Nabaitavo, naitasiri native in Italy 30-man squad to face flying fijians at anz stadium, suva on june 7

OSEA BOLA
SUVA

Manoa Vosawai, the first Fijian to be Italy rep will play in Fiji on June 7.

Manoa Vosawai is almost likely to play against his fellow countrymen when Italy plays the Flying Fijians on June 7 at ANZ Stadium in Suva
This was after the Nabaitavo, Naitasiri was named by Italy head coach Jacques Brunel in his 30-man squad for three Tests next month.
The Azzurri faces Fiji in Suva on June 7, Samoa in Apia on June 14 and Japan in Tokyo on June 21.
Vosawai played against the Flying Fijians during the November Tour last year and has never played against his fellowmen in his homeland.
He made his debut for Italy on August 18, 2007  against Japan and  powerful back row, who has earned 14 caps for the Azzurri,  was included in the Italian squad for the 2011 World Cup.
He plays for Benetton Treviso in Italy and will join Cardiff Blues  soon. At 6ft 2ins and 17st 5lbs, Vosawai is a dynamic and destructive ball carrier who featured during this season’s Six Nations championship.
The 30-year-old Vosawai believes joining the Blues can bring the best out in him.
“I thank God for my life and the many blessings in it,” he said. “Secondly I would like to thank Benetton Treviso for the last four years of my career.
“Treviso has been there for me through thick and thin, and has nurtured me into the rugby player I am today.
“I will miss being part of the family in Treviso and Benetton rugby.
“Now there’s a new page in my life and I am grateful that Richard Holland and his team has given me the opportunity to be part of the Cardiff Blues family.
Dale McIntosh, Defence Coach at Blues, said: “Manoa brings real experience to the squad. He is an Italian international and has been part of a professional environment for the last decade.
“We see him as a real mentor for the younger players in the back row to follow and learn off.
“We have some real talent in the set-up and Manoa can help them get even better.
“Crucially he is a very explosive ball carrier too, something we have all seen this season once again for Treviso and Italy. We are losing that with the departure of Robin Copeland and so Manoa will definitely fill that void.
“Manoa’s attitude is also absolutely spot on and he will work hard every single day to not only improve himself but also drive those people around him to higher standards.
Meanwhile, the Vodafone Flying Fijians will be without back row Netani Talei for the June internationals, with the former skipper ruled out through injury.
National coach John McKee confirms Talei injured his ankle playing for his club, Newport Dragons, over the weekend.
The injury has ruled him out of playing for the 8-12 weeks.
McKee said former Fiji sevens skipper, Seremaia Burotu, who plays for Biarritz in France, will be added to the extended squad.
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