Two of the country’s champion runners are ready to unleash their speed at the Oktoberfest 7s tournament in Munich, Germany, this weekend.

Former Pacific sprint king Banuve Tabakaucoro and Coca-Cola Games 200 and 400 metres senior boys champion Uluiyata Batinisavu were part of the Fijian Barbarians 7s team that jetted out of the country last night.

“I happy to make it on this first pre-build up tournament before the HSBC World Sevens Series in December,” Tabakaucoro said.

“I’m going to try and mix well with the players especially going up against bigger countries like South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. It should be a good learning experience and I‘m raring to get out there.”

Tabaukaoro said despite being the fastest man in the Pacific, he would not be resting on his laurels since it is two different sports altogether.

“It’s like a primary school student entering into the secondary level for the very first time. I’m trying to learn new things from the senior players. They’ve really helped me the past couple of weeks and I’m hoping that from this tournament I can learn a lot and ready to get out there and do what I do best.”

Speaking to SUNsports, Batinisavu said he felt great to be  part of the team.

“I’ve lost a total of 15 kilogrammes in my quest to make the side. It’s like a dream come true, I faced difficulties in training and I’ve to adapt to the sport very fast. The good thing is that I had played in France and it’s easy for me to adapt here.

“In Fiji there is a lot of competition from the local boys which is a tough challenge. I’ve lost a lot of weight from running up the sand dunes every Saturday and in Lawaqa as well. I was on 108kg and now I’m at 93 kilos.”

The Fijian Barbarians 7s team is coached by former Fijian 7s halfback Saiasi Fuli. The Fijians are in Pool C where they face Australia, Chile and Ireland. In Pool A are South Africa, France, Spain and Portugal. England are the top seed in Pool B as they take on Argentina, Germany and Uganda.

Fijian Barbarians: Paula Dranisinukula (c), Josua Kurinabili, Aminoni Nasilasila, Samuela Bale, Uluiyata Batinisavu, Anare Tevita, Apenisa Cakaubalavu, Inia Rokomatu, Banuve Tabakaucoro, Jone Koronisagana, Alasio Naduva, Eroni Vucago

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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