McKee grateful to have experienced players for November tour

Vodafone Flying Fijians coach John McKee is grateful to have some experienced players back on board for next month's European tour.

A number of front‑line players missed the Flying Fijians Pacific Nations Cup success in June because of injury and a late‑finishing French season.

Akapusi Qera reassumes the captaincy and is one of seven players who last featured at the 2015 World Cup, alongside Nemani Nadolo, Tuapati Talemaitoga, Manasa Saulo, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Nikola Matawalu and Asaeli Tikoirotuma.

McKee says it is good to have them back.

McKee adds the Flying Fijians are a bit light on numbers in the tight five but are starting to build a strong base of top‑flight players.

He says that the first group of Fiji and New Zealand based players depart for France on Friday, where they will meet up with the Northern Hemisphere based squad members.

The Vodafone Flying Fijians will play the Barbarians on November 12th, England on the 19th and Japan on the 26th.