Fiji coach Inoke Male faces a nightmare to ensure he can field a competitive team against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Saturday.
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The Fijians, with two wins for three starts in their year-end Tests, have lost the services of Napolioni Nalaga, Timoci Nagusa, Wame Lewaravu, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Sisa Koyamaibole, Malakai Bakaniceva and Nemani Nadolo – who have not been released for a match that falls outside of the IRB’s November international window.
Nemani Nadolo, Napolioni Nalaga, Wame Lewaravu and Malakai Bakaniceva featured in the matchday squad that recorded a 26-7 win over Romania last week.
Timoci Nagusa, Nemani Nadolo, Napolioni Nalaga, Wame Lewaravu and Sisa Koyamaibole was part of the team that lost 31-37 to Italy the week before.
Timoci Nagusa, Napolioni Nalaga, Nemani Nadolo Nasiganiyavi, Sisa Koyamaibole, Wame Lewaravu and Dominiko Waqaniburotukula played in the 36-13 win over Portugal – Fiji’s opening match of their year-end campaign.
“We hope to rope in Netani Talei, Nikola Matawalu, Leone Nakarawa, Henry Speight, Maitoga, Koroiyadi and Apolosi to fill the gap and have our fingers crossed,” team manager Joseph Browne said.
He added that they were also eyeing Henry’s older brother Sam Speight and Leone Nakarawa to bolster Fiji’s campaign against the Steve Hansen-coached Barbarians.