Fiji Rugby Launches Fijian Latui Programme, Names 37-Member Squad for European Assembly
Fiji Rugby has officially launched the Fijian Latui Programme, marking a significant step towards strengthening player development pathways, expanding international opportunities and building Fiji’s presence in European rugby.
The programme was unveiled at Butt Street Hall in Suva today, alongside the announcement of a 37-member squad, comprising players from Fiji’s domestic competitions and overseas-based professional clubs.
Fiji Rugby Chief Executive Officer Koli Sewabu said the initiative represents more than establishing another Fijian rugby team in Europe. It is part of the organisation’s wider strategy to develop players, coaches and management personnel while creating opportunities that will ultimately benefit rugby in Fiji.
“For us, this is about much more than putting another Fijian rugby team on the field in Europe,” Sewabu said.
“It’s about giving our players and coaches more opportunities, building stronger relationships overseas and making sure Fiji Rugby is in a better position to benefit from the opportunities available in the international game.”
Strengthening the Pathway to International Rugby
The Fijian Latui Programme forms part of Fiji Rugby’s commitment to Performance Excellence, with a focus on preparing emerging talent for the demands of professional and international rugby.
The squad brings together players competing in France, other overseas competitions and Fiji’s domestic rugby system, providing an opportunity for local talent to gain valuable exposure in a European rugby environment.
Of the 37 players named, 12 will travel from Fiji, including 10 representatives from the Skipper Cup competition, Fijian Drua prop Mesake Doge and New Zealand-based Samuela Tawake.
The Skipper Cup representatives include players from Naitasiri, Nadi, Nadroga, Suva, Ba and Kadavu, highlighting the continued importance of provincial rugby in developing Fiji’s next generation of international players.
Sewabu emphasised that the Latui Programme is designed to complement, rather than replace, Fiji’s existing domestic competitions and national development structures.
“The intention is to strengthen those existing pathways and, over time, give our national selectors a wider pool of players who are better prepared for international rugby,” he said.
The Fiji Rugby High-Performance Unit is working towards the squad’s planned assembly in France on 11 November 2026.
Developing Fiji’s Next Generation of Coaches
The programme will also provide professional development opportunities for Fijian coaches through direct exposure to European coaching systems and high-performance environments.
Former Flying Fijians Head Coach Patrice Lagisquet has been named Head Coach and Rugby Director of the Fijian Latui, supported by a coaching and management group comprising locally and internationally based personnel.
Three coaches travelling from Fiji, Senirusi Seruvakula, Kele Leawere and Cohen Politini, will work alongside Lagisquet and the Europe-based coaching staff as part of Fiji Rugby’s strategic coaching development initiatives.
The attachments are intended to strengthen coaching capabilities and contribute to improved performance across Fiji Rugby’s development and national programmes.
Sewabu said investing in coaching and management expertise is equally important to producing international-quality players.
“And that is important because we cannot focus only on developing players. We also need to develop the people who coach, manage and support them,” he said.
Player Welfare at the Heart of the Programme
The Fiji Rugby Players Association (FRPA) has welcomed the launch, highlighting the importance of protecting players’ interests as they pursue professional opportunities overseas.
Speaking on behalf of the Association, Wame Lewaravu emphasised that the success of international player pathways must be measured not only through performances and contracts, but also through the wellbeing and long-term development of players.
“The proper channel is not a barrier. It is a safeguard,” the Association’s address stated.
The Association stressed the importance of ensuring that schools, provincial unions, Fiji Rugby and families remain involved in decisions concerning players moving into overseas professional rugby.
It also highlighted the challenges players can face when adapting to unfamiliar environments, including separation from family, cultural differences and the expectations that come with professional contracts.
“A player is first a person, a son or daughter, a member of a community. Their wellbeing, on and off the field, must be our first responsibility and never an afterthought.”
The Association reaffirmed its commitment to working with Fiji Rugby, schools, provincial unions and international partners to prepare players for overseas careers, strengthen welfare support and promote education and life beyond rugby.
Lewaravu has also been named in the Fijian Latui management structure in a player welfare role.
