(L-R) Fly halves Nicky Little and Waisea Luveniyali will be part of the national trials at the National Stadium on Friday, 3 June.

Flying Fijian assistant coach Shannon Fraser is impressed with the level of fitness of local based players ahead of tomorrow’s Pacific Nations Cup trials to select a 50 member squad for the July tournament to be hosted in Fiji. 

While results have yet to be fully collated, initial impressions are that the daily training environment local players have been put through is paying dividends with local players having stepped up significantly since claiming the Pacific Rugby Cup (PRC) back in March for a third successive year. 

“Certainly they’re holding their own and I think in many ways they’re setting the benchmarks, setting the pace and they’ve made significant gains since the PRC,” Fraser said. 

“The guys that have been involved in the daily training programme, here in Fiji, have made some good inroads in relation to their strengths and in relation to their physical competencies…so we’re quite pleased with the way that’s going.” 

With the focus on developing Fiji’s traditional style of play, of expansive open running rugby, player’s bodies will also need to be developed accordingly. 

“We want to play a brand of football this year that’s going to involve a lot of running, we’re going to look to spread the ball, to keep the ball, and the ball will be in play a lot more than in previous tournaments, so we need bodies that can keep moving.” 

With two days of fitness tests now completed players march into camp today ahead of tomorrow’s trials where selectors will be looking at a number of key areas. 

“Obviously we’re looking at what the payer can bring on the field in relation to their skill execution and their potential to improve in the short-term,” Fraser said. 

“We’re looking at combinations at how players will operate within our style as well as looking at attitudes.” 

Three teams have been named for Friday’s trials which will be played in three 40 minute periods: 

GAME 1
Team 1
1.Waisea Daveta, 2.Vili Veikoso, 3.Benji Makutu, 4.Seko Kalou, 5.Tevita Cavubati, 6.Aca Ratuva, 7.Jimilai Naikadawa, 8.Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 9.Nemia Kenatale, 10.Jonetani Ralulu, 11.Apisalome Waqatabu, 12.Paula Karatu, 13.Adriu Delai, 14.Epeli Ruivadra, 15.Dan Rawaqa Reserve – Vesi Rarawa (tight head prop)
Team 2
1.Campese Ma’afu, 2.Tuapati Talemaitoga, 3.Manasa Saulo, 4.Jonetani Robanakadavu, 5.Aseri Tale, 6.Nemani Nagusa, 7.Samu Bola, 8.Andrew Durutalo, 9.Waisale Vatuvoka, 10.Waisea Yuveniyali, 11.Malakai Bakaniceva, 12.Ropate Ratu, 13.Ilikena Bolakoro, 14.Saimoni Vaka, 15.Illiesa Keresoni Reserve – lsei Colati (loose head prop) 

GAME 2
Team 1
1.Waisea Daveta, 2.Vili Veikoso, 3.Benji Makutu, 4.Seko Kalou, 5.Tevita Cavubati, 6.Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 7.Aca Ratuva, 8.Jimilai Naikadawa, 9.Nemia Kenatale, 10.Dan Rawaqa, 11.Apisalome Waqatabu, 12.Paula Karatu, 13.Adriu Delai, 14.Epeli Ruivadra, 15.Jonetani Ralulu Reserves – Sireli Ledua (hooker), Waisale Luveniyali (scrum half)
Team 3
1.Graham Dewes, 2.Sunia Koto, 3.Setefano Samoca, 4.Langi Peters, 5.Leone Nakarawa, 6.Dale Tonawai, 7.James Brown, 8.Asaeli Boko, 9.Vitori Buatava, 10.Nicky Little, 11.Vereniki Goneva, 12.Ravai Fatiaki, 13.Saula Radidi, 14.Napolioni Nalaga, 15. Sionasa Vunisa Reserves – Navitalai Bolatagici (hooker), Nikola Matawalu (scrum half) 

GAME 3
Team 2
1.Campese Ma’afu, 2.Tuapati Talemaitoga, 3.Manasa Saulo, 4.Jonetani Robana, 5.Aseri Tale, 6.Nemani Nagusa, 7.Samu Bola, 8.Andrew Durutalo, 9.Waisale Vatuvoka, 10.Waisea Luveniyali, 11.Jo Ravulovulo, 12.Ilikena Bolokoro, 13.Ropate Ratu, 14.Saimoni Vaka, 15.Iliesa Keresoni Reserves – Sireli Ledua (hooker), Nikola Matawalu (scrum half)
Team 3
1.Graham Dewes, 2.Sunia Koto, 3.Setefano Samoca, 4.Langi Peters, 5.Leone Nakarawa, 6.Dale Tonawai, 7.Semesa Gonevou, 8.Asaeli Boko, 9.Vitori Buatava, 10.Nicky Lailai, 11.Napolioni Nalaga, 12.Saula Radidi, 13.Ravai Fatiaki, 14.Vereniki Goneva, 15.Sionasa Vunisa Reserves – Navitalai Bolatagici (hooker), Vesi Rarawa (tight head prop), Jonetani Ralulu (flyhalf). 

Additional Reserves
Eroni Vasiteri (utility back), Sikeli Vuruna (utility back) and Senivalati Vunibola (lock) 

The trials kick-off at 3:00 PM at the National Stadium. The entrance fee is $1 with tickets available at epay booths in Suva and at Rugby House as well as at the gate from 2:00 PM on Friday.