It is important for the FIJI Water Flying Fijians to perform well at the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup, with the Nations Championship coming up in November.
Interim Coach Senirusi Seruvakula highlighted this to the media from Japan, saying 80 percent of the squad is made up of players from the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua, along with locally based players.
Seruvakula says these players need to step up and prove themselves in the PNC.
With a different format for the PNC this year, only four teams, Fiji, Japan, Canada and the USA, are competing in Japan, with the tournament already at the semi-final stage.
The tournament gives the defending PNC champions a chance to return to winning ways after a disappointing Nations Championship campaign in July, where they lost all three matches.
Canada is coming off a heavy defeat to Japan and will be looking to improve up front after their pack struggled in the set piece.
The Flying Fijians will take on Canada at 7 tonight at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka.
Meanwhile, hosts Japan will face the USA at 10.05 tonight.
