Former All Blacks number 8 Pita Gus Sowakula is keen to play for Fiji.

That’s the word from Fiji Water Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne following his visit to players who are playing in the Northern Hemisphere.

The wily coach visited Sowakula and his Clermont team-mate Peceli Yato in France.

Sowakula is eligible to play for the Flying Fijians when his three-year stand down period expires on July 9; he last played for the All Blacks in their 23-11 loss to Ireland at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin in 2022.

“He’s (Sowakula) very keen. He’s put his hand up to be part of the selection pool, which is pleasing,” Byrne said.

“It was a good conversation to have with him, it was no guarantees, no promises made, just to chat, general catch up face-to-face with him and he’s enjoying his time in Clermont.”

The former Fijian Drua coach indicated that he also met with other senior players including captain Waisea Nayacalevu, Sam Matavesi and Semi Radradra at their respective clubs.

He said it was an opportunity to outline the year’s schedule to some players and to see their training environment.

Byrne has a pool of about 80 players, which he is monitoring to select his squad from for the July and November international Tests.

These players include most who were part of the extended squad last year as well as Benetton’s Onisi Ratave.

“We’re looking at all players, we just look at the positions of depth we have on our list as well. At the moment, it’s quite a task, but there are a number of players that we’re monitoring and looking at,” he said.

Byrne will work with FRU to sort out visas and will name his squad about three weeks before the Wallabies host Fiji in Newcastle on July 6.

“At this stage an open mind to the mix of squad, indications are our Northern Hemisphere players are keen and available to come down, so we should be able to pick a really good squad for the July window.

“We don’t know what the mix will be, there are some players that are going well for us in both hemispheres so we’ll just keep monitoring that and we’ll be discussing selections especially where we are at the moment,” he added.

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