The two teams join Australia, Georgia and Uruguay in Pool D next month and are due to meet on 9 October at the Oita Stadium. Head coach John McKee’s side kick-off with a huge clash against Australia in Sapporo on 21 September.
The Brive back row man Dominiko Waqaniburotu has been selected as captain and he will be one of five players heading to their third World Cup. The others are full back Kini Murimurivalu, centre Vereniki Goneva, prop Campese Ma’afu and lock Leone Nakarawa.
Goneva, Ma’afu, who played briefly for Cardiff Blues and was sent-off against Wales in Cardiff in 2014, and Nakarawa are all all survivors from the 66-0 defeat to Wales in Hamilton at the 2011 World Cup, and they also all played in the 23-13 reverse in Cardiff four years ago.
The other players returning from that clash in 2015 are Levani Botia, Ben Volavola, Manasa Saulo, Tevita Cavubati, Waqaniburotukula, Lee-Roy Atalifo, Henry Seniloli, Josh Matavesi and Murimurivalu. Former Ospreys centre Matavesi is joined in the squad by his younger brother, Sam.
“I believe this squad has the potential to challenge for a place in the Play-Offs from Pool D and with selection made the players can now focus completely on their preparation for RWC and being the best player they can be for the Team and for Fiji.”
“This is an exciting time for these men and they must not let this opportunity to do something special for Fiji slip by. They must not merely wish for something special to happen, they must put in the hard work and commitment to make it happen.”
The make-up of McKee’s side shows there are 13 players from clubs in the TOP 14 competition in France, eight from English Premiership teams, two from Guinness PRO14 outfits and one from Super Rugby. There are also two players from the English Championship.
The squad are currently in a 10 day training camp ahead of their final World Cup warm-up match against Tonga at Auckland’s Eden Park on 31 August.
Fijian World Cup Squad
Full Back: Kini Murimurivalu (La Rochelle)
Utility Backs: Josh Matavesi (Newcastle Falcons), Alivereti Veitokani (London Irish)
Outside Backs: Vereniki Goneva (Newcastle Falcons), Filipo Nakosi (Toulon), Waisea Nayacelevu (Stade Francais), Semi Radradra (Bordeaux-Begles), Josua Tuisova (Toulon)
Inside Backs: Levani Botia (La Rochelle), Jale Vatubua (Agen), Ben Volavola (Racing 92)
Half-backs: Frank Lomani (Fijian Latui), Nikola Matawalu (Glasgow Warriors), Henri Senioli (Doncaster Knights)
Loose-Head Props: Campese Ma’afu (Leicester Tigers), Eroni Mawi (Fijian Drua), Peni Ravai (Bordeaux-Begles)
Hooker: Mesulame Dolokoto (Fijian Latui), Sam Matavesi (Cornish Pirates), Tuvere Vugakoto (Fijian Drua)
Tight-Head Prop: Lee-Roy Atalifo (Jersey Reds), Manasa Saulo (London Irish), Kalivati Tawake (Waratahs)
Locks: Tevita Cavubati (Newcastle Falcons), Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92), Api Ratuniyarawa (Northampton Saints), Tevita Ratuva (Bordeaux-Begles),
Loose Forwards: Semi Kunatani (Harlequins), Viliame Mata (Edinburgh), Mosese Voka (Fijian Latui), Dominiko Waqaniburotu (Brive, captain), Peceli Yato (Clermont)
