Waisea Nacuqu back at work.
Good news for Fiji Rugby fans, as the ever smiling and nippy half-back Waisea Nacuqu could force his way into the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team for the final leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series in London and Paris later this month.
The Ba native who was ruled out of the season with a broken collarbone at the Las Vegas 7s looked healthy in training and was taking hits during the teams run at Albert Park.
Fijian 7s Coach Gareth Baber said alongside Nacuqu, off load king Kalione Nasoko is also back in training with the team.
Baber said “They are back in training with us. Obviously they are into early days of their rehabilitation in terms of their fitness level and their progress.
It’s important that we don’t rush players back. They need to work hard and earn that jersey again.”
Baber added that Jerry Tuwai has also shown positive signs after he sustained a hamstring at the Singapore 7s last month.
“They are recovering and getting there slowly, jerry is with us while Livai is in Vanuatu at the moment to get his French visa. It’s important Jerry carries on rehab with the medical team and we will put them back into training as soon as we can.”
Other players looking sharp at the start of camp were speedster Alasio Naduva, Aminiasi Tuimaba, Apenisa Cakaubalavu, Terio Tamani and Mesulame Kunavula.
Baber said “The players are aware of what they want to achieve over the next five to six weeks. When you look at that first tournament its critical we get to the levels of performance we showed in Hong Kong and at times in Singapore.”
Baber added the team are always looking to improve particulary when you consider the age and experience of his chargers.
“If you look at that tournament in Singapore and the basic matchs. We were the 13th most experienced team in the whole competition.
When you lose Jerry Tuwai, you lose 40 odd caps that we have got. One of the big things we pride ourselves on is the huge role we’ve played in developing these players as quick as possible.”
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s side has a possibility of winning the HSBC World Rugby series title as they sit only three points behind leaders USA on the standing.
Fiji has 143 points and needs to finish above USA in both legs to win the series title.
“We stole some points off USA coming out of Hong Kong and Singapore. Now we need to capitalize on that going into the last two tournaments. We also know that every other team is playing for something being in the top four sport or obviously just a finish at winning the World Series itself.”
Pool A sees reigning series champions South Africa face Argentina, Canada and Japan.
In Pool B Fiji will begin the defence of their London title against Samoa, France and Kenya.
Hosts England are drawn with New Zealand, Scotland and Ireland in Pool C, while current series leaders USA will take on Australia, Spain and Wales in Pool D.
Fiji faces Kenya in its first pool match at 9.36pm {FJT} on Saturday the 25th of May then plays France at 12.42am {FJT} the following day before meeting Samoa in its final Pool C match at 3.48am {FJT}.