Former dual international Lote Tuqiri will represent Fiji for the first time since 2000 in next Saturday’s Pacific Test against Samoa at Penrith.
The 35-year-old South Sydney winger was born in Fiji but played for Australia in both rugby union and league.
Tuqiri was named in Rick Stone’s 19-man squad on Sunday for the game in which the winners will take part in the Four Nations tournament with Australia, England and New Zealand later this year.
Former New Zealand international Krisnan Inu was named in the Samoa side for the first time after playing for the Kiwis at last year’s World Cup.
Stone is yet to decide on the final make-up of his side but pleased to retain the majority of the squad that reached the World Cup semi-finals in England.
“Out of the 19 we have named, 13 played in the World Cup,” Stone said.
“We had a few unavailable, including Akuila Uate, Sisa Waqa, Apisai Koroisau and Wes Naiqama, however we have a good mix of youth and experience and I have no doubt they will do Fiji proud on Saturday night.”
Stone said the recent success of Fiji has helped grow the game in a country where rugby is still very much the No.1 sport.
“We continue to work hard to raise the profile of rugby league in Fiji and this game provides us with another chance to do that off the back of the World Cup,” Stone said.
“The NRL clubs have been great in allowing their players to take part in the Pacific Test, which plays a significant role in growing the game.”
Samoa squad: Leeson Ah Mau (St George Illawarra), Fa’amanu Brown (Cronulla), David Fa’alogo (Newcastle), Krisnan Inu (Canterbury), Ricky Leutele (Cronulla), Isaac Liu (Sydney Roosters), Dunamis Lui (Manly), Reni Maitua (Canterbury), Penani Manumaleali’i (Cronulla), Suaia Matagi (Warriors), David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers), Junior Paulo (Parramatta), Dominique Peyroux (Warriors), Jesse Sene-Lefao (Manly), Tim Simona (Wests Tigers), Michael Sio (Warriors), Kyle Stanley (St George Illawarra), Sam Tagataese (Cronulla), Daniel Vidot (Brisbane).
Fiji squad: Waqa Blake (Penrith), Peni Botiki (Cutters), Jason Bukuya (Warriors), Regan Cambell-Gillard (Penrith), Kane Evans (Sydney Roosters), Aaron Groom (Asquith), Marika Koroibete (Wests Tigers), Eto Nabuli (Penrith), Kevin Naiqama (Penrith), Taqele Naiyaravoro (Wests Tigers), Semi Radradra (Parramatta), Vitale Jr Roqica (Cronulla), Osea Sadrau (Fiji), Ashton Sims (North Queensland, capt), Korbin Sims (Newcastle), James Storer (Illawarra), Alipate Tani (Cutters), Atunaisa Turagaiviu (Fiji), Lote Tuqiri (South Sydney).
Cadfael
Roar Guru
International rugby league is a joke. We've had a number of New Zealanders foregoing their right to play for the Kiwis so they can play State of Origin.` Milford has announced he will not play for Samoa so he can play SOO, as well Ricky was pushing for him to pull out of the Samoa test anyway. Krisnan Inu, a Kiwi test player, will play for Samoa. Hayne played for Fiji, now NSW and Australia. The whole situation is a dog's breakfast. It doesn't really worry the RLIF, being located in Sydney, they aren't going to rock the boat. As Josh said, once you play for a country that's it. How strong would some of our Pacific Island teams be if this was the case.
Josh
Guest
International footy is a farce chopping and changing countries like changing their underwear. Should be more like soccer! You pick the country you play for and that's it!