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The team that every neutral rugby fan loves, but also one of the more frustrating teams to support, the Fijian Men’s 15s team is set to take on Australia and Scotland before defending their Pacific Nations Cup later this year, followed by the Autumn Tests in November.
FIJI Water Flying Fijians Coach, Mick Byrne, says he has selected a 32-man squad for the July Test Series that will put on a performance that will make all Fijians proud. Fiji will face the Wallabies on July 6 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, Australia, and then Scotland on July 12 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva in Fiji.
The squad includes experienced internationals and newcomers, with players hailing from the Fijian Drua franchise, who had a poor Super Rugby Pacific campaign, and from clubs in Europe. At the start of the year, Byrne had revealed a pool of 80 players he was selecting from.
“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 focused on combinations that give us both tactical adaptability and the trademark Fijian spirit. We want to win – but more importantly, we want to win playing our brand of rugby.”
Byrne also discussed the need to step up as a Tier 1 team. “We are now part of the Nations Cup (in 2026), so we now need to step up as an organisation and as a group of players.
We are going to have to address the fact that we are now Tier One and everything that we are doing as an organisation and as a group must reflect that as we look at the next window of opportunity to present Fiji rugby to the world.”
“We are excited about the future of the game for our Flying Fijians. Over the past few years, we have been given 1 or 2 opportunities to play Tier 1 nations teams, and it's been a challenge for us and also exciting.”
In May this year, Mr. Roverto Nayacalevu resigned from his role as Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Rugby Union due to personal reasons, and former Fiji international and rugby executive Mr. Koli Sewabu was put in place as acting CEO of FRFU. At around the same time, Naca Cawanibuka was appointed as the new General Manager – High Performance, a leadership role responsible for steering Fiji Rugby’s elite performance strategies and athlete development programs, said the union.
When Fiji plays Australia in July, it will be the first time the teams have faced each other since Fiji beat the Wallabies at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, breaking a 69-year drought.
The Wallabies have selected Western Force back rower Nick Champion de Crespigny and ACT Brumbies winger Corey Toole as two uncapped players in the squad. Will Skelton is the only overseas-based player in the squad of 36.
Wallabies Head Coach Joe Schmidt said: “Selection is always tight and there’ll be players who are excited and those who are disappointed. As coaches, there was a lot of healthy, robust discussion, and we think we’ve selected a group that will work hard and connect well as a squad.
This squad’s immediate focus is Fiji, and we will need to hit the ground running having not been together since early January.”
Scotland’s visit to Fiji for the one-off test will be their first game on Fijian soil since 2017. When the sides last met in November 2024, the Scots were 57-17 winners, with Darcy Graham scoring four tries.
Gregor Townsend names Rory Darge as captain for matches against Maori All Blacks, Fiji and Samoa with a touring squad of 36 players. Hooker George Turner returns after fold after playing in the JRLO with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers and will be with Harlequins next season in the Prem.
The Scots will have three uncapped players: stand-off Fergus Burke, back-row Alexander Masibaka, and tighthead prop Fin Richardson.
There are 13 players from the Fijian Drua in the 32-person squad, which is the biggest contingent, such as Tevita Ikanivere, Caleb Muntz, and Iosefo Masikau Baleiwairiki.
10 players based in France (Racing 92, Lyon, Castres, and Pau)
5 players based in England (Saracens, Bristol, and Northampton)
1 player from New Zealand (Hawke’s Bay)
3 with Super Rugby or overseas academy experience.
Some of the key names in the squad include a powerful potential backline with Viliame Mata (Bristol), Josua Tuisova (Racing 92), Sireli Maqala (Bayonne), and potential new cap Salesi Rayasi (Vannes) all included. Rayasi has previously played for Samoa U20 and for the NZ 7s.
Frank Lomani was ruled out due to injury recovery after undergoing surgery during the Super Rugby season, and Fijian Drua halfback Philip Baselala has got the nod.
Among the forwards, there is experience in the shape of Eroni Mawi (Saracens), Samuel Matavesi (Lyon), and Albert Tuisue (Gloucester).
There are some other notable absentees in the squad, possibly down to club availability, including Peceli Yato (USA Perpignan), but he had previously quit the Fiji national team on the eve of RWC 2023 despite sections of fans calling for him to return, Setareki Tuivucu (Toulon), Semi Radradra (Lyon).
Since the World Rugby eligibility changes, there are more rumours and speculation than ever before about players switching allegiances.
Former All Blacks and Chiefs backrower Pita Gus Sowakula has reportedly expressed interest in playing for Fiji, Mick Byrne said in an interview with FijiVillage’s Straight Talk. He would be eligible after ending his All Blacks career on July 6, 2025, and the loose forward will be in Fiji to get married and will meet the Head Coach to discuss his future.
Forwards: Eroni Mawi, Luke Tagi, Haereiti Hetet, Mesake Doge, Peni Ravai, Tevita Ikanivere, Samuel Mativesi, 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, Isaia Armstrong-Ravula, Vilimoni Botitu, Josua Tuisova, Iosefo Masikau Baleiwairiki, Sireli Maqala, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Ponipate Loganimasi, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Selesitino Ravutaumada, Salesi Rayasi.