Building International Partnerships and Commercial Opportunities
Beyond high-performance development, Fiji Rugby sees the Latui Programme as an opportunity to strengthen its relationships with international clubs, rugby organisations and commercial partners.
Sewabu said Fiji’s global rugby reputation provides a strong foundation for exploring new partnerships and revenue opportunities that can support the long-term sustainability of the game.
“We cannot continue to rely only on our traditional sources of funding. We need to explore new partnerships, new markets and new ways of generating revenue,” he said.
Fiji Rugby also acknowledged Axellerate Fiji for its offer of merchandise sponsorship support, which remains subject to the necessary commercial clearances.
Sewabu stressed that any commercial success generated through the programme must translate into meaningful investment in Fiji’s players, competitions and rugby development structures.
A New Opportunity for Fiji Rugby
The launch of the Fijian Latui Programme represents another step in Fiji Rugby’s efforts to create a stronger connection between domestic development and the international professional game.
With 37 players selected and a coaching and management structure established, the programme aims to provide valuable experience, strengthen professional pathways and create opportunities for the next generation of Fijian rugby talent.
For Sewabu, the ultimate measure of the programme’s success will be its contribution to the future of rugby in Fiji.
“At the end of the day, our responsibility is to make Fiji Rugby stronger, not just for the players representing us today, but for those who will wear the white jersey in the years to come.”
The team will play their opening match on 14 November, followed by their second match against Ireland A on 20 November. Both matches will take place in Cork, Ireland.
Fijian Latui – November 2026 Squad
FORWARDS
- Emosi Tumania – Bayonne
- Sylvester Vakauliafa – Vannes
- Sesoni Tamani – Castre
- Ratu Osea Dasalusalu – Naitasiri
- Joseva Baleiloa – Kadavu
- Johnny Muller – Naitasiri
- Mesake Doge – Fijian Drua
- Samuela Tawake – New Zealand
- Kaliova Bulai – Angoulême
- Peni Naruma – Nadi
- Petero Mailulu – Stade Français Espoir/Fiji U20
- Watisoni Waqanisaravi – La Rochelle
- Ratu Meli Turagaca – Chambéry
- Isaia Lotawa – Ba
- Francis Peters – Bordeaux
- Apisalome Kuruisaqila – Béziers
- Mosese Tabuakoto – Stade Français Espoir/Fiji U20
- Isoa Koronawai – Suva
- Joshua Thomson – Grenoble
- Veresa Ramototabua – Castre Olympique
BACKS - Camron Kelemeti – Doncaster/MLR
- Leone Nawai – Nadi
- Iliesa Baravilala – Vannes
- Joeli Baleilevuka – Nadroga
- Wame Naituvi – Racing
- Apete Narogo – Toulon
- Sireli Masiwini – Provence Rugby
- Jope Naseara – Dax
- Alipate Waidilo – Naitasiri
- Mosese Naura – Nadi
- Peniasi Dakuwaqa – Stade Français
- Semi Lagivala – La Rochelle
- Kaminieli Rasaku – Angoulême
- Avakuki Niusalelekitoga – Angoulême
- Josaia Ralulu – Racing Espoir
- Rupeni Junior Caucaunibuca – Montpellier
- Setareki Tuicuvu – Toulon
Coaching and Management
- Arnaud Dubois – General Manager
- Patrice Lagisquet – Head Coach/Rugby Director
- Wame Lewaravu – Player Welfare
- Senirusi Seruvakula – Technical Coach
- Cohen Politini – Coaching Professional Development Attachment
- Chico Fernandes – Scrum Coach
- Sunia Koto – Forwards Coach
- Kele Leawere – Coaching Professional Development Attachment
- Daniele Baleinadogo – Backs Coach
- Noa Naikataci – Attack Coach
- John Callard – Kicking Coach
- Olivier Rieg – Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Diego Carradona – Physiotherapist
- Mathieu Marcellin – Performance Analyst
- Sefanaia Vulakoro – Manager
- Sefo Taofifenua – Logistics/Operations