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“Flying Fijians Eye Strategic Additions Ahead of All Blacks Showdown”
The Flying Fijians are set to face the All Blacks at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego next month and will need more firepower.
The Flying Fijians performed exceptionally well against the Barbarians last week, managing to tie at halftime before ultimately losing 45-32.
Despite their grit and potential, the team, essentially composed of the Fijian Drua plus Vilimoni Botitu, will face a daunting challenge against one of the world’s best rugby teams.
While Fiji’s achievement of beating the Wallabies last year is notable, they are now up against a national team that consistently defeats the Wallabies with ease. New Zealand-based Super Rugby teams have also regularly defeated the Drua outside of Fiji.
Former Flying Fijians coach Simon Raiwalui suggested Hoskins Sotutu join the Flying Fijians after his omission from Scott Robertson’s All Blacks squad. However, even with Sotutu, Fiji will need significantly more firepower to compete with the All Blacks, who excel in power, strength, speed, agility, and endurance.
The power of players like Peni Ravai, Sam Matavesi, Luke Tagi, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Albert Tuisue, and Kitione Salawa, combined with Caleb Muntz’s kicking prowess and the speed of Semi Radradra and Jiuta Wainiqolo, would be formidable. Yet, against the All Blacks, Fiji needs additional strength on the wing and a highly skilled fullback.
Adding a powerful back-rower like Sotutu could help, especially since Levani Botia will be unavailable for this Test match. Additionally, a strong winger to complement Semi Radradra’s speed is crucial. Wainiqolo is a strong ball runner, but if he has to leave the field, a suitable replacement is necessary.
With Selestino Ravutaumada and Iosefo Masi opting to join the Fiji 7s team for the Olympics, there is a need for another winger. Mick Byrne should consider recruiting Taqele Naiyaravoro, who has become a more powerful player in the Northern Hemisphere since leaving the Waratahs in 2018. Naiyaravoro’s strength and speed would be beneficial, as would Hurricanes fullback Salesi Rayasi, given Ilaisa Droasese’s underperformance throughout the Super Rugby season.
Rayasi, on the other hand, consistently broke through the defenses of multiple teams throughout the season before the Hurricanes were eliminated in the semi-finals. He would be a far better investment for Byrne than Droasese.
Botia isn’t the only Fijian held back by his club, as Racing 92 won’t release Josua Tuisova. The reasons for this are unknown, but if Tuisova can’t play on the wing, his brother Filipe Nakosi should be considered. Nakosi is essentially a younger version of Tuisova, posing a significant challenge for Nanai-Seturo. If Nakosi isn’t available, Kini Naholo could be a good alternative. The prop-sized winger wreaked havoc for the Hurricanes in almost every match and was compared to All Black legend Jonah Lomu earlier this year.
If Byrne needs more forwards, Seru Uru might be available.
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