Doge gets Flying Fijians recall for Wales clash

Veteran Fijian Drua tighthead prop Mesake Doge is currently on his way to Cardiff, Wales, to join the Flying Fijians squad.

This was confirmed to SUNsports yesterday after France-based tighthead prop Luke Tagi withdrew from the squad.

Doge, who was one of the standout players for the Drua during the Super Rugby Pacific season was one of the surprise omissions from the 32-member Flying Fijians squad that was announced by interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula.

He was earlier included in the 50-member squad.

Doge is the third player replacement. The first was Worcester prop Livai Natave replacing Atu Sokobale before Isikeli Rabitu stepped in for the injured Vinaya Habosi.

The other props in the Flying Fijians squad are Peni Ravai, Natave, Eroni Mawi and Tim Hoyt.

During training on Monday, the Flying Fijians had a session with former World Rugby 15s High Performance Match Official Allain Rolland on laws session- with players gaining a deeper understanding of the game’s laws and their current interpretations.

Meanwhile, Wales head coach Steve Tandy has opted to keep a low profile in their approach.

Under his guard the Welsh side has recorded their second successive win.

However, Tandy told BBC Sport that there is a lot of room for improvement.

“We’ve got to be better,” said Tandy.

“We’ve got to keep looking at ourselves because I still don’t think we’re ready yet to be focusing on the bigger outcome.

“We have to be more consistent right across the board, which this group are fighting tirelessly to do.”

Tandy outlined what success will look like in the upcoming Nations Championship tournament.

“We want to build and be more consistent,” said Tandy.

“If we are seeing more consistency in our performance, I’m going to be very happy, because that’ll be closer to winning games.”

Wales takes on the Flying Fijians at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday (Fiji time) at 1.05am followed by England at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool on July 11 and Scotland on July 18 in Edinburgh.