Fijian preliminary squad
View squad
Seven NRL players have been confirmed as starters
for Fiji,
who today named a large contingent of domestic players in their squad for the 2008
Rugby League World Cup.
Fiji selectors have identified 10
players as part of their 24-man team for the tournament, starting October 25,
and have named a further 51 players in their squad to trial with 17 Fiji locals for
the remaining 14 spots.
The final team is not due to be named
until October 8, but Wes Naiqama (Knights), Ashton Sims (Broncos), John Sutton
(Rabbitohs) and Daryl Millard (Bulldogs) are among the NRL players in the 10 secure
spots.
The additional 51-man squad is made up of
29 Fiji domestic players,
who have been playing in NSW and QLD country competitions for the past few
months, and 22 Fiji Australian residents playing in competitions in the UK, NZ and NSW.
Fiji, playing in their third World
Cup, have been drawn in Pool 2 with France
and Scotland; with Samoa, Tonga
and Ireland in Pool 3; and Australia, England,
NZ and Papua New Guinea
in the “Super Pool”.
Fiji will open their 2008 campaign
against France at Wollongong’s WIN Stadium on November 1 and take on Scotland just
fours days later at Gosford’s Bluetongue Stadium.
Fiji assistant coach Max Ninness said the
clash with the ever-improving French team, dominated by UK Super League
Catalans Dragons players, would be a tough tournament opener.
“We see the French game a bit like
Westerns Suburbs versus Manly … the ‘Besser Brick Brigade’ versus the Silvertails;
force meets skill.”
The 29-day 2008 RLWC tournament begins on
October 25 with England and Papua New Guinea
clashing in Townsville and ends with the already sold-out Final at Suncorp
Stadium on November 22.
2008 FIJI Rugby League World Cup Squad
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CONFIRMED OVERSEAS NRL PLAYERS
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Akuila
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UATE
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Knights, NRL
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Waisale (Wes)
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NAIQAMA
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Knights, NRL
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Jason
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BUKUYA
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Cronulla Sharks, NYC
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Ashton
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SIMS
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Broncos, NRL
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Peni
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TAGIVE
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West Tigers, NRL
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John
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SUTTON
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Rabbitohs, NRL
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Daryl
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MILLARD
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Bulldogs, NRL
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Aaron
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GROOM
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Bulldogs, NRL
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Semi
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TADULALA
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Bradford Bulls UK
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Nick
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BRADLEY QALILAWA
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Manly, NSWRL
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FIJI DOMESTIC PLAYERS IN AUSTRALIA -
IN SQUAD, TO TRIAL FOR FINAL SPOT
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Alipate
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NOILEA
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Parkes Spacemen, CRL
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Apakuki
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MATE
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Grafton Rhinos, CRL
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Asaeli
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SARAVAKI
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Darlington Point, CRL
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Epi
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NEIOKO
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Parkes , CRL
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Eroni
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DOLODAI
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Sawtell Panthers, CRL
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Iowane
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DIVAVESI
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Terrigal Sharks, CRL
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Jone
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MACILAI
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Fassifern, QRL
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Jone
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WESELE
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Darlington Point, CRL
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Semisi
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TORA
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Parkes Spacemen, CRL
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Seruvi
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RALULU
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Cowra Magpies, CRL
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Sevanaia
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KOROI
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West Magpies, NSWRL
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Sitiveni
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LOGAIVAU
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Fassifern RLFC, QRL
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Sonny
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BLAKE
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Cowra Magpies, CRL
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Tomu
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JANI KOROI
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West Magpies, CRL
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Viliame
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DOMO
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Cowra Magpies, CRL
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Vula
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NAQAU
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Terrigal Sharks, CRL
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Waisea
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CAKAU
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Terrigal Sharks, CRL
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Waisale
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SUKA
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Terrigal Sharks, CRL
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Ilisoni
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MATEIRATU
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Parkes Spacemen, CRL
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Josateki
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RAVUETA
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Sawtell Panthers, CRL
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Josua
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KOROIBULU
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Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs, CRL
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Kaliova
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NAUQE TANI
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Fassifern RLFC, QRL
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Malakai
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TUILOA
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Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs, CRL
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Neori
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BULI
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Fassifern RLFC, QRL
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Neori
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KURUMALAWAI
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Grafton Rhinos, CRL
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Osea
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SADRAU
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Fassifern RLFC, QRL
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Rulade
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VUETIVAVALAGI
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Darlington Point, CRL
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Amenasi
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ADITAGANE
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Cowra Magpies
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Josateki
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SOVAU
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Fassifern RLFC QLD
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FIJI AUSTRALIA RESIDENTS - IN SQUAD,
TO TRIAL FOR FINAL SPOT
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Keni
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LUKE
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Goulbourn Workers, CRL
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Kevin
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NAIQAMA
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Newcastle Knights, NSWRL
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Meli
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CANAVEIWEKANI
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Auckland Warriors, NZRL
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James
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STORER
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Cronulla Cobras, NSWRL
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Eparama
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NAVALE
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Dubbo Cyms, CRL
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Netani
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SUKA
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Gateshead Thunders UK
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Hanry
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RAIWALUI
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Dragons, NYC
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Ilisoni
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VUADREU
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Yenda, CRL
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Sam
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WARA
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North Sydney Bears, NSWRL
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Samuela
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LOALOADRAVU
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Yenda, CRL
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Jason
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GANGARAM
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Cambeltown Eagles, NSWRL
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John
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KENNEDY
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St George Dragons, NYC
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Seru
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ROGO
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Yenda, CRL
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Stanley
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WAQA
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Roosters, NYC
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Tabua
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CAKACAKA
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Gateshead Thunders UK
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Tevita
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SERU RAULUNI JNR
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Yenda, CRL
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Tomasi
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CAQUSAU
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Yenda, CRL
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Peceli
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SUASUA WAWAVANUA
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Narraweena Hawks, Manly Junior League
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Kiniviliame
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TANAUCUCAVU
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Dubbo Cyms, CRL
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Akuila
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TAVOU VETENIQUA
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Manurewa Marlins, NZRL
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Puna
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RASAUBALE
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London Skolars UK
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Namila
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DAVUI
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London Skolars UK
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Coach: Joe Dakuitoga