Power and Pace the right mix for Fiji
Gareth Baber has named a 16 man Fiji Airways Men’s 7’s touring squad to travel to Utah for preparations ahead of the Rugby World Cup Sevens later this month.
With just 12 spots available on the bus to San Francisco, Head Coach Baber is seeking the ultimate combination of speed and power to give his side the edge in July.
“With the backing of the FRU, we’re able to take the extended squad and give ourselves the best chance for success” he said.
Baber will name his final 12 around July 18; with the inclusion of European 15-a side stars Josua Tuisova, Semi Radradra, Semi Kunitani and Leone Nakarawa adding extra power to his squad.
“We know our squad can play with speed and intensity, and bringing in the European players allows us to add extra physical strength and power to the group” said Baber.
“I’ve seen Semi (Radradra), Semi (Kunatani) and Josua handle the 6 game, 2 day tournaments quite well, and we will see where Leone is at after a huge 35 games of 15’s”
“Power can be difficult to handle and his (Nakarawa) presence around the park will be something different we can add to our game for this tournament.”
The team leaves Fiji on Tuesday for a two-week preparation camp where they’ll play a host of warm up matches fine tuning their arsenal for the World Cup campaign.
“We’ll be using the camp to focus on speed of the game, seeing how the players move around the park in attack and defence and to find the ultimate blend of pace and power” he said.
“We’ve shown this year we have the ability to win games one after the other, which is vital in this no-pool knock out tournament”.
The Fiji Airway’s Men’s 7s open their Rugby World Cup campaign against the winner of Qualifying Match 7, either Japan or Uruguay on Saturday 21st July at 3.53pm Fiji Time.
The team assemblies in Nadi on Tuesday 3rd July for training before flying out that night, details of a media call to follow.
Fiji Airway’s Men’s 7s
Rugby World Cup Sevens
Utah Preparations Camp – Touring Squad.
- Josua Kurunabili
- Semi Kunitani
- Kalione Nasoko
- Jasa Veremalua
- Paula Dranisinukula
- Leone Nakarawa
- Apenisa Cakaubalavu
- Jerry Tuwai
- Waisea Nacugu
- Amenoni Nasilasila
- Vatemo Ravouvou
- Eroni Sau
- Alosio Naduva
- Sevuloni Mocenacagi
- Josua Tuisova
- Semi Radradra
Staff
- Gareth Baber
- Jone Niurua
- Mark Drown
- Naca Cawanibuka
- William Koong
- Chris Davies