Fiji Sevens coach Jo Savou has rung the changes with only four players retained from the last two legs of the IRB Sevens World Series in Wellington and San Diego where the islanders crashed out in the Cup quarter-finals.
Those early exits after two final appearances in the opening events in December leave the 2005/06 Series champions lying third in the standings at the halfway stage with 44 points, some 36 points fewer than runaway leaders New Zealand.
Viliame Maya, Setefano Cakau, Tomasi Mawi and Fiji’s leading try scorer Emosi Vucago are the four players to keep their places for the fifth and sixth legs of the Series in Hong Kong and Adelaide.
Jone Kuruduadua, Ratunaisa Narukutabua and Timoci Matanavou are the three new faces in the squad, which is boosted by the return of star names like William Ryder, Nasoni Roko, Lepani Nabuliwaqa, Mosese Volavola and Marika Vunibaka.
However Savou suffered a blow when former captain Semisi Naevo was forced to pull out through injury. Fiji face Wales, Zimbabwe and Korea in Pool D in Hong Kong, with Kenya, England and France their Pool D opponents in Adelaide.
Players return for Canada
Meanwhile Canada coach Shane Thompson has unveiled his squad for the Hong Kong and Adelaide tournaments with Kris Witkowski and Christoph Strubin returning from long-term injuries to bolster their challenge.
Thompson has also named Daniel van der Merwe in the squad, although the 21-year-old who impressed on his IRB Sevens World Series debut with six tries needs to prove his fitness after being sidelined with ankle ligament damage suffered in Dubai.
Phil Mack continues as captain with other Series regulars Nathan Hirayama, Adam Kleeberger and Neil Meechan retained, while Justin Mensah-Coker has been released by his French club Albi for both tournaments and Jarod Selby receives his first call up.
Two players will share one place in the squad with France-based Mike Pyke playing in the Hong Kong Sevens from 28-30 March, before Sydney-based Mark Fisher takes over at the Adelaide Oval a week later.
Canada have been handed tough draws in both tournaments with defending champions Samoa, England and Sri Lanka their Pool B opponents in Hong Kong and then South Africa, Australia and USA awaiting them in Pool C in Adelaide.
Fiji squad:
Marika Vunibaka, Mosese Volavola, Viliame Maya, Setefano Cakau, Jone Kuruduadua, Emosi Vucago, Tomasi Mawi, William Ryder, Lepani Nabuliwaqa, Ratunaisa Narukutabua, Nasoni Roko, Timoci Matanavou.
Non-travelling reserves: Epeli Vuniwaqa, Iliavi Satala.
Canada squad:
Mark Fisher (Adelaide only), Ciaran Hearn, Nathan Hirayama, Adam Kleeberger, Tony La Carte, Phil Mack (Captain), Neil Meechan, Justin Mensah-Coker, Mike Pyke (Hong Kong only), Jarod Selby, Christoph Strubin, Daniel van der Merwe (subject to fitness test), Kris Witkowski.
Non-travelling reserves: Harry Jones, Jordan Kozina, Brock Nicholson, Chauncey O’Toole, Gordie Sawers, Ty Shannon, Jeb Sinclair, Rob Turk, Morgan Williams.
