Montpellier utility back Timoci Nagusa ran at fullback during the Vodafone Flying Fijians training session at Albert Park, Suva, yesterday.
Nagusa has been eyed by head coach John McKee to replace Kini Murimurivalu during their 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifiers against Tonga and Samoa. “Jim (Nagusa) has played for us before in that position and also for his club in France,” McKee said.
Nagusa played at fullback for Tailevu at the start of his rugby career before he was moved to the wing.
However, McKee is still contemplating on who will replace Albert Vulivuli at centre. “We’ve a pool of talented players and tomorrow I’ll be talking to Asaeli Tikoirotuma and we also have Vereniki Goneva who has played for us in that position before,” he added.
Murimurivalu and Vulivuli have returned to France to be their wives who are about to give birth.
The Flying Fijians take on Tonga on Saturday, July 8, at the Tefauiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa and Samoa on July 15 at Apia Stadium.
The 28-member squad will be named on Saturday.
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj