Flying Fijians make three forced changes to Autumn Nations Series squad

Flying Fijians coach Mick Byrne has made three forced changes to the squad for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series, with a talented trio withdrawing their availability due to injury.

Fiji Rugby confirmed on Friday that forward Lekima Tagitagivalu has been ruled out of the November internationals alongside Paris Olympics silver medallists Iosefo Masi and Ponipate Loganimasi.

2025 HSBC SVNS Series Dream Team representative Joji Nasova has been called into the Flying Fijians squad after impressing during the Pacific Nations Cup, starting on the right wing against Japan in the tournament decider last month.

Fijian Drua lock Kitione Salawa has been brought into the national squad after making two appearances during the PNC, alongside Toulon centre Setariki Tuicuvu who replaces Masi in this Flying Fijians group.

“It’s disappointing for players that were named in the squad. It’s always disappointing when injury forces players out of a squad,” Byrne said in a statement. “But at the same time, it’s an opportunity for players to come in and take their opportunity.

“Again, as part of these selections, there’s a wide selection base now. It’s never an easy decision choosing players, but it’s around team balance and what’s best for the team. We’re fortunate that we have such a deep pool of players to choose from.”

Nasova adds genuine x-factor to this Fiji squad, having starred on the SVNS Series. Great Britain’s Harry Glover, Spain’s Manu Moreno and Pol Pla, Argentina’s Luciano Gonzalez and Marcos Moneta, and France’s Paulin Riva were also named in the 2025 SVNS Dream Team.

It was reported about 155 days ago that Nasova had penned a two-year deal with the Drua in Super Rugby Pacific, before the exciting rugby sensation earned international honours in the 15s game during the PNC.

Coach Byrne selected Nasova on the bench for the semi-final clash with Canada, with the former SVNS Series star scoring one try off the pine. Nasova scored a double in his starting debut for the Flying Fijians, as they secured the PNC title with a hard-fought win over Japan.

Salawa had played four Test matches for Fiji before this year’s PNC, featuring in the third round clash with Samoa at openside flanker, before Byrne selected the backrower in the matchday 23 on the bench for the PNC Final.

As for Tuicuvu, the utility back hasn’t represented the Flying Fijians in a Test match since November 2022, starting at fullback in a 35-17 loss to Ireland in Dublin. After impressing for Toulon in France’s Top 14, Tuicuvu is back in the national fold.

“With Loganimasi coming out, it gives Joji Nasova another time, another opportunity” Byrne explained.

“He showed in the PNC that he’s got a big upside to his game. And we’d like to continue growing him and giving him an opportunity to continue to grow within the team.

“Yeah, I think that was a very tough decision,” he added about Tagitagivalu being ruled out.

“We just feel that, you know, Kiti’s a player that we feel has got another lot of growth in him. And we saw him turn a corner in PNC around what’s required at this level. And we’d like, you know, we know that he can perform and we’re going to give him another opportunity to come in and take another step in his development.”