Fijian Rugby Sevens teams named for Commonwealth Games

Fiji Rugby is thrilled to announce two strong and experienced sevens teams which will be part of Team Fiji’s campaign to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

After competing in the Oceania 7s a fortnight ago, coach Ben Gollings and Saiasi Fuli have finally penciled in their 16-member traveling squad which also includes two non-traveling reserves.

The Men’s 7s squad consists of six Olympic Gold medalists plus those who were on top of their game in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series this year.

Josua Vakurinabili, Semi Kunatani will lead the tough forward pack while Jerry Tuwai and Waisea Nacuqu will add experience and in the backline. European-based Aminiasi Tuimaba and Sireli Maqala will inject power and speed on the wings.

Gollings have also included former Men’s 7s captain Paula Dranisinukula in the forwards.

Players who have been in form throughout the 2021/2022 World Rugby Sevens Series have also earned a spot in the team.

The squad also consists of five players who were part of the Commonwealth Games in Australia four years ago.

Gollings said “I think overall we have got a really good balance and we have selected the squad based on experienced and performance.

There are a lot of players who are new to the series this year and they have really stepped up such as players like Elia Canakaivata, Jerry Matana, and Tevita Daugunu who have been really marshaling the forwards well.”

“Definitely for us, it’s one of the medals that has escaped Fiji over the years and our target is to go and claim that,” said Gollings.

The Team Fiji Men’s Rugby Sevens Team is:

1. Elia Canakaivata
2. Josua Vakurinabili
3. Tevita Daugunu
4. Sevuloni Mocenacagi
5. Jerry Matana
6. Semi Kunatani
7. Jerry Tuwai
8. Philipo Bukayaro
9. Waisea Nacuqu
10. Filipe Sauturaga
11. Kaminieli Rasaku
12. Sireli Maqala
13. Aminiasi Tuimaba
14. Vuiviawa Naduvalo
15. Manueli Maisamoa
16. Paula Dranisinukula

Women’s 7s Coach Saiasi Fuli also revealed that selecting his final squad wasn’t that easy, especially after the performance of the new girls during the 2021/2022 World Rugby Sevens Series.

Fuli has named a very strong team which consists of 10 bronze medalists who were regular starters during the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Vani Buleki, Verenaisi Bari, Ivamere Nabura and Maria Rokotuisiga will add more firepower in the squad as they have been performing at their level best this season.

Veteran forward Rusila Nagasau will captain the side.

“We created a very competitive environment for them in terms of discipline, fitness, understanding of set-pieces and executing the plans against the opponents while on the field.

These girls know the expectation and are ready to put Fiji on the World map once again” said Fuli.

The Rugby 7s will be played from the 29^th to the 31^st of July at the Coventry Stadium in Birmingham.

The Team Fiji’s Women’s Rugby Team is:

1. Rusila Nagasau {c}
2. Rejieli Daveua
3. Vani Buleki
4. Vasiti Solikoviti
5. Verenaisi Bari
6. Ivamere Nabura
7. Lavena Cavuru
8. Viniana Riwai
9. Reapi Uluinasau
10. Maria Rokotuisiga
11. Ana Naimasi
12. Sesenieli Donu
13. Laisani Likuceva

Traveling Reserves

1. Lavenia Tinai
2. Laisani Moceisawana