The Pacific Islanders will be the penultimate opponents for Warren Gatland’s side in Pool D later this year and they have plenty of talent in their ranks.
Fiji‘s preparations for the World Cup will include fixtures against the Maori All Blacks and in the Pacific Nations Cup alongside Japan, Canada and Samoa at the end of July and in early August.
Following the conclusion of those five matches, Fiji coach John McKee will then make his final decision on the 31-man squad he will take to Japan.
McKee might be without Montpellier duo Nemani Nadolo and Timoci Nagusa who have both retired from international duty, but he certainly has a strong squad at his disposal.
Racing 92‘s Leone Nakarawa, Edinburgh‘s Viliame Mata and Harlequins‘ Semi Kunatani headline the group of forwards, whilst Bordeaux‘s Semi Radradra, La Rochelle‘s Levani Botia and Toulon duo Josua Tuisova and Filipo Nakosi stand out among the backs.
Albert Tuisue and Alivereti Veitokani, who helped London Irish’s successful bid for promotion to the Gallagher Premiership, are also included as is their club team- mate Manasa Saulo.
The Newcastle Falcons quartet of Tevita Cavubati, Nemani Nagusa, Josh Matavesi and Vereniki Goneva also make the cut.
“Certainly there are very good local players who are challenging for positions in the Rugby World Cup team,” said McKee.
“I am really looking forward to getting into camp with the players from July 1st. We know we have a lot of work to do between our assembly and travelling to Japan for our first game against Australia in the Rugby World Cup.”
Wales face Fiji in Oita on October 9 while Georgia, Australia and Uruguay complete Pool D.
Fiji’s 38-man Rugby World Cup training squad:
Front Row: Leeroy Atalifo (Jersey), Mesulame Dolokoto (Fijian Latui), Sunia Koto (AS Macon), Campese Ma’afu (Leicester Tigers), Sam Matavesi (Cornish Pirates), Eroni Mawi (Fijian Drua), Peni Ravai (Bordeaux-Begles), Manasa Saulo (London Irish), Luke Tagi (Fijian Latui), Tuapati Talemaitoga (Provence), Kalivati Tawake (Waratahs), Joeli Veitayaki (Fijian Drua), Tuvere Veremalua (Fijian Latui)
Second Row/Back Row: Tevita Cavubati (Newcastle Falcons), Johnny Dyer (Fijian Drua), Semi Kunatani (Harlequins), Mesulame Kunavalu (Edinburgh), Temo Mayanavanua (Northland), Viliame Mata (Edinburgh), Sikeli Nabou (Biarritz Olympique), Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92), Nemani Nagusa (Newcastle Falcons), Jale Railala (Brisbane City), Api Ratuniyarawa (Northampton Saints), Tevita Ratuva (Brodeaux-Begles), Albert Tuisue (London Irish), Mosese Voka (Fijian Latui), Dominiko Waqaniburotu (Brive), Peceli Yato (Clermont)
Half-backs: Frank Lomani (Fijian Latui), Nikola Matawalu (Glasgow Warriors), Peni Matawalu (Fojian Drua), Henri Senioli (Doncaster Knights), Seru Vularika (Fijian Latui)
Inside Backs: Levani Botia (La Rochelle), Sevanaia Galala (Brive), Josh Matavesi (Newcastle Falcons), Alivereti Veitokani (London Irish), Jale Vatubua (Agen), Ben Volavola (Racing 92)
Outside Backs: Vereniki Goneva (Newcastle Falcons), Benito Masilevu (Agen), Kini Murimurivalu (La Rochelle), Filipo Nakosi (Toulon), Apisai Naqalevu (Clermont), Waisea Nayacelevu (Stade Francais), Patrick Osbourne (Kubota Spears), Semi Radradra (Bordeaux-Begles), Eroni Sau (Edinburgh), Metuisela Talebula (Bordeaux-Begles), Joshua Tuisova (Toulon), Setareki Tuicuvu (Clermont)
