Lepani Tuivanuavou, 28, is a  key player for the Raiwasa Resort Taveuni side.

The lone side from Vanua Levu created upsets in the first leg of the Super 7s Series, at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, over the weekend.

They defeated a star- studded Police Blue side, 21-7, in their final pool match on Friday. They later beat Police White, 19-14, in the  cup quarterfinal before they took down a young Ratu Filise side in the cup semifinal, 26-7.

The Natewa, Cakaudrove, native has been with the side for three years now.

“I started playing 7s with Service from Savusavu before I joined the Cakaudrove development 7s team,” he said.

“Some of my mates with the First Light Taveuni asked me to join them and later teamed up with Raiwasa.

“It’s a good feeling to be playing in the series as selectors will be out to pick players for the national squad.

“It is a great opportunity to be playing among top players and be given a chance to prove yourself.”

Tuivanuavou was also a member of the Naitasiri team in the Skipper Cup Premiership comp last year.

The second five-eighth was one of the regular match-23 before he was injured in the match against Suva.

Despite switching to 7s during the off-season, he hopes to play for Naitasiri.

“Fitness is the main thing,” Tuivanuavou said.

“I think I will try 7s for a few more weeks before I train with Naitasiri.”

He was in Natewa last week, where he joined the team for a few days before the Super 7s Series.

Team captain, Tevita Daugunu said: “We aimed for the semis, but reaching the final is a bonus.”

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