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Home Sweet Home For Fiji Five

Home Sweet Home For Fiji Five

The power and pace of Fiji hit the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, but five members of the touring party will feel right at home.

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Fiji are captained by ex Swansea hooker Greg Smith, who wins his 41st cap. Smith now plays his club rugby in New Zealand for Waikato.

Former Pontypridd star Nicky Little- who now plays for Zurich Premiership side Saracens, will start at outside half. Little has 479 points from 43 appearances.

And Newport captain Simon Raiwalui, Neath backrower Alfie Mocelutu and Narberth lock Emori Katalau are no strangers to Welsh rugby fans and will give the South Sea Island team some invaluable inside information on the home team.
Raiwalui, in particular, has some fond memories of the Stadium, having won the Principality Cup with Newport there two seasons ago.

“Simon Raiwalui is captain of a team in Wales,” said Fiji team manager Joe Browne.

“And our skipper Greg Smith has been playing high level rugby for a long time.

“These guys have been exposed to a high level of rugby and these are the guys we need to be able to help others perform at a higher level.”

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Fijian selectors have trawled the world for the best players, with the likes of Norman Ligairi (Southland, New Zealand), Fero Lasagavibau (Northland, New Zealand), Waisale Serevi (Mont-de-Marsan, France), Joseph Narruhn (Hino, Japan) and Jioji Soqoiwasa (Perth, Australia) in the squad.

Meanwhile, Fiji have lost their battle with London club NEC Harlequins, who have refused to release brilliant centre Viliame Satala for the Wales Test.

Harlequins quoted IRB regulation 3.2 that states :”A Union must notify a Player and his Club or Rugby Body in writing at least 14 days before the date he must join the National Representative Team or attend a National Squad session for which the player is required by that Union.”

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