Ex-NRL star headlines Fiji's strong World Cup squad

9 months ago 77

Former Wallabies adjunct manager Simon Raiwalui has unveiled a unsafe Fiji squad headlined by Semi Radradra for the Rugby World Cup successful France.

Ex-NRL prima Radradra was 1 of the champion players astatine the 2019 World Cup and helium has adjacent much prime astir him 4 years on.

Fiji's improving extent meant Raiwalui could not find country for good performed backs Seta Tamanivalu, Ben Volavola and Vilimoni Botitu among his radical of 33 that volition conscionable Australia, Wales, Georgia and Portugal successful Pool C.

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Australia and Wales are the favourites to advancement to the quarter-finals but Fiji are a monolithic menace who person improved to 10th successful the satellite rankings aft caller blistery form.

Australia and Wales are ranked eighth and ninth respectively portion Fiji are caller from winning the Pacific Nations Cup, crushing Japan 35-12 successful Tokyo past weekend.

Waisea Nayacalevu volition skipper Fiji, who volition play France and England successful warmup games this month.

Semi Radradra of Fiji is tackled by Wallabies players successful 2019. (Getty)

Jone Koroiduadua is the lone uncapped subordinate named successful the squad.

"We've had an astonishing build-up," Raiwalui said.

"We got to effort antithetic combinations against Tonga, Samoa and Japan and were capable to travel distant with victories.

Australia manager Michael Cheika with forwards manager Simon Raiwalui. (Sportsfile via Getty Images)

"We person been bully successful patches and played well. Our fittingness has travel a agelong way, but we inactive haven't enactment a crippled unneurotic for the afloat 80 minutes.

"Now we person immense challenges against France and England. We've taken it 1 situation astatine a time, truthful adjacent up is simply a very, precise bully French team."

Raiwalui was the Wallabies forwards manager nether Michael Cheika astatine the 2019 World Cup.

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Queensland Reds prop Peni Ravai was named to play astatine his 3rd World Cup.

"We person had a bully travel for the past 5 weeks, starting from Taveuni. I couldn't beryllium much arrogant of the players and the input they had successful each our 3 Test matches," Raiwalui said.

Eddie Jones volition sanction the Wallabies squad for the World Cup connected Thursday night, with unrecorded sum and investigation exclusively connected Stan Sport.

FIJI SQUAD FOR RUGBY WORLD CUP

Forwards: Eroni Mawi, Peni Ravai, Jone Koroiduadua, Mesake Doge, Luke Tagi, Samu Tawake, Tevita Ikanivere, Sam Matavesi, Zuriel Togiatama, Isoa Nasilasila, Temo Mayanavanua, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Albert Tuisue, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Levani Botia, Vilive Miramira, Meli Derenalagi, Viliame Mata.

Backs: Frank Lomani, Simi Kuruvoli, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz, Teti Tela, Josua Tuisova, Semi Radradra, Waisea Nayacalevu, Iosefo Masi, Selesitino Ravutaumada, Vinaya Habosi, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Sireli Maqala, Ilaisa Droasese.

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