Tireless Vodafone Fijian Sevens forward Jasa Veremalua took the top spot in the World Rugby Performance Tracker Table of the 2016 Las Vegas Sevens tournament.

The Korotogo native from Nadroga topped the table with 55 points after he recorded the following statistics:

n 18 tackles

n 7 breaks

n 9 off-loads

n  21 ball carries

With these impressive statistics, Veremalua played an instrumental role in the side as they dumped USA 21-14 in the semifinal before scoring a comeback 21-15 win against Australia in the final.

Tough New Zealand captain Tim Mickkelson was in second place with a total of 52 points followed by team mate Sam Dickson with 43. Veremalua was lethal in defence and attack and had indicated in an earlier interview that his aim was to work hard and represent his country at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August.

“This is the Olympic year and the world is watching us, but we are a special bunch of boys coached by Ben Ryan. I have to prove myself because there are a lot of players fighting for a spot in the team,” Veremalua said.

RAVOUVOU STILL TOP POINTS SCORER

Elusive playmaker Vatemo Ravouvou has scored an outstanding lead in the 2015/16 World Sevens Series Top Points Scorer. The Saunka native from Nadi has scored 242 points while South African speed merchant Seabelo Senatla is in second position with 180.

Ravouvou also leads the Most Conversions table with 86 while USA skipper Madison Hughes is in second place with 59.

COOPER GRACIOUS IN DEFEAT

Australia’s playmaker Quade Cooper congratulated the Fijian team on twitter.

He tweeted; “Congrats to our Fiji brothers for the victory at the @USASevensRugby . I had so much fun & learnt so much from both my teammates and   opposition,” Cooper said.

VANCOUVER NEXT

The Vodafone Fijian 7s team departed Las Vegas for Vancouver yesterday. Despite the injury worry, the players looked relaxed as they headed for another exciting weekend of sevens rugby.  The Fijians are in a tough pool A as they face arch rivals Samoa, giant killers Kenya and the unpredictable Portugal in Vancouver, Canada this weekend.

Programme: Fiji play Samoa in the first game on Sunday 6:14am, then take on Portugal at 9:50am and Kenya at 2pm.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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