Flying Fijians ready to fire against Barbarians
An exciting mix of youth and experience will take the field for the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians against the infamous Barbarians at Twickenham this Saturday.
96 test caps including five Rugby World Cup representatives, ten debutants and a World Sevens Series winner make up the dynamic team of warriors ready to pull on the White Jersey in front of a 50,000+ audience.
Fresh from Japan, young loose head prop Eroni Mawi will spearhead the front row alongside fellow RWC team mate Veremaula Vugakoto and Samuela Tawake.
Counties Manukau based Sikeli Nabou returns to the Flying Fijians teaming up with Northland’s Temo Mayanavanua in at locks.
Plenty of explosive power in the forward pack sees established Fijian Drua backrow combination of Mosese Voka (6), rampaging John Dyer (7) and Eremasi Radrodro (8) ready to take on Samu, Van Staden and Strauss of the Barbarians.
Scrum half Frank Lomani will Captain the side teaming up with Australian based Teti Tela at 10 and the elusive Fijian Drua utility Enele Malele at fullback.
2015 Rugby World Cup centre Asaeli Tikoirotuma will pair up with gutsy utility Serupepeli Vularika in the midfield providing plenty of courage and strength in the Flying Fijians backline.
Exciting speedster Jiuta Wainiqolo will make his debut for Fiji on the right wing, with the hard running Canterbury based Patrick Osborne on the left.
McKee said the team will be intent on getting the basics right before opening up to deliver some free flowing Fijian style rugby.
“This game gives us great opportunity to expose some younger Fijian players, who can play for Fiji towards RWC 2023, to the big game atmosphere playing the Barbarians.” he said.
“It’s a great opportunity for the players to express themselves and make their mark for Fiji on the world stage.”
Fiji Airways Flying Fijians team to face Barbarians FC
Saturday 16th November, 2019 – 2.30pm kick off, Twickenham Stadium.
- Eroni Mawi (Fijian Drua – 12 caps)
- Ratu Veremalua Vugakoto (Fijian Drua – 9 caps)
- Samuela Tawake (Manuwatu – Debut)
- Temo Mayanavanua (Northland – debut)
- Sikeli Nabou (Counties Manukau – 6 caps)
- Mosese Voka (Fijian Drua – 9 caps)
- John Dyer (Fijian Drua – 1 cap)
- Eremasi Radrodro (Fijian Drua – 4 caps)
- Frank Lomani (Melbourne Rebels – 14 caps)
- Teti Tela (Queensland Reds – debut)
- Patrick Osborne (Canterbury – 9 caps)
- Serupepeli Vularika (Fijian Drua – 10 caps)
- Asaeli Tikoirotuma (North Harbour – 23 caps)
- Jiuta Wainiqolo (Fijian Drua – debut)
- Enele Malele (Fijian Drua – debut)
Reserves - Tevita Ikanivere (Fijian Drua – debut)
- Joeli Veitayaki (Fijian Drua – 6 caps)
- Mosese Ducivaki (Fijian Drua – 3 caps)
- Tevita Naqali (Fijian Drua – debut)
- Mesulame Kunavula (Edinburgh – debut)
- Peni Matawalu (Fijian Drua – debut)
- Caleb Muntz (Fijian Drua – debut)
- Cyril Reece (Fijian Drua – debut)
Tickets still available from just $20 GBP at https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/barbarians