Police Have Players To Fill Positions: Sotia
Defending Fun Flavour Fiji Rugby Super Sevens Series champions Police Blue will not depend on their national reps as they prepare for the first leg of the Fun Flavour Seven Series.
Police Blue is in Pool A with Ratu Filise, Uluinakau and new comers Devo Babaas.
Police Blue’s playmaker Waisea Nacuqu, Joseva Talacolo and Filipe Suguturaga are currently training with the national training squad preparing for the HSBC Malaga 7s tournament.
Team manager Seremaia Sotia said: “There will be a few changes in both the Police White and Blue teams heading into the first leg of the series.”
“There are currently three of our players in the national squad, Josefa Talacolo, Waisea Nacuqu and Filipe Sauturaga.
“We have replacement players from our development squad to fill the spaces.
“We have been advised that once the final team for Spain is selected they will march to camp.
“We don’t have any plans to wait for the announcement because we have players to replace them.
“These are young unknown players who came through the academy, some of them played in the U20’s.
“We tested these players when we played at the Wairiki 7s tournament; and they have proved themselves as top contenders.
“They have been performing consistently and as defending champions, it’s not easy to go in and defend the title.
“Our plans for the season is to remain consistent and continue to lift our good performance.
“We have the experience of Keponi Paul and Suliasi Volivoli to lead from the front.”
Sotia knows the strengths of the other three teams in Pool A.
They have played against Ratu Filise, Uluinakau and Devo and understand how they play.
According to Sotia Police White are in the pool of death – Pool B with Raiwasa Taveuni, Fire and Nawaka.
“Senior players like Apisalome Waqatabu, Ifireimi Tovilevu and Meli Kuruisaru will not be playing as they need to make way for some four new and development players from the U23,” Sotia said.
The other pools are Pool C: Army, Wardens, Eastern Saints and Dominion Brothers; Pool D: LAR Barbarians, Tabadamu, Wadigi Salvo and Stallions.
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