Fiji, Sāmoa and Tonga name squads for new rugby tournaments

Fiji, Samoa and Tonga have named their respective match-day 23 to compete in the two new World Rugby competitions over the weekend.

The Flying Fijians will square off against Wales in their opening Nations Championship match. It is going to be the team's first game in the competition, which sees Fiji and Japan included, alongside the Six Nations teams - England, Italy, France, Scotland and Wales - and Southern hemisphere giants Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

It is the first Tier One competition outside of the Rugby World Cup for the Fijians as well

Meanwhile, Manu Samoa takes on Hong Kong China, while Tonga will meet Zimbabwe in the new World Rugby Nations Cup, which includes teams from Asia and the Americas.

Fiji v Wales

Kick-off: 1:10am, Sunday 5 July

Venue: Hill Dickson Stadium, Liverpool, UK

Flying Fijians head coach Senirusi Seruvakula has named a strong match-day 23, which sees a mix of Super Rugby and Europe-based players.

Captain Tevita Ikanivere, named at hooker, and veteran backline utility player Semi Radradra are the only players playing in Japan named in the team.

Ten Fiji Drua players are in the match-day 23, led by the club's co-captains for the 2026 season, halfback Frank Lomani and lock forward Temo Mayanavanua.

A highlight is the return of France-based loosie Peceli Yato, who missed the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He has been named to start off the bench and is likely to feature at number eight.

Josua Tuisova has been named at inside back as the Flying Fijians prepare to face Wales in the UK Sunday (NZT). Photo/World Rugby

Seruvakula said he has named a team blending power and pace.

The selection signals a clear intent against a Welsh side that recently faced the Barbarians at Twickenham. Seruvakula stressed that every player selected has earned their place based on outstanding club form.

He highlighted the inclusion of prop Tim Hoyt, who gets his opportunity following the unavailability of Luke Tagi.

"Hoyt has been showing good times with his numbers during his game time in France provided him with that opportunity," Seruvakula said.

The Drua combination of Lomani and flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula will be given the freedom to dictate Fiji's game against a Welsh side who struggled against the Barbarians last weekend.

The midfield combination of Josua Tuisova and Radradra also holds the key to the Fijians' attacking game and defensive workout.

Speedsters Jiuta Wainiqolo and Selestino Ravutaumada provide the edge out wide, with Salesi Rayasi at fullback.

Seruvakula told the media earlier in the week the focus is on having a good start against Wales and getting a win to kick start their 2026 Nations Championship campaign.

Flying Fijians head coach Senirusi Seruvakula says his side is ready for a physical test as they open their Nations Championship campaign against Wales. Photo/DFAT

Wales Head coach Steve Tandy told media in Cardiff there is "no hangover" from the match fees dispute that blew up on the eve of Wales' Nations Championship opener against Fiji.

This followed a dispute earlier this week that forced talks between the Welsh Rugby Union and the Welsh Rugby Players' Association to resolve the payment issue for the new competition.

The issue was eventually resolved in the early evening on Wednesday.

"People have gone through experiences, and nothing's perfect. It's just how you deal with those things," Tandy told the Welsh media.

"The only thing I'm really grateful of is it is resolved and there's no hangover from it. The boys have been really focused when it comes to training.

"We will get there at some point where there'll be a campaign where we just talk totally about rugby."

He said he had been "checking in" with the players and "in fairness, the players have been brilliant. The preparation hasn't been interrupted in terms of our training and how we've gone about it".

Following last week's uncapped 33-31 win over the Barbarians at Twickenham, Tandy has made six changes to his side - with the most notable being a return for Rees-Zammit to his favoured position on the wing.

Flying Fijians: 1. Eroni Mawi, 2.Tevita Ikanivere (captain), 3. Tim Hoyt, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Temo Mayanavanua, 6. Pita-Gus Sowakula, 7. Kiti Salawa, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Jiuta Wainiqolo, 12. Josua Tuisova, 13. Semi Radradra, 14. Selestino Ravutaumada, 15. Salesi Rayasi

Bench: 16. Zuriel Togiatama, 17. Livai Natave, 18. Peni Ravai, 19. Mesake Vocevoce, 20. Peceli Yato, 21. Simi Kuruvoli, 22. Filimoni Botitu, 23. Kalaveti Ravouvou

Tonga v Zimbabwe

Kick-off: 10:15am, Sunday 5 July NZT

Venue: DICK'S Sporting Goods Park, Denver, Colorado

'Ikale Tahi head coach Tevita Tuifu'a expects a tough challenge from Zimbabwe when the two teams meet in their clash on Sunday morning.

