The Sportsworld Fiji Under-20 will miss the service of their crafty first five eight Anare Tabakaucoro in the Oceania Rugby U20 Challenge at Prince Charles Park in Nadi next week. Fiji U20 manager Nemani Tuifagalele confirmed to SUNsports yesterday that the 19-year-old recently joined the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) cadet training. Tabakaucoro captained the Queen Victoria School U18 rugby team to win the Vodafone Deans Trophy in 2023 and 2024. “Most of them (players) have actually moved on, good for them,” Tuifagalele said. “I think after three months, they’ll be back in top rugby competition especially for the Army and I wish them well.” Tuifagalele said their team would need to match the physicality of their competitors to play competitive rugby. “The outstanding thing from Fijians is the guts that we have that we can match those bigger boys that we play,” the Suva lawyer said. “We’ve only selected those who performed and made themselves available after the Super Rugby U20 competition.” Tuifagalele said the coaches have opted to recruit bigger players from other Super Rugby franchise. “The discussion for the World Cup, I think we will all start from the same platform level from next year. “I think this is a build-up to that, there is no more Tier one and Tier two splits.” Tuifagalele said the Match Day 23 squad against Tonga will be named on Sunday. “The boys from overseas, we’ve prepared them really well coming over here. This is with a very high threshold of fitness and the local boys have blended really well. I think they are ready to get into the competition next week.” Round 1- Wednesday, May 28 2pm Samoa v Canada; 4pm Fiji v Tonga. Round 2- Monday, June 2 2pm Samoa v Tonga; 4pm Fiji v Canada Round 3- Saturday, June 7 2pm Tonga v Canada; 4pm Fiji v Samoa Feedback: ioane.asioli@fijisun.com.fj