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Tuwai and Nagasau back in their teams for Hamilton and Sydney 7s
Dual Olympic Games gold medallist Jerry Tuwai is back into the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team for the Hamilton and Sydney tournaments.
Head Coach Ben Gollings says after missing the last three tournaments, Tuwai is fresh and excited to take up the responsibility and guide the 14-member team during the tour.
Lanky Joseva Talacolo has been dropped due to an injury while Iowane Raturaciri and Paula Nayacakalou were not considered for Hamilton and Sydney 7s.
Making his debut will be former Suva Rugby and Dominion Brother forward Josese Batirerega while also included in the traveling squad is Josevani Drava.
Gollings said “It’s good to have the likes of Iowane Teba in the squad as he provides a good balance in the backs. We got the addition of Jerry Tuwai which is always good for the team because he got all those experience and is a great communicator for the players on and off the field.
Josese Batirerega has had an outstanding performance in the local Super 7s Series and Gollings believes it’s the best time to espouse the young talent on the World Stage.
“He is good and strong in the breakdown and has been performing well during the training.
We good a balanced and fully fit side and the goal for these two tournaments is to finish in the top two and we are working towards it” said Gollings.
The Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team is grouped with Samoa, France and Kenya. They face France at 8.32pm next Saturday before playing Kenya at 12 mid-day and then Samoa at 3.06pm.
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s Squad:
Alongside Nagasau, also back into the squad are Vani Buleki and Vasiti Solikoviti, and making her debut in Hamilton will be Maria Rokotuisiga.
Head Coach Saiasi Fuli said this is another opportunity for us to push our intention to qualify for the Olympics.
“We have 5 tournaments on the chart and Hamilton & Sydney is another opportunity not to be missed for us as we are about to depart.
We have prepared well and included some players that missed out on Dubai & Cape Town 7s. Rusila and Solikoviti are back and also an opportunity to expose another new kid on the block Maria Rokotuisiga” said Fuli.
He added “I want to expose as many young players as I could and also stay in touch with our overall objective, which is to be in the top 4 come May this year.”
The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s is pooled with New Zealand, Great Britain, and Papua New Guinea for the Hamilton tournament.
They take on Great Britain at 10.22am next Saturday, then face New Zealand at 2.12pm before taking on Papua New Guinea at 5.37pm.
Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s Squad:
Head Coach Ben Gollings says after missing the last three tournaments, Tuwai is fresh and excited to take up the responsibility and guide the 14-member team during the tour.
Lanky Joseva Talacolo has been dropped due to an injury while Iowane Raturaciri and Paula Nayacakalou were not considered for Hamilton and Sydney 7s.
Making his debut will be former Suva Rugby and Dominion Brother forward Josese Batirerega while also included in the traveling squad is Josevani Drava.
Gollings said “It’s good to have the likes of Iowane Teba in the squad as he provides a good balance in the backs. We got the addition of Jerry Tuwai which is always good for the team because he got all those experience and is a great communicator for the players on and off the field.
Josese Batirerega has had an outstanding performance in the local Super 7s Series and Gollings believes it’s the best time to espouse the young talent on the World Stage.
“He is good and strong in the breakdown and has been performing well during the training.
We good a balanced and fully fit side and the goal for these two tournaments is to finish in the top two and we are working towards it” said Gollings.
The Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team is grouped with Samoa, France and Kenya. They face France at 8.32pm next Saturday before playing Kenya at 12 mid-day and then Samoa at 3.06pm.
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s Squad:
- Josua Vakurinabili
- Jeremaia Matana
- Sevuloni Mocenacagi
- Josese Batirerega
- Tira Patterson
- Josevani Drava {Soro}
- Filipe Sauturaga
- Waisea Nacuqu
- Pilipo Bukayaro
- Iowane Teba
- Manueli Maisamoa
- Vuiviawa Naduvalo
- Jerry Tuwai
- Alasio Naduva
Alongside Nagasau, also back into the squad are Vani Buleki and Vasiti Solikoviti, and making her debut in Hamilton will be Maria Rokotuisiga.
Head Coach Saiasi Fuli said this is another opportunity for us to push our intention to qualify for the Olympics.
“We have 5 tournaments on the chart and Hamilton & Sydney is another opportunity not to be missed for us as we are about to depart.
We have prepared well and included some players that missed out on Dubai & Cape Town 7s. Rusila and Solikoviti are back and also an opportunity to expose another new kid on the block Maria Rokotuisiga” said Fuli.
He added “I want to expose as many young players as I could and also stay in touch with our overall objective, which is to be in the top 4 come May this year.”
The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s is pooled with New Zealand, Great Britain, and Papua New Guinea for the Hamilton tournament.
They take on Great Britain at 10.22am next Saturday, then face New Zealand at 2.12pm before taking on Papua New Guinea at 5.37pm.
Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s Squad:
- Rejieli Daveua
- Rusila Nagasau
- Vani Buleki
- Talei Wilson
- Ivamere Nabura
- Vasiti Solikoviti
- Lavena Cavuru
- Maria Rokotuisiga
- Viniana Riwai
- Reapi Uluinasau
- Ana Naimasi
- Ilisapeci Delaiwau
- Younis Bese
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