The Flying Fijians and the Brave Blossoms of Japan are the two invitational teams that have been invited to play alongside the four SANZAAR Member Unions (Argentina, Australia, New Zealand & South Africa) to represent the Southern Hemisphere.
These six teams will take on the Six Nations teams from the north in a battle for hemipshere rugby supremacy across July and November.
The Flying Fijians have assembled a formidable matchday 23 to face Wales in their opening fixture of the Nations Championship at Cardiff City Stadium this Saturday, July 4th.
Acting head coach Senirusi Seruvakula has named a team blending power and pace, with a notable return for loose forward Peceli Yato and a start for young tighthead prop Tim Hoyt.
The selection signals a clear intent against a Welsh side that recently faced the Barbarians at Twickenham. Seruvakula stressed that every player selected has earned their place based on outstanding club form.
He specifically highlighted the inclusion of Hoyt, who gets his opportunity following the unavailability of Luke Tagi. “Hoyt has been showing good times with his numbers during his game time in France provided him with that opportunity,” Seruvakula shared.
The starting XV features a dynamic backline with Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula at flyhalf, partnering Frank Lomani in the halves. The midfield sees the powerful combination of Josua Tuisova and the returning Semi Radradra, who is set for his first test outing in over 18 months. Speedsters Jiuta Wainiqolo and Selestino Ravutaumada provide the edge out wide, with Salesi Rayasi at fullback.
Captain Tevita Ikanivere leads the pack from hooker, packing down with Eroni Mawi and Tim Hoyt in the front row, while the second-row features Isoa Nasilasila and Temo Mayanavanua. A potent back row of Pita-Gus Sowakula, Kitione Salawa Jnr, and Elia Canakaivata completes the starting eight.
The bench offers immense firepower, highlighted by the return of Peceli Yato alongside experienced prop Peni Ravai and playmaker Vilimoni Botitu. Seruvakula noted the squad’s composition—a well-balanced mix of players from the Northern and Southern hemispheres—made selection a tough task, but he is confident they have the right group to make an immediate impact in the championship.
Fiji has a tough assignment particularly with a test match being played in the dragon’s lair but the Flying Fijians have the fire power to put that to rest this Saturday in Cardiff.
Fiji Team to Play Wales:
1.Eroni Mawi
2.Tevita Ikanivere (Captain)
3.Tim Hoyt
4.Isoa Nasilasila
5.Temo Mayanavanua
6.Pita Gus Sowakula
7.Kitione Salawa
8.Elia Canakaivata
9.Frank Lomani
10.Isaiah Armstrong Ravula
11.Jiuta Wainiqolo
12.Josua Tuisova
13.Semi Radradra
14.Selestino Ravutaumada
15.Salesi Rayasi
Replacements:
16.Zuriel Togiatama
17.Livai Natave
18.Peni Ravai
19.Mesake Vocevoce
20.Peceli Yato
21.Simione Kuruvoli
22.Vilimoni Botitu
23.Kalaveti Ravouvou
Meanwhile Japan face Italy on Sat 4th July at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo.
Italy won the last encounter but Italy are in the best form of their last 5 games.
Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by just 2 places in the rankings with Italy in position 10 and Japan in position 12, underlining just how tight this match could be.
Japan Team to Play Italy:
15 Takuro Matsunaga
14 Kazuma Ueda
13 Dylan Riley
12 Yuya Hirose
11 Kippei Ishida
10 Ryunosuke Ito
9 Naoto Saito
8 Jack Cornelsen
7 Kanji Shimokawa
6 Ben Gunter
5 Warner Dearns (captain)
4 Harry Hockings
3 Shuhei Takeuchi
2 Mamoru Harada
1 Takato Okabe
Replacements:
16 Hayate Era
17 Sojiro Otsuka
18 Keijiro Tamefusa
19 Michael Stolberg
20 Michael Leitch
21 Tiennan Costley
22 Itsuki Kamimura
23 Sam Greene