British Lions.
According to RA, Australia A will be filled with non-Wallabies squad talent and coaches from Super Rugby.
The issue concerning some players with multiple heritages in playing for Australia A in July may scuttle their chances of playing for the likes of Samoa, Tonga, Fiji or even one of the UK nations.
World Rugby rules say each country has two XVs teams that capture eligibility: your senior team (for example Wallabies) and your second senior team (e.g Australia A).
The national sevens team also captures eligibility.
Feedback: karalaini.waqanidrola@fijisun.com.fj
