Viliame Mata

Positive mindset says Flying Fijians No.8

Seven players with links to Fiji are part of the Australian side which includes Suliasi Vunivalu, Marika Koroibete, Isaac Fines Leleiwasa, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Samu Kerevi, Rob Valetini and Langi Gleeson,

Fiji Water Flying Fijians number eight Viliame Mata believes it’s going to be a special occasion but their objective hasn’t changed.

“It’s just a great challenge for us to go against our fellow Fijians from the other side but it doesn’t take away the mindset, we’re going for our first win this week, that’s what our mindset is,”

Nations Cup blow for Fiji as Edinburgh's Bill Mata faces surgery this week

The 28-year-old faces surgery this week after damaging ankle ligaments during his side’s European Challenge Cup quarter-final loss to Bordeaux last week.

He will now be missing as Richard Cockerill’s team kick off the season against Ospreys at Murrayfield on Saturday. And Mata is also likely to be absent when Fiji visit Edinburgh in late November as part of the new Autumn Nations Cup tournament.