Don’t forget local-based players when it comes to national selection

The call for a review on the selection of national rugby teams (men’s and women’s) and the Fijian Drua (men’s and women’s) teams by a union senior official was a timely one.

This was highlighted by Naitasiri Rugby Union president, Ratu Peceli Rinakama, in support of newly appointed Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne’s statement of wanting to include Skipper Cup players in his selection for the upcoming international Test matches.

Byrne had emphasised on the need to grow and expand the national teams with more local-based players combined with the overseas ones.

He said the local-based players would be given the opportunity provided they prove themselves.

Ratu Peceli said local-based players are the very reason why rugby is very much alive in our country. He highlighted how many of the talented players in the current Naitasiri rugby squad in the Skipper Cup seniors’ competition had graduated from their Under-20 team. This is a much similar story with other major union teams like Suva, Namosi, Lautoka, Nadroga, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba and Macuata.

Towards the end of 2021, with the unavailability of overseas-based players, the Fiji Rugby Union had to look at the local players to make-up the Drua squad if it was to make its debut at the Super Rugby Pacific 2022 competition.

Then local-based players such as Vinaya Habosi, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Apisalome Vota, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Tevita Ikanivere, Meli Tuni, Meli Derenalagi, Peni Matawalu, Simione Kuruvoli, Chris Minimbi, Jone Koroiduadua, Sorovakatini Tuifagalele, Rusiate Nasove, Kitione Salawa, Kitione Taliga, Napolioni Bolaca, Vilive Miramira and so on took up the opportunity. They proved their worth when the Drua won two Super Rugby matches in its debut year- a feat franchise clubs from Argentina, South Africa and Japan cannot equal it. Then last year, the Drua went further ahead in reaching the Super Rugby playoffs.

We must stop underestimating our local-based players as they very much deserve to be given a fair go when it comes to selection.

Sadly, this was not the case when it came to the recent selection of the 30-member Vodafone Fijiana XVs squad.

Fijiana’s High Performance general manager Alana Thomas the squad was dominated by the Fijian Drua (from the Super W campaign) and oversea-based players.

What about the local-based players who have been playing week in and week out in the ANZ Marama Championship. Vodafone Vanua and the Royal Tea Ranadi Cup competitions? Why aren’t they considered for selection?

That is why we must take heed of the call for a review on a selection process. We’ve got to put in place mechanisms that will enable us to provide a pathway for our talented players from our local competitions. This is the way to go.