Fiji Airways Fijian 7s Head Coach Ben Gollings has named an exciting pack as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series resumes in Singapore followed by Vancouver 7s.
This is the first team selected by Gollings since he was appointed as the Head Coach in December.
Gollings had enough time to gauge the capability of the players through the Fun Flavour Super 7s Series and the Fun Flavour Fiji Rugby Mini International 7s which included New Zealand and Australian 7s teams.
He said “Having a 30-men-squad and seeing them perform in the local tournaments has really helped us. We have had a really good look at these players and see how they performed and overall I was happy with each and everyone’s performance which certainly made the selection tricky.”
Gollings added “We are so fortunate tournaments such as the Fun Flavour Super 7s Series being played in Fiji and also having New Zealand and Australia coming to play here has been so valuable in our development as a squad.
Olympic Games gold medalist Josua Vakurinabili will guide the powerful forward pack which also consists of top local players Joseva Talacolo, Jeremaia Matana, Tevita Daugunu and Elia Canakaivata.
Jerry Tuwai and Waisea Nacuqu will marshal the backline supported by Iowane Rautraciri, Iowane Teba and Kaminieli Rasaku who made their debut in Dubai last year.
Halfback Pilipo Bukayaro of Army, Fire 7s players Vuiviawa Naduvalo, Tira Wilagi and Tabadamu’s Josevani Soro will make their debut for the Fijian 7s side in Singapore.
Gollings said “I believe it’s a good mix of young and experienced players. We need experienced players as it helps bring the team together and helps develop the inexperience therefore players such as Jerry Tuwai, Josua Vakurinabili and Waisea Nacuqu have played a vital role in the team.
“Then we got the likes of Pilipo Bukayaro playing at halfback who is been fantastic and really grown in the last few tournaments. Vuiviawa Naduvalo has been brilliant and has developed into an exciting player. Tira Wilagi and Josevani Soro have also been at their best so far” said Gollings.
The side will be captained by Tevita Daugunu while Waisea Nacuqu is named as the vice-captain.
Gollings said Daugunu has been captaining the side during this period and has been fantastic in the way he had led the young players during the local 7s tournaments.
“He has shown great leadership qualities and he will certainly be assisted by season campaigners and experienced players in the squad” said Gollings.
The Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team departs for Singapore on Monday. The Singapore 7s will be held on the 9th and 10th of April while the Vancouver tournament will be played on the 17th and 18th of next month.
Fijian 7s squad for Singapore and Vancouver 7s
- Josua Vakurinabili
- Joseva Talacolo
- Jeremaia Matana
- Tevita Daugunu {c}
- Elia Canakaivata
- Iowane Raturaciri
- Pilipo Bukayaro
- Waisea Nacuqu {v/c}
- Jerry Tuwai
- Iowane Teba
- Kaminieli Rasaku
- Vuiviawa Naduvalo
- Josevani Soro
- Tira Wilagi
