Super Rugby players on Mckee’s radar

The Super Rugby 2019 competition has started. This is a very crucial year taking into consideration that it’s the Rugby World Cup year. Already, rugby heavyweights New Zealand, South Africa and Australia have taken precautionary measures to ensure that their top players are not burnt out come the RWC in September.

For example, the Waratahs rested second-five-eight Kurtley Beale in their opening clash against Hurricanes last night.On Friday, we saw how the Highlanders and Chiefs have rested a number of their All Blacks players as well.

For the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians, this is an opportune time to look at the availability of some of these Super Rugby players who are eligible to play for us in Japan during the RWC.

Flying Fijians head coach John McKee has already indicated that Crusaders winger Manasa Mataele and Chiefs flanker Pita Gus Sowakula were under his radar.

Not only them, but also consideration should be given to the likes of former Fijian Under-20 and now Sunwolves first-five-eight Michael Little, Brumbies flanker Rob Valetini, robust Rebels No. 8 Isi Naisarani, Reds halfback Moses Sorovi and even Crusaders squad member Sevu Reece, who is a deadly winger and could spring a surprise if given a chance to play in the Super Rugby.

Although, playing for the Wallabies may come first for Valetini and Naisarani, they’ve not ruled out the possibility of playing for their country, if things don’t work out well for them in Australia.

There’s no harm in checking out these players availability because we need to put together a strong and powerful team with lots of depth for the RWC, which is staged after every four years. LEONE CABENATABUA Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj