Fiji Airways Fijian 7s playmaker Vatemo Ravouvou, winger Waisea Nacuqu and prop Kalione Nasoko have been medically cleared.

This was confirmed to SUNsports yesterday by head coach Gareth Baber who said the players are now training and are in contention for selection to the third round of the 2017/18 World Sevens Series.

The next tournaments are the USA Sevens in Las Vegas on March 2-4 followed by the Vancouver Sevens in Canada on March 10-11.

“Vatemo Ravouvou, Waisea Nacuqu and Kalione Nasoko picked up niggling injuries in Hamilton but they have been cleared,” Baber said.

“We have had some scrimmaging games during the week so the players are able to get back and play some games.”

The Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team are in Pool A where they face Kenya, France and Russia. In Pool B, South Africa will play England, Canada and Wales.

Australia, winners of the Sydney Sevens are drawn in Pool C along with Samoa, USA and Spain. New Zealand will face Scotland, Argentina and Uruguay in Pool D.

With the remaining six tournaments in the Series, Commonwealth Games in April and the Sevens Rugby World Cup in San Francisco on July 20-22, Baber has set-up a strategy plan, which he hopes will be successful.

“The series is always tough and as we go ahead we want the players to be fit to make sure that we play the game that we intend to play.

“We’re working on our fitness level and also other areas that we will be looking at that needs immediate attention.”

Baber said he would name his final travelling team in the next few days as they will depart for Las Vegas next Wednesday.

Selection will be not be easy with the inclusion of Sakoe Railoa and Isake Katonibau in the extended squad.

“When we get there we will look for oppositions to play against and also acclimatise to the conditions there.”

The Fijian 7s team are now in third spot on the Series standing with 62 points as South Africa  lead the table with 77. New Zealand are in second place with 69.

Edited by Leone  Cabenatabua

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