FRU names Vodafone Fijian Under-20 squad for Oceania Championship
Fiji Rugby Union is delighted to announce its Vodafone Fijian Under-20 squad traveling to Oceania Championship at Sun Shine Coast in Australia on Monday.
Vodafone Fijian Under-20 Head Coach Ifereimi Rawaqa said they have finally chopped down the squad to 29 after going through their process of scouting and different phases of training.
Rawaqa said “We prepared well for the last two years but unfortunately we were hit by COVID-19 so players who were in the Under-20 category graduated to senior-level, therefore, we had to start from scratch and manhunt the players.”
We asked players to write their expression of interest at the beginning of the year and then my coaching team set down and narrowed down the squad. We also traveled all around Fiji to test players so that we got the best-talented players into the squad and no one valuable was missed.
The Vodafone Fijian-Under 20 squad consists of players participating in the development and senior level of the Skipper Cup.
“These players have progressed well and are ready to take on New Zealand, Australia and Argentina at the Oceania Championship,” said Rawaqa.
He added “We have 12 players from Suva, 5 playing from Naitaisiri, 2 each from Lautoka and Nadroga, and one player each from Nadi and Northland.
We have also included 5 overseas-based players from France, Australia and New Zealand.
Rawaqa said that they are looking forward to playing in the Oceania Championship as this will give an opportunity to the team as a whole to monitor their standard against the world-class opponents.
“I think the important thing for us is to play against the top-level opponents and set a standard so that the players understand the level required to match when facing any overseas teams. This will assist these players when they graduate to the national level in the future” said Rawaqa.
The Oceania Championship kicks off on the 1 st of July at the Sun Shine Coast in Australia.
Fijian Under-20 Matches
1 st July Fiji VS New Zealand
5 th July Fiji VS Australia
10 th July Fiji VS Argentina
Fijian Under-20 squad to Oceania Championship
- Semi Qica Tailevu
- Vilikesa Nairau Suva
- Ponipate Naliva Suva
- Luke Tudulu Canberra
- Patemo Nuku Suva
- Benji Baseilala Suva
- Kavaia Tagivetaua Naitasiri
- Saula Qiolevu Naitasiri
- Jeniro Wakeham Stade Francais
- Emosi Natubailagi Suva
- Petero Mailulu Bourdex Begels
- Freddy Ralulu Lautoka
- Naibuka Naimasi Suva
- Isoa Tuwai Lautoka
- Motikiai Murray Suva
- Waisea Tudulu Canberra
- Johnathan Sovasova Suva
- Phillip Baselala Suva
- Tremain Little New Zealand
- Sikeli Rabitu Suva
- Ropate Rinakama Naitasiri
- Aisea Tuisese Naitasiri
- Malakai Nawai Suva
- Semiji Kaisau Nadroga
- Filimoni Nalawa Suva
- Jacob Usa Nadroga
- Jope Naserara Nadi
- Kevueli Sauvakacolo Naitasiri
- Tevita Boseiwaqa Northland