SVNS Dream Team star among three potential Fiji debutants in PNC opener

HSBC SVNS Series star Terio Tamani is in line to debut for the Flying Fijians in their Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 opener against Canada, with interim coach Senirusi Seruvakula selecting three uncapped players on the bench.

Fiji are going into another Pacific Nations Cup as the defending champions, having taken down Japan in the Final last year in Utah. The Flying Fijians also claimed silverware at the 2024 PNC, which was held in Japan.

Following a 0-3 run in the July Nations Championship Tests, Fiji will look to bounce back when they take on a Canadian side that’s also coming off a defeat. Canada suffered a 45-point loss to Japan last weekend in the JFRU 100^th anniversary match.

Tevita Ikanivere captains a Flying Fijians side that includes Peni Ravai and Mesaka Doge up front, and Mesaka Vocevoce and Temo Mayanavanua in the second row. Kitione Salawa and Motikiai Murray are the starting flankers, while Isoa Tuwai rounds out the backrow as the No. 8.

In the backs, Isaish Armstrong-Ravula has won the race to the start in the No. 10 jersey, with Caleb Muntz instead coming off the bench. Armstrong-Ravula will link up in the halves with Frank Lomani, while Tamani provides cover as the back-up scrum-half.

Tamani was named in the 2026 SVNS Dream Team of the Year in partnership with HSBC, along with Fiji Sevens teammate Vuiviwa Naduvalo. Penaia Cakobau and Inoke Ravuiwasa are also in line to make their Flying Fijians debut on Saturday.

Kalaveti Ravouvou starts in the halves alongside Virimi Vakatawa, who will have the experienced duo of Manasa Mataele and Joji Nasova outside them on the wings. Isikeli Rabitu will wear the No. 15 jersey as the starting fullback.

“They will be a very different challenge to the one that we faced against Japan. Japan’s very well-organised and diligent and disciplined in the way that they play. Fiji have that ability to call on their physical attributes and throw that ball around in all sorts of fashions.

“We know that they’re in a position at the moment where they are with an interim head coach, we know that Fiji’s advertised for a head coach, and they’ve brought in a new defensive coach for this tour so I’m not sure how much of an impact Dave Ellis can have in a week or two with them,” Canada coach Stephen Meehan told reporters this week.

“You always expect a free-spirited display and a challenge that comes in different ways every time you play a Fijian side.

“There’s a couple of things that we can do to try and negate what they are, what they want to do. If we’re disciplined and stick with our plan, I think we can frustrate them for long periods over the course of the weekend. If we can do that, we might be able to get our attacking game into gear and see what we can do to disrupt them.

“The key message with these teams is always to expect the unexpected. You must remain diligent and disciplined with your defensive game.”

Fiji team to take on Canada

1. Peni Ravai
2. Tevita Ikanivere (c)
3. Mesake Doge
4. Mesake Vocevoce
5. Temo Mayanavanua
6. Kitione Salawa
7. Motikiai Murray
8. Isoa Tuwai
9. Frank Lomani
10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
11. Manasa Mataele
12. Kalaveti Ravouvou
13. Virimi Vakatawa
14. Joji Nasova
15. Isikeli Rabitu

Replacements

16. Penaia Cakobau*
17. Meli Tuni
18. Inoke Ravuiwasa*
19. Isoa Nasilasila
20. Joseva Tamani
21. Terio Tamani*
22. Caleb Muntz
23. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre