The Telecom Fijiana has booked a place in the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil after a flawless performance in the Oceania 7s Rugby competition in Auckland, New Zealand over the weekend.

After having convincing wins in their pool games, our women went on to beat Papua New Guinea 38-0 in the semifinals.

But they did not stop the brutal blows as they thrashed Samoa 55-0. Ruslia Nagasau scoring five, Rebecca Tavo scored two with Litia Naiqato, Talica Vodo and Luisa Tisolo scoring one each.

CHRIS CRACKNELL

Coach Chris Cracknell said they worked really hard as is happy to be given the opportunity to work with them.

“They are a great bunch of athletes and their defence was superb. That was an area we have been very hard in camp,” Cracknell said.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity, Ben Ryan and Fiji Rugby have given me the opportunity to come across and be with these girls.

“And it’s been exciting and such a wonderful opportunity to be a part of this squad; the girls have been tremendous this weekend and it’s all about them.”

REBECCA  TAVO

Meanwhile, one player who could not hold back the pure joy and excitement was former Australian womens 7s captain Rebecca Tavo.

“We have been working very hard and we couldn’t wait for this moment to come out here because we have been waiting so patiently,” Tavo said.

“There was nothing that was going to stop us from getting here and doing our job. Qualifying for Rio means so much to the girls and to Fiji.”

Tavo said having the likes of Vodafone Fijian 7s coach Ben Ryan and Chris Cracknell has whipped the girls into shape and set a new path for the sport.

“We definitely have the team spirit, Fiji has the flair and just having Ben and Chris onboard has helped us a lot in our discipline, attitude and professionalism and it’s been quite perfect actually,” she said.

“We have our leaders Ana Roqica and Rusila Nagasau but all 12 of the girls stepped up and did their job and we all have done really well.

“You are looking at a new Fiji now, we have got flair as I have said but we have brand new Fijian generation and more girls waiting back at home to get on this team, we just can’t wait.”

This is the first time Fiji is sending three teams to an Olympic event. The Telecom Fijiana team has qualified along with the Vodafone Fijian 7s team, as well as the Vodafone U23 football team who qualified for the Olympics at the Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea in July.

Feedback:  justine.mannan@fijisun.com.fj