Flying Fijians

Dewes who scored the winning try against Wales in Nantes in 2007 never thought he’d have a coaching role for Fiji at this year’s World Cup.

His coaching journey started in 2007 with a former Flying Fijians fly-half.

The scrum coach said he looks forward to the new challenge.

“No, never my coaching journey started with a small conversation with Seremaia Bai back in 2007 when we finish, we wanted to learn how to coach so we could come back to Fiji and coach kids, the last few months have quite an exciting journey for me.”

Habosi left for France after spending two days with the team in Taveuni two weeks ago for a medical review.

However, he is still recovering from an injury and will miss the game this weekend.

This means there’re now 40 players in camp after Joseva Tamani joined the team last week.

Head coach Simon Raiwalui said all other players are available for selection for their Punjas Pacific Battle with Tonga on Saturday.

With the team set to be named on Thursday, excitement is building among supporters as the Fiji squad prepares for its first international match.

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, a former Flying Fijians himself, told the squad members and management on Taveuni on Thursday that the bonus payment will be paid to the players at the end of their World Cup campaign.

FBC Sports said that Rabuka confirmed the funds will not come from government but from "a friend of Fiji".

Rabuka, who was attending the funeral of former Fijian government minister the late Ratu Talemo Ratakele, visisted the squad at their Welagi village camp.

The Fijian star will rejoin the side in Nadi next week.

Habosi returns to France for a medical review with his French club Racing 92.

He trained with the Flying Fijians squad yesterday and also attended the church service at Somosomo village on Sunday.

The former Drua speedster had surgery this year and is going back for his review.

Head Coach Simon Raiwalui has finalized his 39-member extended squad which marches into camp in Taveuni on Saturday.

Out of the 45 players named in the wider group a fortnight ago, Raiwalui has reduced the squad to 39 after all club commitments were finished.

Prop Jone Koroiduadua, Setareki Tuicuvu, Adrea Cocagi and Mesulame Dolokoto have been dropped while Haereiti Hetet and Joseva Tamani are still recovering from injury, and will be managed from outside the group by the medical staff.

Hughes was born in Fiji, moved to New Zealand on a high school scholarship, and traveled to England where he played 22 tests.

He is now playing club rugby in Japan and last played at Number 8 for England in 2019.

Under amended rules, a player is eligible to change their allegiance after a three-year break.

Hughes, now 31, told AP he hadn't had a conversation with new Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui about a possible move, although he had some contact with Fiji when he first changed his eligibility.

He said it would mean a lot playing for his home nation.

Seruvakula, who coached the Fijiana Drua to their inaugural Super W Championship and led the Fijiana 15s to the Rugby World Cup, now has been handed the task of mentoring the Warriors, the nation's development team.

He was the coach of the Warriors which went undefeated between 2015 and 2019. Seruvakula will be assisted by former Flying Fijians and Fiji 7s rep Sireli Naqelevuki.

The duo has put together a strong 28-member squad which will travel to Samoa at the end of the month, where they will meet the equivalent sides of Tonga, Samoa and Japan.

Fiji Rugby Union announced earlier this month that New Zealand coach Scott Robertson was offered a role.

But it appears the Crusaders mentor did not take up the offer after Raiwalui's appointment was confirmed at Rugby House in Suva on Friday.

The former lock forward has been involved in the game as a player and a coach for almost three decades.

In his most recent role, he was FRU's high performance unit general manager.

The assistant has been working with the Pacific Islanders since 2020 and had been signed until the 2023 Rugby World Cup finals in France. 

However, he will now be at that tournament as an All Blacks assistant after he was recruited last weekend by New Zealand Rugby when they opted to bring in Ryan to assist Ian Foster and jettison John Plumtree and Brad Mooar. 

Numerous handling errors and general play issues contributed to Fiji’s loss – a side that was given a reality check by Australia A, who played basic structured rugby to disrupt the Fijian side who had made 11 changes.

The Aussies were a totally different side bringing the game to Fiji who were at times under pressure.

Fiji who had looked to back its big performance last week against Tonga got off to a perfect start drawing first blood through the boot of Teti Tela.