Flying Fijians Named For The Maori All Blacks Rematch In Rotorua
McKee said “The plan has always been to give as many players as we can the opportunity across the first two games as a lead up into the Pacific Nations Cup.”
Monday 15 July 2019 | 08:31
Fiji Airways Flying Fijians No.8 Viliame Mata dives over to score the second try against the Maori All Blacks at the ANZ Stadium, Suva on July 13, 2019. Photo: Ronald Kumar
Fiji Rugby Head Coach John McKee has named his 26-member extended Fiji Airways Flying Fijians squad for the final Pacific Series Test match against the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua this Saturday.
With so much depth in the squad McKee will be traveling with 11 new players who were not part of the historic 27-10 win over their New Zealand counterparts last weekend in Suva.
McKee said “The plan has always been to give as many players as we can the opportunity across the first two games as a lead up into the Pacific Nations Cup.”
He said it’s always good to test and judge the capability of the players against strong opponents
“We have got a number of players who probably got niggling injuries from the game but also some coming from Europe with minor injuries from the back end of the season and are on a rehabilitation programme.” McKee added.
Luke Tagi, Joeli Veitayaki, Ratu Veremalua Vugakoto, Johnny Dyer, Mosese Voka, Frank Lomani and Serupepeli Vularika are the local players who have made it into McKee’s extended squad.
“It’s an opportunity for these players to step up and show what they can do as everyone in the squad is vying for position in the final squad for RWC2019,” he added.
He said the work plan for the week has been mapped out as they prepare for another tough Saturday match-up.
“The plan for this week will also see a couple of new combinations working together, learning on the mistakes we made in our first match against the Maori All Black as we expect the second one to also be a really tough one,” McKee said.
Fiji Airways Flying Fijians 26 member squad
Lee-roy Atalifo
Campese Ma’afu
Peni Ravai
Luke Tagi
Kalivati Tawake
Joeli Veitayaki
Sam Matavesi
Tuvere Vugakoto
Api Ratuniyarawa
Tevita Ratuva
Albert Tuisue
Johnny Dyer
Nemani Nagusa
Dominiko Waqaniburotu
Mosese Voka
Frank Lomani
Henry Seniloli
Serupepeli Vularika
Josh Matavesi
Alivereti Veitokani
Sevanaia Galala
Waisea Nayacalevu
Jale Vatubua
Kini Murimurivalu
Filipo Nakosi
Patrick Osbourne
Feedback: rosi.doviverata@fijisun.com.fj
