Former All Blacks No.8 and 2024 Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Season, Hoskins Sotutu is on Mick Byrne’s radar.

Also on the Flying Fijians head coach watch list are forwards Pita Gus Sowakula and George Bower.

This followed their non-selection for the All Blacks the last two years since their last appearance for the black jersey was in 2022.

Sotutu featured in the 25-25 draw against England on November 19, 2022; his eligibility for either England or Fiji is only valid from that date this year.

Sowakula and Bower’s three-year stand down period expires on July 9 and November 19 respectively.

Sowakula, a former age-grade Fiji basketball star will be eligible for the Pacific Nations Cup given his last Test cap was in July, 2022.

“I think it’s important that we speak to everybody that is available to play for the Flying Fijian and find out their willingness to do that,” Byrne told SUNsports yesterday.

“Players like that who has had an All Blacks career and does not work out for them for whatever reason, then that might be an opportunity for them to represent their home country.”

Byrne has not spoken to the three players yet.

“He’s (Sotutu) got the opportunity to play for two countries so definitely will be following him up. He’s not available until the end of November so we will be following him up in the new year.

“Pita Gus is available earlier (on July 9) and we’ll be following up and chatting to all of them whether or not they’re keen to pursue a career with their home country.”

Tighthead prop Bower currently plays for the Crusaders. Sotutu is contracted with the Blues through until the end of the 2026 season while Sowakula plays for Clermont in the French Top 14 competition.

Former All Blacks and Crusaders star centre Seta Tamanivalu, was the first Fijian player to join the Flying Fijians following the change in World Rugby eligibility rules in November 2021.

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj