Flying Fijians move a step closer to next year’s Rugby World Cup

Our final phase of preparations for next year’s Rugby World Cup in France starts today when the Flying Fijians head coach, Vern Cotter, announces his squad for the July Tests.

The World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) will take place from July 2-16 in Suva and Lautoka. A World Rugby invitation sees the Australia A side coming over to play against Samoa, Tonga and the Flying Fijians.

The tournament will be played in a round-robin format, with the PNC winner determined by the highest number of competition points at the end of the three match-days: a win is worth four points, a draw two points, and a bonus points for scoring more than four tries or losing by seven points or less.

Compared to the other PNC competitions, 2022 is of a higher magnitude because of the recent changes in eligibility laws by World Rugby.

The Tongans have named the likes of former star Australian Wallabies fullback Israel Folau, and exAll Blacks centres Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau in their squad.

Samoa has done the same by bringing former Crusaders No.8 Jordan Taufua, former New Zealand Under-20 captain now Moana Pasifika halfback Ereatara Enari, and former Wallabies centre Duncan Paia’aua.

We should expect a few surprises when Cotter releases the names of his squad.

It is understood that he used the weekend to monitor the players’ performances for their respective clubs in Europe, assess their workloads before making his final decision.

Already ruled out of the PNC because of injuries are Edinburgh No.8 Viliame Mata, Clermont’s Peceli Yato, and centre Semi Radradra of Bristol Bears.

This could see the inclusion of former All Blacks centre Seta Tamanivalu, former England No. 8 Nathan Hughes, and Fijian Drua’s Te Ahiwara Cirikidaveta.

All of this could be confirmed once the names of our Flying Fijians are released.

However, this is an opportune time for Cotter and his team of coaches to work with the players, assess their performance and do what is needed before the November tour to Europe.

This is where they’ll have a fair idea of the players they need to take to the RWC in France where we are in Pool C with Wales, Australia, Georgia and the fourth team yet to be decided (still undergoing the qualification process).