Tuifu'a said their opponents have been in camp longer and have had some warm up matches.

"I expect them to be direct and hard in the forwards, especially with their carries," he said from Denver, where the team has been in camp for the last week.

"Maybe they will have the advantage of having had some warm up games but we are prepared. The team has been training well and the players know how important this first game is."

Sam Tuitupou Jnr, 20, has been named at flanker, with Moana Pasifika dominating the match-day 23.

A file photo of Tonga vs Fiji: The 'Ikale Tahi will take on Zimbabwe in Denver, US, this weekend with coach Tevita Tuifu'a expecting a physical contest. Photo/World Rugby

Tuifu'a said both he and assistant coach Nili Latu have picked the players on form, thus the inclusion of Moana Pasifika players in the team to play the opening game.

Moli brother Samiuela and Atu get to start off together upfront, while another brother Sekope is on the bench.

The experience of Jimmy Tupou and Veikoso Poliniati at lock forward plus the versatility of Tuitupou, vice captain Semisi Paea and Otunuku Pauta in the loosies should do well for the Tongans in the battle for lineout balls and the rucks.

All are also good ball runners.

Veteran halfback Sonatane Takulua will lead the side again as captain, with the key combination of flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini and fullback William Havili one that should prove a big advantage for the side.

Both are good kickers and their ability to nail the opposition in their half with long touch-finders or high bombs could prove to be a winner for the Tonga.

Tonga: 1. Fatongia Paea, 2. Samiuela Moli, 3. Atu Moli, 4. Jimmy Tupou, 5. Veikoso Poliniati, 6. Samuel Tuitupou, 7. Semisi Paea (VC), 8. Otunuku Pauta, 9. Sonatane Takulua (captain), 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Telusa Veainu, 12. Fine Inisi, 13, John Tapueluelu, 14. Taniela Filimone, 15. William Havili

Bench: 16. Sekope Lopeti Moli, 17. Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, 18. Paula Latu, 19. Mahorni Ngakuru, 20. Sione Tu'ipulotu, 21. Siaosi Nginingini, 22. Solomone Kata, 23. Anzelo Tu'itavuki

Miracle Fai'ilagi is the new Manu Samoa captain. Photo/World Rugby/Christopher Pike

Manu Samoa v Hong Kong China

Kick-off: 7am, Sunday 5 July NZT

Venue: Estadio Nacional, Santiago

Moana Pasifika's 2026 captain Miracle Fai'ilagi is the new Manu Samoa captain for the 2026 season.

The tough flanker has been given the lead role by head coach Leamanu Tusi Pisi to lead the team against Hong Kong China in Chile in their opening game.

Pisi has named a Samoan side that sees a number of debutants, some experienced hands and others who were part of the campaign in 2025.

The former Manu Samoa flyhalf said the competition presents opportunities for players to show their worth and for him and his coaches to work on their game plans and combinations, moving forward into 2027.

In an earlier interview last month Pisi said players in the squad now have their opportunity to claim their spots.

"Am happy with the experience in the squad plus the new players we have named. We have some players who were part of the campaign in 2025 as well," he said.

"It's an opportunity for us to see these players and give them the opportunity to prove themselves."

Players who have been given the chance to get their first internationals are hooker Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia, Peter Umaga-Jensen and Warren Solomona, who have been named in the starting lineup.

On the bench are Taeaoelia Pomale-Time and Taunu'u Niuleva'ea.

Former All Black prop and 2026 Reds Super Rugby Pacific player Jeff Toomaga-Allen is on the bench.

Manu Samoa: 1. Aki Seiuli, 2. Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia, 3. Marco Fepulea'I, 4. Ben Petaia Nee-Nee, 5. Samuel Slade, 6. Mircale Fai'ilagi (captain), 7. Alamanda Motuga, 8. Iakopo Mapu, 9. Joel Lam, 10. AJ Alatimu, 11. Tuna Tuitama, 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13. Duncan Paia'aua, 14. Warren Solomona, 15. Latrell Ah Kiong

Bench: 16. Pita Aanae-Ah Sue, 17. Jarred Adams, 18. Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 19. Taeaoelia Pomale-Time, 20. Niko Jones, 21. Connor Tupa'I, 22. Taunu'u Niuleva'ea, 23. Elisepeta Alofipo.

This story was first published on RNZ Pacific.