Three MLR signings named in Fiji team for Barbarians

Three players who have signed for Major League Rugby teams in 2020 have been named in Fiji’s squad to prepare for their Killik Cup match against the Barbarians on November 16 at Twickenham. John McKee has selected 27 players with only four members of the Rugby World Cup squad.

The team is heavily centered around local players with 20 having played for either the Fijian Latui or Fijian Drua in recent months. Among them are second row Tevita Naqali who will play for Old Glory DC, flyhalf or fullback Enele Malele who is heading to the Austin Herd, and winger Tira Patterson who has signed for the San Diego Legion.

Coming from the World Cup squad are loosehead prop Eroni Mawi, hooker Veremalua Vugakoto, flanker Mosese Voka, and scrumhalf Frank Lomani. The latter will move to Super Rugby with the Melbourne Rebels in 2020.

New Zealand-based inclusions are tighthead prop Samuela Tawake, locks Temo Mayanavanua,  Sikeli Nabou, and Viliame Rarasea, flanker Saimoni Uluinakauvadra, outside center Asaeli Tikoirotuma, and winger Patrick Osborne. Brisbane City flyhalf Teti Tela has been bracketed with locally-based Jone Manu.

Edinburgh signing Eroni Sau is the only European-based player named in the main group, though his inclusion is pending release from his club. Also waiting for club clearance are six France-based players who may be added later – props Sunia Vola and Isei Colati, second row Sevaro Domoni, No8 Laijaisa Bolenaivalu, midfielder Fred Hickes, and winger Watisoni Votu.

FORWARDS
Mosese Ducivaki (Drua), Eroni Mawi (Latui), Samuela Tawake (Manawatu), Joeli Veitayaki (Drua), Tevita Ikanivere (Drua), Veremalua Vugakoto (Latui), Temo Mayanavanua (Northland), Sikeli Nabou (Counties Manukau), Tevita Naqali (Drua / Old Glory DC), Viliame Rarasea (Counties Manukau / Kobelco Steelers), Johnny Dyer (Drua), Eremasi Radrodro (Drua), Mosese Voka (Latui), Saimoni Uluinakauvadra (Northland)

BACKS
Frank Lomani (Latui / Melbourne Rebels), Peni Matawalu (Drua), Serupepeli Vularika (Drua), Caleb Muntz (Drua), Teti Tela (Brisbane City) / Jone Manu (Latui), Cyril Reece (Drua), Asaeli Tikoirotuma (North Harbour), Apisalome Vota (Latui), Tira Patterson (Latui / San Diego Legion), Eroni Sau (Edinburgh) / Patrick Osborne (Canterbury), Jiuta Wainiqolo (Drua), Enele Malele (Drua / Austin Herd), Osea Waqa (Drua)

PENDING RELEASE
Sunia Vola (Oloron), Isei Colati (Hyères), Sevaro Domoni (Bergerac), Laijaisa Bolenaivalu (Vannes), Fred Hickes (Vannes), Watisoni Votu (Pau)