White names his first Fiji group
Jake White has announced his first squad as Fiji coach, and it comes with a twist. The South African, recently appointed, picked his group for the second half of the Nations Championship, starting with a Test against France in Lyon on 7 November.
The headline name is Nathan Hughes. The Racing 92 back-rower is 35, won 22 caps for England between 2016 and 2019, and has struggled for form at his club this season. White still wants him around a year before the World Cup in Australia, which runs from 1 October to 13 November next year. If Hughes makes it there, it will be a long road back to a major tournament.
The rest of the list leans on Top 14 form. Jiuta Wainiqolo, the Lyon winger who has lit up the league every week, is the obvious threat, and nobody expects France to ignore him.
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A strong French-league core
Josua Tuisova of Racing and Sireli Maqala of Bayonne are in as well. Bordeaux’s Salesi Rayasi, Perpignan’s Peceli Yato and Vannes scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli complete a group with plenty of club miles in France.
That matters for the opener. Several of these players know Top 14 defences well, and Wainiqolo plays his club rugby in Lyon itself. France are already short of around 20 players this month, so a Fiji side with this much attacking quality is no gentle start for the hosts.
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