Fiji Rugby Union has officially launched the Fijian Latui, the country’s second men’s representative team, replacing the Fiji Warriors as part of a renewed effort to strengthen the pathway to the national side.

The Fijian Latui will serve as a crucial development platform for emerging players aspiring to wear the jersey of the Fiji Water Flying Fijians, providing greater opportunities for local and overseas-based talent to progress to the highest level of international rugby.

The initiative has received strong backing from the Fiji Rugby Players Association, which says the new team creates a clear and structured pathway for players aiming to represent Fiji on the world stage.

Fiji Rugby General Manager High Performance Naca Cawanibuka also announced the head coach who will guide the inaugural squad, which features a blend of experienced and developing talent from both local and international competitions.

The squad includes 10 players from the Skipper Cup competition, two representatives from the Fijian Drua, and 24 Fiji-qualified players currently based in France.

With a new identity and a clear development focus, Fiji Rugby believes the Fijian Latui will play a key role in building the next generation of Flying Fijians while strengthening the country’s playing depth ahead of future international campaigns.