Votua, Ba man Pio Tuwai is ready to don the national jumper in the fourth leg of the World Sevens Series in Hong Kong and Singapore next month.

Tuwai was called to join the Vodafone Fijian 7s squad earlier this week and believes it’s God’s calling for him. The lanky forward was all geared up to join his wife Lily in New Zealand but received a phone call from the 7s management last Friday.

“I wasn’t expecting to be recalled into the team. I was getting ready to go to New Zealand but received the phone call last Friday from the team management asking me to join camp,” he said.

“I believe it was not my plan but God’s plan for me and I’m happy that I’m with the team again. I agreed to join and there’s no looking back for me.”

He believes the important roles him and Isake Katonibau need to do to elevate the forwards performance in the next leg.

“We have not won any tournament from the past legs, there are new players in the team, it is a good team but when they reach the semifinal and final they seem to be under pressure.

“We do not want to change anything but just to boost the performance in the forwards,” he added.

The Ba man assisted Newnet Yasawa Stingers side to book their spot in the second round of elimination after beating Waimanu 17-12 in the first round of elimination yesterday.

“ I’m thankful to be part of the Newnet team as I’m able to improve my game time.”

Meanwhile, Vodafone Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber was impressed with Tuwai’s performance and other national reps representing their respective clubs.

“They did well, I’m glad to see that the work we put in during training and the way I train them is coming out here, that’s good for me.

“They have played the standard of the game expected of them and their contribution in the game is positive,” Baber said.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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