Dual rugby league international Semi Radradra has been selected in the Flying Fijians rugby team for next month's Pacific Nations Cup (PNC).
The 25-year-old, who represented the Fiji Under 20s and Fiji sevens team in 2011 while still a teenager, is in his first season with Toulon in the French Top 14 after six years playing rugby league.
Former rugby league star Semi Radradra is now playing rugby for French side Toulon. Photo: AFP
The former Fiji Bati and Kangaroos league star is one of five new caps in the 30-man Fiji squad named by head coach John McKee for home tests against Samoa, Georgia and Tonga in June, alongside Brive centre Sevanaia Galala, Fiji Warriors front rowers Tuvere Veremalua and Eroni Mawi and Australia-based loose forward Albert Tuisue.
"With probably only for the Pacific teams only 12 test matches, including June, through to Rugby World Cup you need to make the most of every assembly to build your team," McKee said.
"As good as some of our match performance was in 2017 we need to be better in 2018. Our performance levels must build towards 2019 to put us in the best position to have a successful Rugby World Cup."
Brive centre Sevanaia Galala has earned a call-up to the Flying Fijians squad. Photo: AFP
McKee said the defending PNC champions were particularly looking forward to testing themselves against the Lelos, who prevailed when the teams last played in Suva two years ago.
"Georgia are very interesting for us because Georgia are in the same pool as us at the World Cup so we certainly want to get one over them because this is the only time we will play them before Rugby World Cup.
"So that's a really important game for us but also knowing Georgia (are a) very forward-powered dominated team it's important for us to be able to take on that challenge and play those sort of teams and I expect Tonga are very similar, they'll be coming over with a very strong forward pack as well."
Fiji squad:
Campese Maáfu, Peni Ravai, Eroni Mawi, Tuapati Talemaitoga, Ratunaisa Navuma, Tuvere Veremalua, Ropate Rinakama, Kalivati Tawake, Manasa Saulo, Sikeli Nabou, Leone Nakarawa, Api Ratuniyarawa, Albert Tuisue, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Viliame Mata, Mosese Voka, Nemani Nagusa, Akapusi Qera, Henry Seniloli, Frank Lomani, Serupepeli Vularika, Ben Volavola, Jale Vatubua, Sevanaia Galala, Semi Radrara, Vereniki Goneva, Josua Tuisova, Nemani Nadolo, Timoci Nagusa, Kini Murimurivalu.
On Standby: Eremasi Radrodro, Nikola Matawalu, Eroni Vasiteri, Patrick Osbourne, Benito Masilevu, Seta Tuicuvu.
Unavailable through injury: Tevita Cavubati, Peceli Yato, Levani Botia.
Semi Radradra played international rugby league for Fiji and Australia. Photo: PHOTOSPORT