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‘It’s all about Fiji’: Coach Mick Byrne sets the tone ahead of July Tests
By Finn Morton
Head coach Mick Byrne has selected the strongest possible Flying Fijians squad ahead of Tests against the Wallabies and Scotland next month. After announcing a 44-man extended squad last week, Fiji have cut their playing group down to 32 ahead of the July internationals.
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Former Hurricanes winger Salesi Rayasi is one of the uncapped players in this Fiji squad, along with Hawke’s Bay halfback Sam Wye. There’s plenty of experience and cohesion in the group overall, with 13 Fijian Drua players selected for national honours.
Drua stalwarts Tevita Ikanivere, Caleb Muntz and Iosefo Masi are among those making the step up from Super Rugby Pacific to the international arena. Their inclusion in the national side was announced on Thursday, the same day the Drua confirmed the trio are leaving the club.
Fiji will start their 2025 international season with a blockbuster away to Australia at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium on July 6. That is the Wallabies’ one and only Test of the year before they take on the British & Irish Lions in a highly anticipated three match series.
After that match, the Flying Fijians will return home, where they’ll host Scotland at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium six days later. In a video released on Fiji Rugby’s Facebook page, coach Byrne called on Fiji fans to bring the “noise” in that home Test.
“Today is an exciting day for Fiji Rugby. We announced a good squad,” Byrne said.
“Obviously, it’s as strong as we can select at the time so that’s excellent and we’re really looking forward to getting together at the end of June and going over to Australia and putting on a great performance against the Wallabies and Then coming home and playing our Test match here against Scotland.
“I think for us, coming home, we don’t play a lot of home games here in Fiji as a national team and we know around the world, a lot of Fijians turn up, communities turn up. We’re really looking forward to seeing our homebase fans turn up, to come watch us against Scotland.
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“Really looking forward to the noise and the party atmosphere we can create, and make it as uncomfortable off the field as we can for Scotland on the rugby day. Obviously we’re great hosts… our people look after our guests but on Saturday, the 12th of July, it’s all about Fiji.”
Josua Tuisova, who plays for Parisian side Racing 92 in France’s Top 14, has also been included in the squad, with Byrne having genuine world-class backs to choose from in these fixtures against the Wallabies and Scotland.
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula will compete with Muntz for the starting spot at first five-eighth, just as the pair have done for a couple of seasons in Super Rugby Pacific. This year, Armstrong-Ravula started nine of 13 appearances for the Dura in the No. 10 jersey.
But during the Pacific Nations Cup and Autumn Nations Series last year, Armstrong-Ravula was mostly used as a fullback in the starting side. Byrne had told reporters that both playmakers were “world-class” options for the Flying Fijians.
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Flying Fijians 32-man squad
Forwards
Eroni Mawi
Luke Tagi
Haereiti Hetet
Mesake Doge
Peni Ravai
Tevita Ikanivere
Samuel Matavesi
Kavaia Tagivetaua
Isoa Nasilasila
Mesake Vocevoce
Temo Mayanavanua
Setareki Turagacoke
Viliame Mata
Elia Canakaivata
Lekima Tagitagivalu
Albert Tuisue
Etonia Waqa
Motikai Murray
Backs
Simione Kuruvoli
Philip Baselala
Sam Wye
Caleb Muntz
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
Vilimoni Botitu
Josua Tuisova
Iosefo Balewairiki
Sireli Maqala
Kalaveti Ravouvou
Ponipate Loganimasi
Jiuta Wainiqolo
Selestino Ravutaumada
Salesi Rayasi