Ana Maria Roqica hopes to make the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team again in the World Rugby Women Sevens Series which starts in Glendale, Colorado, U.S.A on October 20-21.

The Vativa, Wailevu, Cakaudrove native, who has been the regular captain of the team since 2011, attended the trials at the University of the South Pacific ground yesterday under interim coach Ro Alivereti Doviverata.

Roqica was happy with the turnout and reiterated that Fijiana need the support of the  people.

“This is an open trial and they might choose a new team,” she said.

“I still want to represent Fiji. I am 30 and I am hoping that I can play again.

“There are a lot of talented players out there and I do not know whether I’ll be able to wear the jersey again.  But the team needs the support of Fijians.“

Meanwhile, the Fiji Airways Fijiana XVs trial is on today at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

Two teams have been selected and are going to play as the curtain raiser to Fiji Airways Fijian Drua showdown against Brisbane City.

Interested players are urged to contact Paulini Tamatasasa on 8903866 or Vela Naucukidi on 8311018.

CASLICK FUTURE AUSSIE CAPTAIN

Australian women sevens coach John Manenti said Charlotte Caslick shapes as a future captain after the in-demand star ended speculation about her future by signing through to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

According to rugby.com.au, Caslick had been linked with a switch to rugby league in recent months but the 23-year-old rejected interest of NRLW clubs and inked a new contract with Aussie 7s through to the end of 2020.

Her signing comes after Emilee Cherry and Vani Pelite also recently re-committed through to Tokyo, and more big names are expected to follow.

Though league and WAFL get plenty of hype and publicity, in reality, the Australian womens sevens program remains far more appealing than both to the likes of Caslick and Cherry; both on financial and high-performance terms.

“The friendships I have created with them would be really hard to lose,” Caslick said.

“On that front it was super easy. I’ve also got so many more things I want to achieve with rugby sevens and goals that I really want to tick off, so I don’t think I’m finished with what I want to achieve here and that made my decision pretty easy.

“Rugby sevens is still that pinnacle of women’s contact sport … and the setup for the moment is too good to pass up on.”

FAST FOUR FOR BLACK FERNS

The Black Ferns Sevens team will play in a tournament in New Zealand for the first time, when they take the field at the same time as the men’s event in Hamilton next year.

New Zealand Rugby on Tuesday announced a ‘Fast Four’ exhibition event, which will see the hosts play England, France and China during the men’s World Rugby Sevens Series at FMG Stadium Waikato on January 26-27, 2019

According to Rugby Heaven Black Ferns Sevens stars Sarah Goss, Portia Woodman and Kelly Brazier unveiled the news at Hamilton Girls High School, which has a strong rugby reputation and where deputy head girl and sports captain Jazmin Hotham is already a nationally contracted sevens player.

While the tournament won’t be part of the women’s World Series, this invitational event is a start in getting to that point, with Woodman, in particular, having been vocal earlier this year in her calls for a female equivalent to the male one.

– Edited by Osea Bola

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