New Flying Fijians halfback Sam Wye jetted into the country yesterday.

The 24-year-old joins his Flying Fijians team-mates today as they assemble at the Fijian Drua homebase in Legalega, Nadi.

Speaking to SUNsports, Wye said he was honoured to be selected but at the same time excited with Test matches against Australia on July 6 in Newcastle followed by Scotland in Suva on July 12.

“I’m privileged to be given this opportunity,” he said.

“Being born in New Zealand, my heritage comes back to Fiji. It’s always been in the back of my mind playing for Fiji and to finally get the opportunity, it’s something I’m looking forward to.”

His dad Philip and uncle Frank played for the Lautoka football team.

“The biggest thing was my dad moving to New Zealand for football. Then I was growing up in New Zealand, rugby is the number one sport there, so all the schools I went to, rugby was just in my DNA,” Wye said.

He plays for Hawkes Bay in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship (NPC).

Wye is one of the three halfbacks in the current Flying Fijians squad. The other two halfbacks are Simione Kuruvoli and Philip Baselala.

Veteran halfback Frank Lomani is ruled out of the July Test matches due to a shoulder injury where he had to undergo surgery.

Wye said there are a lot of world class players in the Flying Fijians squad but the onus is on head coach Mick Byrne.

“I am excited to meet a lot of them and hopefully add something to the team.”

Wye attended St Peter’s College, Auckland, and played for Ponsonby RFC. He was named in the Auckland squad for the 2022 Bunnings NPC.

He was also called into the Moana Pasifika side ahead of Round 12 of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season, making his debut in the match against the Hurricanes.

In 2023, he moved from Auckland to Hawkes Bay ahead of the 2023 NPC.

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