Latest news with #FilipeRayasi
RNZ News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Salesi Rayasi debuts for Fiji at fullback against the Wallabies
Former New Zealand sevens rep Salesi Rayasi trains with the Flying Fijians in Sydney this week, ahead of Sunday's Test against the Wallabies. He has been named to debut for the Fijians at fullback. Photo: Supplied / Fiji Rugby Union Former New Zealand sevens rep Salesi Rayasi has achieved what his dad did 30-odd years ago, after he was named in the Flying Fijians Test team to meet the Wallabies in Sydney on Sunday afternoon. Not only has the player made it into the Fijian national side , he was also named at fullback, the position his dad Filipe excelled in for the Pacific islanders. Filipe played for Fiji between 1994-1997. The younger Rayasi was named by head coach Mick Byrne as the lone debutant in the starting lineup. Having played for the Blues and the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby Pacific competition, Salesi joined Vannes in the French Top 14, signalling his interest to leave New Zealand for Fiji. Byrne included him in the squad last month. He said Rayasi and some others who have joined the squad had brought a lot of experience and different assets to the team. The Flying Fijians training in Sydney this week ahead of Sunday's clash against the Wallabies. Photo: Supplied / Fiji Rugby Union Rayasi is the sole debutant in the run-on side, while Philip Baselala is in line to debut off the bench in the No. 21 jersey. Baselala is a former Fiji U20 halfback who played five matches for the Fijian Drua in 2025, starting against the Western Force and Queensland Reds. "It's exciting times for us," coach Mick Byrne told reporters. "All our players have come down from the north, who have gelled well together as a team and it's an exciting opportunity for us to get in against Australia in Australia, especially in a Lions year when there's a lot of excitement around. "You can see in a couple of Super Rugby games that the Lions have played that the crowd are coming out so we're really looking forward to a big crowd here on Sunday. "We're looking forward to showing everyone the growth we've had in this team over the last 12 months and moving on from the Rugby World Cup in 2023, the growth we've had in this team." Rayasi joins some of the best French Top 14 performers in winger Jiuta Wainiqolo, centre Josdua Tuisova and European Cup challenger Kalaveti Ravouvou. Tevita Ikanivere captains the side from hooker, joined by Eroni Mawi and Peni Ravai in the front row. Crack centre Josua Tuisova (facing camera) trains with the Flying Fijians in Sydney this week. He will play against the Wallabies on Sunday in Sydney. Photo: Supplied / Fiji Rugby Union The Wallabies have named one Fijian-heritage player in their starting lineup and one on the bench. Lani Gleeson gets a run upfront with the forward pack while Filipo Daugunu is expected to feature in the second spell. Hooker Dave Porecki makes a return to the team after he led the side at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where the team were beaten by Fiji in pool play. Head coach Joe Scmidt has named Harry Wilson as captain this time around. Porecki is one of nine players backing up from the last clash between the two nations during the 2023 tournament in France, where Fiji posted their first victory over the Wallabies in 69 years, winning 22-15. Schmidt said they were excited about the clash. "The whole squad has worked hard on and off the field and reconnected well with a short runway from our assembly through to the Test on Sunday against Fiji," Schmidt said in a statement. "I think the players and the wider management are keen to get underway, especially in front of a big crowd here in Newcastle, as we kick off an exciting but incredibly demanding 2025 Test match schedule." Porecki will anchor an experienced front row of James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa, while Jeremy Williams and Nick Frost are the locks after five appearances in 2024. Gleeson will start at blindside flanker, with Fraser McReight on the other side of the scrum. This Test in Newcastle between Fiji and Australia will get underway at 1:30pm local time, or 3:30pm Fiji and New Zealand time on Sunday afternoon. The Flying Fijians match-day 23: 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Tevita Ikanivere (c), 3. Peni Ravai, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Temo Mayanavanua, 6. Lekima Tagitagivalu, 7. Elia Canakaivata, 8. Viliame Mata, 9. Simione Kuruvoli, 10. Caleb Muntz, 11. Jiuta Wainiqolo, 12. Josua Tuisova, 13. Iosefo Balewairiki Masi,14. