Flying Fijians and Manu Samoa rugby squads revealed
The Flying Fijians putting in some defense work against Manu Samoa at Apia Park on Saturday. 29 July 2023.
Photo:
Piui Simi / Samoa Observer
Player omissions were noticed when the Flying Fijians and Manu Samoa head coaches announced their respective squads for upcoming international commitments.
Flying Fijians new manager Paula Biu, himself a former national rep, announced a 32-member squad in Suva on Wednesday afternoon, minus veteran centre Semi Radradra, number eight Peceli Yato, Fijian Drua fullback Vuate Karawalevu and former All Black, Pita Gus Sowakula.
Head coach Mick Byrne, fielding questions from the media after the announcement, said some players were unavailable because of club changes and movements.
Radradra is moving to Japan but both Yato and Sowakula are in France, their absence raised by the media at the team announcement.
Manu Samoa's anouncement on Tuesday also had the same effect with fans and the media asking where are some of the consistent performers with Moana Pasifika during the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Names mentioned included flanker Miracle Failangi, who was joint top try-scorer with Kyren Taumoefolau for Moana Pasifika this year.
Also missing is livewire hooker Sama Malolo and halfback Jonathan Taumeiteine.
Moana Pasifika quartet Failagi, Taumateine, Danny Toala and Lalomilo Lalomilo are busy with the National Provincial Championship in New Zealand.
Hurricanes scrumhalf Ereatara Enari is also committed to NPC.
Manu Samoa head coach, Lemalu Tusi Pisi, said the selection has been a mix of young and experienced players, who will rise to the occasion when needed to.
A big addition to the Flying Fijians squad is that of former Hurricanes utility backline player Salesi Rayasi.
Rayasi, who now plays out of France, is set to make his debut for the Fijians against either the Wallabies or Scotland in July.
The Flying Fijians face the Wallabies in Sydney on 6 July and Scotland in Suva the weekend after, in their opening matches of the 2025 Test series.
The Fijians will then defend their Pacific Nations Cup title from August, with matches against Tonga and Samoa, before the elimination series against Canada, USA and Japan.
Flying Fijian head coach Mick Byrne.
Photo:
©INPHO/Ben Brady
Byrne said it is exciting time for the team, with new players added and others missing out.
He thanked all the players who had stated their willingness to play for Fiji.
He said some quality players have missed the final 32 announced. The initial squad had over 80 players.
"We are very excited by the squad that we've named," he said.
"Both Australia and Scotland are established tier one sides, and we know the level we need to rise to. This squad reflects the depth, strength; and we will give a performance that will make all Fijians proud.
"We've got some very good experienced hands in there with a couple of young players that we've given the opportunity to."
Byrne said the Flying Fijians now face the tough challenge of having to step up and play consistently as a tier one nation, with the team's inclusion in the Nations Cup competition from 2026.
"We are excited by the future of the game for our Flying Fijians," he stated.
"Over the past year we have been gven the oppoprtunity to play one or two tier one teams. As of next year we are in the Nations Cup," he said.
"We are now part of the Nations Cup, which is a combination of both the Six Nations and the Rugby Championship competitions. We now need to step up as an organisation and as a group of players.
"We need to adress the fact that we are now tier one and everything we are doing as an organisation and as a group must reflect that, and we are looking forward to the next window of opportunity to present Fiji to the world."
Fijian Drua captain for 2025 Tevita Ikanivere will replaces former captain Waisea Nayacalevu, who
announced his retirement
from international rugby a week ago.
New players named in the squad includes Drua halfback Philip Baselala, Hawkes Bay scrumhalf Sam Wye, Kavaia Tagivetaua and former Fiji under-20 captain Motikai Murray.
A total of 13 players from the Fijian Drua, 10 players based in France, five based in England and one from New Zealand are in the Fiji squad.
The Flying Fijians 32-member squad: Forwards: Eroni Mawi (Saracens - UK), Luke Tagi (Bayonne, FR), Haereiti Hetet (Fijian Drua), Mesake Doge (Fijian Drua), Peni Ravai (Fijian Drua), Tevita Ikanivere (Captain - Fijian Drua), Sam Matavesi (Lyon - FR), Kavaia Tagivetaua (Fijian Drua), Isoa Nasilasila (Fijian Drua), Mesake Vocevoce (Fijian Drua), Temo Mayanavanua (Northhampton-UK), Setareki Turagacoke (Stade Francais-FR), Viliame Mata (Bristol-UK), Elia Canakaivata (Fijian Drua), Lekima Tagitagivalu (Pau-FR), Albert Tuisue (Gloucester-UK), Etonia Waqa (Fijian Drua), Motikai Murray (Fijian Drua);
Backs - Simione Kuruvoli (Fijian Drua), Philip Baselala (Fijian Drua), Sam Wye (Hawkes Bay-NZ), Caleb Muntz (Fijian Drua), Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula (Fijian Drua), Vilimoni Botitu (Castres-FR), Josua Tuisova (Racing 92-FR), Iosefo Baleiwairiki Masi (Fijian Drua), Sireli Maqala (Bayonne-FR), Kalaveti Ravouvou (Bristol-UK), Ponipate Loganimasi (Fijian Drua), Jiuta Wainiqolo (Toulon-FR), Selestino Ravutaumada (Fijian Drua), Salesi Rayasi (Vannes-FR).
