Flying Fijians on their way to London

The Fiji Water Flying Fijians team left our shores last night bound for London where they will face the Barbarians for the Killik Cup.

Flying Fijians coach Mick Byrne says the core of the team will be made up of Swire Shipping Fijian Drua players this weekend due to the unavailability of most Northern Hemisphere-based players.

This is because this game falls outside the international Test window so clubs have no obligation to release their players.

Only Vilimoni Botitu, who is a Northern Hemisphere-based player, has been released from his club to join the Flying Fijians.

Byrne has also confirmed that a few Fijian Drua players who were not named in the 33-member squad for the June and July tests with the likes of Waqa Nalaga, Apisalome Vota, Samuela Tawake and Emosi Tuqiri.

Byrne has also confirmed that Waratahs utility back and former Fiji Bati player Vuate Karawalevu has joined the squad.

The Flying Fijians take on the Barbarians at 4.15am Sunday at Twickenham Stadium.