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 15. Salesi Rayasi; Bench - 16. Sam Matavesi, 17. Haereiti Hetet, 18. Mesake Doge, 19. Mesake Vocevoce, 20. Albert Tuisue, 21. Philip Baselala, 22. Isaiah Armstrong Ravula, 23. Sireli Maqala. The Wallabies match-day 23: 1. James Slipper, 2. David Porecki, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Nick Frost, 5. Jeremy Williams, 6. Langi Gleeson, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson (c), 9. Tate McDermott, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Max Jorgensen, 12. Len Ikitau, 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14. Harry Potter, Wright; Bench - 16. Billy Pollard, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Tom Hooper, 20. Carlo Tizzano, 21. Nic White, 22. Ben Donaldson, 23. Filipo Daugunu. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
02-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Former Hurricanes star Salesi Rayasi poised for Flying Fijians debut against Wallabies
Salesi Rayasi of the Hurricanes (right) scores a try. (file image) Photo: AAP / Former Hurricanes utility back Salesi Rayasi is tipped to make his debut for the Flying Fijians against the Wallabies on Sunday. The 28-year-old is in Sydney with the Fijians after head coach Mick Byrne named him in the 32-member squad. Having declared his interest to play for Fiji, following his dad Filipe, Salesi got his release from the Hurricanes at the end of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season and headed to France, where he joined Vannes in the French Top 14 competition. Speaking to in Suva, who hails from Matuku island of Fiji's Lau group of islands, said being selected for the Flying Fijians was "an unreal feeling" . His dad Filipe played for Fiji between 1994 and 1997, wearing the number 15 jersey, which could be the same position Salesi will play in, having shifted between wing and fullback for the Hurricanes as well. The lanky player made the All Blacks Sevens team in 2018 after playing junior and college rugby in Wellington. He spent two years playing rugby sebens before being recruited by the Hurricanes on 2019 and going on to represent the side in 50 games. Salesi told that he had seen photos of his dad in the Fiji colours when he was young and that also inspired him to chase his dream. Utility backline players named in the Flying Fijians include: Selesitioni Ravutaumada, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Vilimoni Botitu and Sireli Maqalam, who are all able to play at fullback as well. It means Salesi will have to be at his best to get the nod from Byrne for a spot in the match-day 23. Salesi Rayasi during a training session with the Flying Fijians in Newcastle, Sydney. 1 July 2025 Photo: Fiji Rugby Byrne is expected to name his starting lineup mid-week. The Fijians have been training in Sydney since the weekend. Byrne emphasised the squad's readiness to take on the challenge of facing the Wallabies in Newcastle, especially since the Fijians had defeated the Wallabies at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. The squad will also face Scotland in Suva on 12 July. "Both Australia and Scotland are established Tier One sides, and we know the level we need to rise to," Byrne said. "This squad reflects the depth, strength, and we will give a performance that will make all Fijians proud." The squad have 13 players from the Fijian Drua, 10 players based in France and five from England. Key players included are: Viliame Mata (Bristol), Josua Tuisova (Racing 92), and Sireli Maqala (Bayonne), alongside veteran forwards Eroni Mawi (Saracens), Samuel Matavesi (Lyon), and Albert Tuisue (Gloucester). The Drua inclusions include captain Tevita Ikanivere, Caleb Muntz, Isaiah Washington-Ravula. Prop Luke Tagi has pulled ut because of injury and has been replaced by Drua prop Samu Tawake. "We've focused on combinations that give us both tactical adaptability and the trademark Fijian spirit," Byrne said. "We want to win but more importantly, we want to win playing our brand of rugby." The Flying Fijians will take on the Wallabies at 3.30pm (NZ Time) at the Newcastle International Sports Centre on Sunday. They will then play Scotland on 12 July at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
