Gareth Baber wants Leone Nakarawa, Semi Radradra and Josua Tuisova to rest

France-based rugby players Leone Nakarawa, Semi Radradra and Josua Tuisova will join the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s squad when they depart for Salt Lake City, Utah, United States on Tuesday.

Head coach Gareth Baber said the three players need to rest and have been told what to expect when they join the team.

“Leone Nakarawa, Semi Radradra and Josua Tuisova will be joining the team on Tuesday,”Baber said.

“The three players have been briefed on what is expected of them. As for Nakarawa , he played three test matches for the  Fiji Airways Flying Fijians and its best that he gets his rest as well as Radradra.”

But Baber was impressed with the performance of the squad during the past three days.

“I was really impressed with the performance of the players,” Baber said.

“We worked hard throughout the World Seven Series on our attack and ways to win the ball and I am glad to see some of the elements among the boys today.”

Yesterday, the squad played a warm-up match against Tabadamu at Uprising Beach Resort.

“Defensively the team need to get a little bit quicker especially in making dominant tackles and getting it right and putting more pressure on the opponent.

“But overall, we think Tabadamu was very good upfront and my boys had been training for the past three days and we are mainly focused on picking up step by step before the RWCS start.”

Baber said it would be tough making the final selection.

“I am looking at developing 18-20 players to play for the RWCS and next season,” Baber added.

“I will be taking 16 players and the reason we are going early are because I want to see the players get familiarized with the environment.

“I’m looking forward to winning the RWCS and everything we have been doing to possibly achieve our goal.

“And the support we have been getting from Fiji Rugby Union have been tremendous and hope to give back by delivering our best at the RWCS.”

The squad will seek traditional blessing (itatau) from President Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote at 10am today at Borron House.

Edited by  Osea Bola

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