Flying Fijians in Europe – 14 December

Fiji Airways Flying Fijians star lock Leone Nakarawa and number eight Viliame Mata have been named in the Champions Cup team of the week as the teams contested the third round of the European Club challenge.

Nakarawa as usual led from the front for his Racing 92 team as they defeated Leicester Tigers 36 – 26,  covering 53 metres from a match high 18 runs with three clean breaks, as many defenders beaten and four offloads.

Relentless Fijian No 8 Viliame “Bill” Mata, scouted from the sevens circuit, starred with 27 carries for 105m as Edinburgh scored 21 unanswered second half points to put away Newcastle 31-13.

‘Big Bill’ as he is affectionately dubbed by the passionate Edinburgh fans, has been in scintillating form throughout the 2018/19 season for both Club and Country, playing a key role in the Flying Fijians Northern Tour scoring against Scotland and being a dominating force against France.

Jale Vatabua has extended his commitment to the French Top 14 signing a further three year deal with Pau through to 2022.

The 27-year-old has been with Pau since arriving in France in 2012 and has now scored 13 tries in 98 matches for the club.

Timoci Nagusa (Montpellier) has made a successful return from the injury that kept him out of the northern tour scoring twice in Montpellier’s 10 point Champion’s Cup loss to Toulon.

Former Fiji Airways Flying Fijian Captain Akapusi Qera has signed with English side Hartpury.

The number eight, who has been a free agent since the end of last season when he left French Top14 club Agen, has been training with Hartpury for the last few weeks and is close to match fitness.

There is one final piece of paperwork required – believed to be a formality that will be completed this week – before he is eligible for selection.

He could be involved as early as next weekend’s final Championship Cup clash with Bedford Blues at the Gillman’s Ground.