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Ikanivere to captain Flying Fijians for the Pacific Nations Cup
By Ben Smith
The Flying Fijians have named a 30-man squad for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup with Drua hooker Tevita Ikanivere named to captain the side.
The squad features 23 players from the Fijian Drua, bringing continuity to the national team after forming combinations through the Super Rugby Pacific season.
The six debutants are 21-year-old hooker Kavaia Tagivetaua, lock Mesake Vocevoce, centre Apisalome Vota, winger Epeli Momo, France-based midfielder Adrea Cocagi and former rugby league and Waratahs prospect Vuate Karawalevu.
A number of Fiji's France-based stars are unavailable including captain Waisea Nayacalevu who has club commitments. A handful of the Premiership players have been named, including Eroni Mawi of Saracens and Albert Tuisue of Gloucester.
The team will assemble on Friday for the first time for camp ahead of their home opener against Samoa next Friday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
In the new Pacific Nations Cup competition, Fiji is in Pool A with Samoa and Tonga, while Japan, Canada and USA are in Pool B.
The Flying Fijians 30-member squad:
Eroni Mawi (Saracens), Haereiti Hetet (Drua), Livai Natave (Drua), Samuela Tawake (Drua), Jone Koroiduadua (Drua), Kavaia Tagivetaua, Tevita Ikanivere (Drua), Mesulame Dolokoto (Drua), Peni Ravai (Queensland Reds), Isoa Nasilasila (Drua), Mesake Vocevoce (Drua), Temo Mayanavanua (Northampton Saints), Ratu Leone Rotuisolia (Drua), Albert Tuisue (Gloucester), Meli Derenalagi (Drua), Kitione Salawa (Drua), Elia Canakaivata (Drua), Frank Lomani (Drua), Peni Matawalu (Drua), Mosese Sorovi (Drua), Caleb Muntz (Drua), Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula (Drua), Inia Tabuavou, Iosefo Masi (Drua), Apisalome Vota (Drua), Epeli Momo (Drua), Adrea Cocagi (Castres), Selestino Ravutaumada (Drua), Vuate Karawalevu (NSW Waratahs) and Ilaisa Droasese (Drua).
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Latest Comments
I guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
Go to commentsWhatever let's see if this load of waffle is still valid in 2 years time. ABs will rise we have a lot of new talent coming through. The NPC was the highest standard for years. The game is changing to suit the fast pace we like to play. We get to play the Springboks more, including the franchises, which will make us better! Overall I am optimistic. I will add having watched the England game multiple times we made most of the play. England are an awesome physical team, but you can expect the All Blacks to get better and better at executing the chances. It could easily have been 5 tries to one instead of 3 to 1.
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