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Flying Fiji Men’s Head Coach Mick Byrne named his extended squad for the 2025 Autumn Test Series, with the notable inclusion of former All Blacks Pita Gus Sowakula for the three-Test tour to England and Europe in November, which is important for all sides competing at the Rugby World Cup 2027.
The Fiji Rugby Union said, “The mission is clear: to take on the Northern Giants. With historic wins over England and France still fresh in our memories, and a tough away test against a spirited Spanish side, this is set to be a thrilling November. With the incredible talent at his helm, get ready for a fascinating and unmissable campaign”
The team is currently ranked 9th in the World Rugby rankings and will take on England (5th) on November 8th, France (4th) in Marseille on November 15, and finally Spain (14th) in Malaga on November 22.
When the RWC 2027 draw is made on 3 December 2025, the top six teams will be grouped in Band 1, while the next six form Band 2, and so on. Fiji would want to aim to remain in the second band.
In total, three new potential Fiji debutants are in the 32-man squad, which still has a strong Fiji Drua presence, with props Tim Hoyt (Worcester Warriors) and Atunaisa Sokobale (Castres Olympique) the others in addition to Sowakula. The former NZ back row forward has been playing for Clermont in France’s Top 14 since 2023 and last played in his two Tests for the All Blacks in 2022, and has now completed his three-year residential stand-down on July 9.
Interestingly, Sowakula previously represented Fiji on the international sporting stage, competing in basketball at the 2012 FIBA Oceania Under-19 Championships and later at the senior level before he switched to rugby.
Coach Byrne has also named five loose forwards in the squad, including Rugby Sevens World Cup winner Elia Canakaivata (who, like many of the squad, played in the PNC this year), while former All Blacks Sevens Salesi Rayasi is the only fullback selected in the squad. He was also part of the Pacific Nations Cup side, which defended the title earlier this year, beating Japan in the final in the United States.
Byrne said the squad represents the depth and quality of Fijian rugby, with players selected based on form, their commitment, and ability to deliver at the highest level.
Among the front-row forwards, the props selected are: Haereiti Hetet, Mesake Doge, Eroni Mawi (Saracens), Samuela Tawake, Sokobale and Hoyt, while three hookers are in the mix, including Tevita Ikanivere, Zuriel Togiatama, and Kavaia Tagivetaua.
No captain has been announced at this stage, but Tevita Ikanivere led the team to PNC glory and was a try scorer too, including in the final win. He was one of the top ball carriers for Fiji in that tournament
Among the locks, Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Vocevoce, Temo Mayanavanua (Northampton) and Setariki Turagcoke are selected, and other loose forwards are Lekima Tagitagivalu (Pau), Motikai Murray, Viliame Mata (Bristol), Canakaivata and Sowakula.
Elia Canakaivata was the team’s top carrier in the PNC and one of the players who made the most meters across the competition.
Caleb Muntz and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula will challenge for the fly-half berth, as they have done in recent seasons at club level for the Drua and for national honours.
Simione Kuruvoli, Philip Baselala and Sam Wye are the scrumhalves.
Among the centres, Josua Tuisova and Vilimoni Botitu are both in the squad, having missed the PNC but were involved in the first Tests of the year, as well as Sireli Maqala (Bayonne, Kalaveti Ravouvou, and Iosefo Masi. The Bristol-based Ravouvou, in the PNC, made 300m plus and beat the most defenders, and is in form.
The wings include Jiuta Wainiqolo (Toulon), Selestino Ravutaumada and Olympic silver medallist Ponipate Loganimasi.
The squad features far more European-based players than competed in the recent tests, which was to be expected, but several players (according to the fan feedback) have still missed out, although some were unavailable due to injuries or made themselves unavailable.
These include: Samuel Matavesi (Lyon), Peceli Yato (USAP), Nathan Hughes (Racing 92), Salesi Rayasi (Bordeaux Bègles), Vinaya Habosi (Racing 92), Semi Radrada (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Setareki Turagacoke (Stade Français), Albert Tuisue (Provence) among others.