Meanwhile, Manu Samoa have a number of players who play in the United States and compete - or have competed - in the Major Rugby League there.
Former USA Eagles prop Titi Lamositele is recalled after missing out on World Cup selection, along with Houston hooker Pita Anae-Ah Sue, San Diego scrumhalf Connor Tupai, Utah duo Aki Seiuli and D'Angelo Leuila, Seattle pair Olajuwon Noa and Rodney Iona, and NOLA Gold star Jonah Mau'u.
Former Colorado Raptors forwards Marco Fepulea'i, Michael Curry, and Sam Slade keep their places in the squad.
Loose forward Niko Jones, who played for Old Glory in 2023, has been included in the Manu Samoa squad, like his father and former All Black star La'auli Savae Michael Jones did.
Head coach Pisi said the fact that the Pacific Nations Cup doubles as a qualifier for the 2027 World Cup means they will have to be at their best.
The Nations Cup will see Samoa meet Fiji and Tonga before getting into the eliminations against Canada, Japan and USA.
Pisi said he is excited by the squad and the selection is a balanced one, with some unavailable because of injury.
Samoa's now coach, Tusi Pisi in his playing days.
Photo:
AFP
"I have chosen warriors who understand the weight of the jersey," Pisi stated during the squad announcement at the Lakapi Samoa head office in Apia.
"Our selection blends experience with fresh talent-players, who rise to the challenge of representing our people.
"With our first test against Scotland, we respect them, but we play for Samoa. And with the Pacific Nations Cup, it becomes our battlefield for World Cup qualification where every tackle, every scrum, and every point is a step towards Australia 2027."
The international season will kick-off with a landmark test match against Scotland on Friday, 18 July.
lakapi Samoa chief executive Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun said Manu Samoa have a challenging season ahead.
The side will play their home matches away from Apia, since Apia Park is closed for major repairs, with the test
against Scotland in Auckland
and the Nations Cup clash
against Fiji in Rotorua
.
"Congratulations to head coach Lemalu Tusi Pisi and our selectors on naming our first Manu Samoa squad of the year," he said.
"A special acknowledgment as well to all our new debutants, a proud moment not just for them, but for their families, villages, and communities who've stood behind them every step of the way.
"It's a significant occasion for Lakapi Samoa as we prepare to face a proud tier one nation like Scotland at Eden Park.
"This historic test, along with the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup, are key steps as we continue to build depth, strengthen connections, and reignite pride in the jersey heading into the next international cycle."
Chun said the Scotland test provides a crucial platform for Pisi and his players, before heading into the Nations Cup series.
Manu Samoa squad: Forwards - Titi Lamositele (Harlequins, UK), Aki Seiuli (Utah Warriors, MLR), Kaynan Siteine-Tua (Western Sydney Two Blues, AU), Pita Anae-Ah Sue (Houston SaberCats, MLR), Leif Schwencke (Linton Lions), Luteru Tolai (Biarritz, FR), Michael Ala'alatoa (Clermont Auvergne, FR), Bradley Amituanai (Waratahs, AU), Marco Fepulea'i (Colomiers, FR), Tietie Tuimauga (Montauban, FR), Michael Curry (Moana Pasifika), Ben Nee-Nee (Kamaishi Seawaves, JP), Sam Slade (Moana Pasifika), Malaesaili Elato (Apia Marist), Niko Jones (Waitemata, NZ), Iakopo Mapu (Northampton Saints, UK), Jonah Mau'u (NOLA Gold, MLR), Theo McFarland (captain., Saracens, UK), Olajuwon Noa (Seattle Seawolves, MLR), Taleni Seu (Toyota Shuttles, JP);
Backs - Joel Lam (Canterbury, NZ), Melani Matavao (Moana Pasifika), Connor Tupai (San Diego Legion, MLR), Rodney Iona (Seattle Seawolves, MLR), D'Angelo Leuila (Utah Warriors, MLR), Jacob Umaga (Benetton Treviso, IT), Afa Moleli (Ardmore Marist, NZ), Melani Nanai (Capilano, CA), Duncan Paia'aua (Toulon, FR), Henry Taefu (Osaka Red Hurricanes, JP), Elisapeta Alofipo (Hunter Wildfires, AU), Tomaso Alosio (Ardmore Marist, NZ), Taunu'u Niulevaea (Samoa Sevens), Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong (Western Sydney Two Blues, AU), Tuna Tuitama (Moana Pasifika).
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