Rugby World Cup: Eighteen Drua players named in strong Flying Fijians squad

Botia, Toulon outside back and captain Waisea Nayacalevu and Queensland Reds prop have been selected for a third World Cup while Drua frontrower Jone Koroiduadua is the only uncapped player.

The major surprises of the 33-man squad, announced on Tuesday by head coach Simon Raiwalui, were the omissions of ex-All Blacks and Crusaders centre Seta Tamanivalu and Racing 92 flyhalf Ben Volavola, who played at the last two World Cups.

Twenty-four players will be attending their first World Cup.

Ravai, 33, is their most-capped veteran with 39 appearances dating back to 2013.

He played for Southland in 2016 and then had six seasons in France before joining the Reds in 2023.

Nayacalevu, also 33, has 38 caps after making his debut in 2012.

Botia, 34, who can play in midfield or in the backrow, has starred in La Rochelle’s back-to-back European Champions Cup final victories while Radradra is one of the standout midfielders in the English Premiership for the Bristol Bears.

The Drua contingent includes captain Meli Derenalagi, who will be at his first World Cup, and star halfback Frank Lomani, who played in the 2019 edition in Japan.

Fiji will go to France with some good form behind them.

“We have had a good journey for the last five weeks starting from [a training camp in] Tavenui,” Raiwalui said.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the players and the input they had in all our three test matches against Tonga, Samoa and Japan.”

Fiji scored 104 points in winning their three warm-up games, against Tonga (36-20), Samoa (33-19) and Japan (35-12).

But Raiwalui, who took over as head coach after New Zealander Vern Cotter quit last February, is under no illusions about the main goal.

“We are very proud to get the three wins, but we understand what the main focus is,’’ he told Fiji Live.

The Flying Fijians have two more warmup games against France and England before competing in one of the World Cup’s toughest pools.

They kick off their campaign against Wales on September 11, then face Australia seven days later before matches against Georgia on October 1 and Portugal on October 9.

Fiji’s 2023 Rugby World Cup squad is

Props

Eroni Mawi (27, Saracens, 23).

Peni Ravai (33, Queensland Reds, 39).

Jone Koroiduadua (24, Fijian Drua, 0).

Mesake Doge (30, Fijian Drua, 9).

Luke Tagi (26, Provence Rugby, 7).

Samu Tawake (26, Fijian Drua, 2).

Hookers

Tevita Ikanivere (23, Fijian Drua, 7).

Sam Matavesi (31, Northampton Saints, 24).

Zuriel Togiatama (24, Fijian Drua, 2).

Locks

Isoa Nasilasila (23, Fijian Drua, 5).

Temo Mayanavanua (25, Northampton Saints, 9).

Lock/Backrow

Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta (25, Fijian Drua, 3).

Albert Tuisue (30, Gloucester Rugby, 17).

Lekima Tagitagivalu (27, Section Paloise Bearn Pyrenees, 2).

Backrow

Levani Botia (34, La Rochelle, 23).

Vilive Miramira (24, Fijian Drua, 1).

Meli Derenalagi (24, Fijian Drua, 2).

Viliame Mata (31, Edinburgh, 24).

Halfback

Frank Lomani (27, Fijian Drua, 24).

Peni Matawalu (26, Fijian Drua, 5).

Halfback/Flyhalf

Simione Kuruvoli (24, Fijian Drua, 5).

Flyhalf

Caleb Muntz (23, Fijian Drua, 2).

Flyhalf/Centre

Teti Tela (32, Fijian Drua, 5).

Inside/Wing

Josua Tuisova (29, Racing 92, 19).

Inside/Outside/Wing

Semi Radradra (31, Bristol Bears, 13).

Outside/Wing

Waisea Nayacalevu (33, Toulon, 38).

Iosefo Masi (25, Fijian Drua, 1).

Wing/Fullback

Selesitino Ravutaumada (23, Fijian Drua, 4).

Wing

Vinaya Habosi (23, Racing 92, 4).

Jiuta Wainiqolo (24, Toulon, 6).

Wing/Inside/Outside

Kalaveti Ravouvou (25, Fijian Drua, 4)

Fullback/Outside

Sireli Maqala (23, Bayonne, 3)

Ilaisa Droasese (23, Fijian Drua, 2).