McKee names traveling squad for Rotorua match

Fiji Rugby Head Coach John McKee has named his 26-member extended Fiji Airways Flying Fijians squad for the final Pacific Series Test match against the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua this Saturday.

With so much depth in the squad McKee will be traveling with 11 new players who were not part of the historic 27-10 win over their New Zealand counterparts last weekend in Suva.

McKee said “The plan has always been to give as many players as we can the opportunity across the first two games as a lead up into the Pacific Nations Cup.”

He said it’s always good to test and judge the capability of the players against strong opponents

“We have got a number of players who probably got niggling injuries from the game but also some coming from Europe with minor injuries from the back end of the season and are on a rehabilitation programme.” McKee added.

Luke Tagi, Joeli Veitayaki, Ratu Veremalua Vugakoto, Johnny Dyer, Mosese Voka, Frank Lomani and Serupepeli Vularika are the local players who have made it into McKee’s extended squad.

“It’s an opportunity for these players to step up and show what they can do as everyone in the squad is vying for position in the final squad for RWC2019,” he added.

He said the work plan for the week has been mapped out as they prepare for another tough Saturday match-up.

 “The plan for this week will also see a couple of new combinations working together, learning on the mistakes we made in our first match against the Maori All Black  as we expect the second one to also be a really tough one,” McKee said.

Fiji Airways Flying Fijians 26 member squad

1. Lee-roy Atalifo
2. Campese Ma’afu
3. Peni Ravai
4. Luke Tagi
5. Kalivati Tawake
6. Joeli Veitayaki
7. Sam Matavesi
8. Tuvere Vugakoto
9. Api Ratuniyarawa
10. Tevita Ratuva
11. Albert Tuisue
12. Johnny Dyer
13. Nemani Nagusa
14. Dominiko Waqaniburotu
15. Mosese Voka
16. Frank Lomani
17. Henry Seniloli
18. Serupepeli Vularika
19. Josh Matavesi
20. Alivereti Veitokani
21. Sevanaia Galala
22. Waisea Nayacalevu
23. Jale Vatubua
24. Kini Murimurivalu
25. Filipo Nakosi
26. Patrick Osbourne