Despite Waisea Nayacalevu’s allegations of unpaid bonuses and corruption at Rugby House, he has been named in the Flying Fijians squad for the Europe tour.

Also named alongside him is senior player Semi Radradra, Albert Tuisue, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Samuel Matavesi and Meli Derenalagi who had backed Nayacalevu’s allegations.

Nayacalevu and Tevita Ikanivere have been named as co-captains.

When asked, Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne said the selection has nothing to do with the saga.

“It has nothing to do with team selection. I’ll pick the best players to play for the country in the tour,” Byrne said.

Fiji Rugby Union interim Trustees chairman Peter Mazey said on Wednesday that the head coach has the final say on the selection.

“We (interim Trustees) have no say in it,” Mazey said.

Also, making a return to the Flying Fijians squad is Racing 92 winger Josua Tuisova.

Speaking during the Zoom conference, Byrne said it is a big tour for the side as they face Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Spain.

“It is a four-game tour and we are expecting a certain amount of challenge from our oppositions,” he said.

“Climate is one area we expect to be a challenge but it is cool over there so it is okay.”

However, the selection saw the omission of robust centre, Iosefo Masi, due to injury

Byrne said they would miss Masi but he is undergoing rehab and deserves to recuperate after playing in all Super Rugby matches for the Fijian Drua before heading to the Olympic Games and the PNC.

Masi has been the target of Top 14 clubs with Lyon, being the latest to express interest on him as a possible replacement for Radradra.

While Byrne has maintained core of the team from the PNC, he has included Sireli Maqala, Jiuta Wainiqolo and Saimoni Uluinakauvadra.

“The naming of Maqala in the full-back position, was putting him in a position where he had played for us previously. Vuate Karawalevu can play in the midfield and full-back. We just have a great backline and it wouldn’t be fair to put them down in certain positions,” Byrne said.

He added that one of the strengths of the team is the ability of the players to play in different positions.

Byrne said the PNC squad had a few weeks break to recover from the tournament and the Super Rugby season.

“The players have played and it is good for them to take a few weeks off. Next week, we will go into training and we work out our combinations for the tour,” he said.

Byrne said it is time to scout and introduce new players for a perfect balance in the team.

“We try and give everyone an equal opportunity to play and take it to the next level.

“The sooner we can start letting the young players play, the sooner they get better and build our future,” he added.

The Flying Fijians play Scotland on November 2 in Murrayfield. Then they face Wales on November 10 in Cardiff, then Spain on November 17 before moving to Dublin to take on Ireland on November 23.

Feedback: josua.buredua@fijisun.com.fj