A Fijian rugby player has tested positive for Covid-19 at the team's training base in France.
The Fiji Rugby Union did not name the player but French weekly Midi Olympique said Semi Radradra had returned a positive test and will be retested today.
Semi Radradra was set to captain Fiji against France. Photo: Photosport
Flying Fijians coach Vern Cotter told the Fiji Sun newspaper yesterday Radradra would captain the team against France on Monday but the Bristol Bears centre was not in the 23-man squad named this afternoon.
The Fiji delegation conducted the latest round of Covid tests after relocating from Limoges to their Autumn Nations Cup tournament base in Saint-Galmier.
"As part of the Covid-19 tournament protocols, the player has been isolated and is being monitored by our medical team" explained Fiji Rugby CEO John O'Connor.
Vern Cotter will take charge of Fiji for the first time against France. Photo: Photosport
The concerned player previously tested negative on two occasions and has so far shown no symptoms.
John O'Connor said the player is doing well and the team is confident he will be cleared when the next set of test results come back.
The Fiji squad have gone undergone their final round of Covid testing before Monday's Autumn Nations Cup opener against France and are awaiting the results.
Three members of the Flying Fijians group also tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this month.
The Flying Fijians will play four tests in November/December. Photo: Fiji Rugby
Nine New Caps in Line for Test Debut
Nine players are poised to make their Test debut against France in Vannes.
Mesulame Kunavula, Kitione Kamikamica and Johnny Dyer have been named to start in an all-new loose forward trio at Stade de la Rabine.
Hooker Tevita Ikanivere, props Haereiti Hatet and Samuela Tawake, lock Temo Manayavanua, flanker Manueli Ratuniyarawa and halfback Simione Kuruvoli are also poised to earn their first caps off the bench.
Head coach Vern Cotter said despite the Covid-related challenges since the team assembled the spirit of the players remains strong.
"To be fair it hasn't bothered the players," he said. "The players are focused on playing for the Flying Fijians and putting on the white jersey that they are incredibly proud off together with representing their country.
"It's an exciting blend of experience and young players who want to establish themselves as Flying Fijians."
While there is a number of new faces in the team, Cotter said has named an experienced backline, with Frank Lomani and 36-test veteran Ben Volavola resuming their partnership in the halves, new captain Levani Botia and Waisea Nayacalevu in midfield and the returning Nemani Nadolo joining Josua Tuisova and Kini Murimurivalu in the back three.
Fiji centre Levani Botia will captain his country against France. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"We have a very established backline who have played together for many tests and I expect them to be lethal if given quality possession," Cotter said.
"Botia brings in a lot of experience to the game. He has been a very good leader on and off the field plus the younger players look up to him as a role model."
"Most of these players are among the most instinctive players in world. We don't want to restrict their instinct of open running rugby but we just want to strengthen our set piece and create an environment where there is proper system that can get the best out of our players when we have possession or when we are defending."
The Fiji squad returned to full training this week, although Vern Cotter's side will be going in cold to their test against an in-form French side, after a proposed warm-up match against Portugal was called off.
"It would have been good to play against Portugal because then we would have had a good reference about our game but what has happened is beyond our control and we just have to prepare well and focus on our first match," he said.
"France is a very good team to play against and for us to test our set-piece, scrum, lineouts and defence. The players are aware about this massive challenge and they are getting ready for it."
Flying Fijians team vs France
1. Peni Ravai, 2. Sam Matavesi, 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Tevita Ratuva, 5. Albert Tuisue, 6. Mesulame Kunavula, 7. Kitione Kamikamica, 8. Johnny Dyer, 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Ben Volavola, 11. Nemani Nadolo, 12. Levani Botia (c), 13. Waisea Nayacalevu, 14. Josua Tuisova, 15. Kini Murimurivalu.
Reserves: 16. Tevita Ikanivere, 17. Haereiti Hetet, 18. Samuela Tawake, 19. Temo Mayanavanua, 20. Manueli Ratuniyarawa, 21. Simione Kuruvoli, 22. Serupepeli Vularika, 23. Setareki Tuicuvu.
