Interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula has named a 32-man Flying Fijians squad for the inaugural Nations Championship, blending experienced campaigners with emerging talent as Fiji prepare for a demanding July schedule against Wales, England and Scotland.

Key squad news:

• Japan-based captain Tevita Ikanivere leads the squad, with Temo Mayanavanua and Frank Lomani as vice-captains
• Semi Radradra and Josua Tuisova both selected in a formidable midfield alongside Filimoni Botitu and Selestino Ravutaumada
• Levani Botia and Radradra both in line for long-awaited returns to Test rugby after extended absences
• Ten Fijian Drua players included, with halfback Simione Kuruvoli and fly-half Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula among them
• Veterans Levani Botia, Peceli Yato, Sam Matavesi and Tevita Ratuva all earn selection despite questions over age and playing level
• Former England number eight Nathan Hughes and ex-France international Virimi Vakatawa both miss final cut from the initial 50-man squad
• Squad assembles in Cardiff on 25 June ahead of the opening fixture against Wales on 4 July

Seruvakula, the former Fiji Warriors, Fijian Drua and Fijiana coach, has selected a squad heavy with proven international quality. The midfield is the headline department, where the powerful Josua Tuisova and the electric Semi Radradra are reunited alongside Filimoni Botitu and the versatile Selestino Ravutaumada. Radradra, now 33 and based in Japan, hasn’t featured for Fiji since the 24–19 victory over Wales in November 2024 but remains one of the most destructive ball carriers in world rugby, while Tuisova’s combination of raw power and offloading ability gives Fiji a genuinely fearsome centre pairing.

Fiji Rugby has officially announced the final 32-member squad for the FIJI Water Flying Fijians ahead of their highly anticipated Nations Championship campaign.
Acting Head Coach Senirusi Seruvakula has carefully selected a balanced squad blending proven experience with in-form… pic.twitter.com/1jniwyhxAF

— Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugby) June 1, 2026

The outside backs are similarly well stocked. Jiuta Wainiqolo, Kalaveti Ravouvou and Vinaya Habosi provide pace and finishing ability on the wings, with former Hurricanes back Salesi Rayasi and Vuate Karawalevu offering specialist fullback options. The depth and variety across the back three gives Seruvakula considerable flexibility in how he constructs his matchday squads across the three fixtures.

At half-back, vice-captain Frank Lomani brings international experience alongside the exciting Drua pairing of Simione Kuruvoli and Sam Wye. The fly-half position will be contested between Caleb Muntz, who has been Fiji’s first-choice ten in recent campaigns, and the young Drua playmaker Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, whose development this Super Rugby Pacific season has been one of the competition’s stories.

The pack is built around a blend of seasoned forwards and Drua graduates. Captain Ikanivere, who now plays his club rugby in Japan alongside Radradra, leads the hooking department alongside Sam Matavesi and uncapped Zuriel Togiatama. Matavesi’s selection is an eye-catching one: the veteran hooker has been playing fourth-tier rugby in England with Cornish club Camborne this season, yet Seruvakula has backed his international experience. The prop stocks feature Eroni Mawi, the powerful Peni Ravai, Atunaisa Sokobale, Luke Tagi and Tim Hoyt, while the second row combines the athleticism of Isoa Nasilasila and Mesake Vocevoce with the leadership of vice-captain Mayanavanua and the veteran Tevita Ratuva.

The loose forward contingent is arguably the squad’s greatest strength. Peceli Yato, still performing at the highest level in France, is joined by the combative Levani Botia, the dynamic Pita-Gus Sowakula, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Kitione Salawa and Elia Canakaivata. Botia’s inclusion is particularly notable: the La Rochelle back row, now 37, hasn’t featured for Fiji since the 30–24 quarter-final loss to England at the 2023 World Cup, but Seruvakula was robust in defending the selection of his experienced forwards, insisting that performance rather than age dictated the final 32.

“The number one focus for selecting the team is performance and how they have been performing over the weekends,” the interim head coach said. “They are veteran players, but they meet the criteria. They still play top-level rugby, they are getting big minutes and they are injury free. They also fit the coaching philosophy that we want to implement.”

Seruvakula confirmed that the coaching staff, which includes former Moana Pasifika head coach Aaron Mauger, have been closely monitoring players across Europe and the Pacific throughout the season. “We monitor all our players. We have our strength and conditioning staff in Europe who provide feedback every week. We also involve our medical department to monitor injuries and player loads before selections are made.”

The most notable omissions are Nathan Hughes, the former England number eight, and ex-France international Virimi Vakatawa, both of whom had been included in the initial 50-man squad but have not survived the cut to the final 32. Several players are believed to be unavailable due to other commitments, with Moana Pasifika prop Feleti Taufo’ou and number eight Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa reportedly held back because of New Zealand Rugby’s interest in them. Moana Pasifika are also without captain Ben Tameifuna, who is injured, and experienced backs Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau.

On his squad and the challenge ahead, Seruvakula struck a confident tone. “I have chosen a team of players that have experience and are playing some of the best rugby in their current clubs. This is a tough campaign, but I am confident this group has the talent, the heart, and the discipline to represent Fiji with pride.”

The Nations Championship represents a significant step for Fijian rugby, placing them in direct competition with Tier 1 nations across a structured competition for the first time. Seruvakula acknowledged the scale of the opportunity. “It’s a Tier 1 competition to go into, so I’m really excited to fly on the 24th and meet the players and start our campaign.”

The squad assembles in Cardiff on 25 June, with local-based players and management departing Fiji on 24 June. The July window sees Fiji face Wales at Cardiff City Stadium on 4 July, England at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool on 11 July, and Scotland at Murrayfield on 18 July. The campaign then continues in November with fixtures against France, Ireland and Italy before a classification match during the finals weekend in London from 28 to 30 November.

Flying Fijians squad (32)

Hookers: Tevita Ikanivere (captain), Sam Matavesi, Zuriel Togiatama.

Props: Eroni Mawi, Atunaisa Sokobale, Peni Ravai, Luke Tagi, Tim Hoyt.

Locks: Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Vocevoce, Temo Mayanavanua (vice-captain), Tevita Ratuva.

Loose forwards: Lekima Tagitagivalu, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Levani Botia, Pita-Gus Sowakula, Peceli Yato.

Half-backs: Frank Lomani (vice-captain), Simione Kuruvoli, Sam Wye.

Fly-halves: Caleb Muntz, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula.

Midfield: Josua Tuisova, Filimoni Botitu, Selestino Ravutaumada, Semi Radradra.

Outside backs: Jiuta Wainiqolo, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Vinaya Habosi, Salesi Rayasi, Vuate Karawalevu.

Nations Championship fixtures (July window)
Saturday 4 July: Fiji v Wales, Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
Saturday 11 July: Fiji v England, Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool
Saturday 18 July: Fiji v Scotland, Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh