24 of the best emerging players from Tonga, Samoa and 9 Rooster Chicken Fijian Warriors that took part in the recent World Rugby Pacific Challenge at Apia Park have been included in the Pacific Combine – a weeklong high-performance program that is funded by World Rugby that takes place between the 21st to 27th April.
The program headed by experts such as former Japan and Wallabies backline coach, Scott Wisemantel, will provide the identified players from the Oceania region with first class coaching and receive the best advise on their way to obtaining a professional contract.
Rooster Chicken Fijian Warriors coach, Senirusi Seruvakula says the players selected to be part of this program were selected after they showed some potential during the Pacific Challenge to the scouts that were there to select potential elite players.
“This program has been designed to help them as they will be coached and mentored by experts who will support them by providing the best advice in gaining a professional contract,” says Seruvakula.
“A success story of this program is Frank Lomani who was identified when I coached the Fijian Warriors. He later went onto play for the Melbourne Rebels in Australia, Northampton Saints in England and currently ply’s his trade with the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua team in the 2024 Pacific Super Rugby competition.”
The 2024 Pacific Combine is aimed to accelerate the development of these high potential players in a professional environment which is designed to level participants to World Rugby standards at all facets of the game.
The Rooster Chicken Fijian Warriors players selected for the program includes:
- Ebenezer Lomalagi Navula
- John Muller
- Maika Kamikamica
- Timoci Nakalevu
- Sireli Masiwini
- Sakiusa Vosayaco
- Aisake Atani
- Emosi Natubailagi
- Apimeleki Naboleqa