Vodafone Fijian 7s halfback Seremaia  Tuwai will miss the Oceania 7s next week.

Tuwai is currently with the Daveta team who will take part in the Singapore 7s this weekend. He will arrive into the country on Wednesday.

Interim coach Nacanieli Cawanibuka said Tuwai’s absence in the team will provide an opportunity for the new players to step up.

“I guess with Tuwai not being in the team it will give the new boys a chance to prove themselves,” Cawanibuka said.

“If they want to show us that they deserve to be in the squad, now is their chance so they will really need to step up.”

Cawanibuka is pleased with the new players and is looking forward to the Oceania 7s and how the players will perform.

“Working with the new boys has been really good, they have been learning and are progressing a lot,” he said.

“The Oceania 7s is part of the journey to the World Sevens Series and every player will need to prove themselves not only on the field but during training as well to be considered for the World Series.”

The Oceania 7s will be held next week Friday and Saturday at the ANZ Stadium, Suva.