Seruvakula expects players to join Flying Fijians
FIJI Airways Fiji Drua coach Senirusi Seruvakula expects several players from his squad to force their way into the Flying Fijians team for the Killik Cup match against the Barbarians in England next month.
Fiji Drua, which is on a rebuilding mode after the exodus of many players from last year’s winning squad, will face Canberra Vikings in the National Rugby Championship semi-final in Australia this Sunday. The Fiji Drua players are taking the semi-final seriously with spots in the Flying Fijians team up for grabs because of the unavailability of the overseas-based players who have contractual obligations with their respective clubs. Since the match against the Barbarians is not within the World Rugby release window, many of the star players from the 2019 Rugby World Cup Flying Fijians squad will not be available.
Seruvakula said there were a lot of players in the Fiji Drua team who had the potential to get into the Flying Fijians squad.
“I spoke to national coach John (McKee) when he got back from Japan on Tuesday. In the next couple of weeks we will be doing the selection for the players who will be going to Twickenham,” he said.
“I believe many of these Fijian Drua boys will step up this weekend just to put their hands up for Flying Fijians selection because the professional players are heading back to their respective clubs in Europe.
“We expect the local players and some players who are playing in the Mitre 10 Cup in New Zealand to make up the national team. It will be a tough game against the Barbarians.”
Fiji will face the Barbarians at the Twickenham Stadium on November 16.