Fiji 7s Rugby: Tough Call For Baber
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber is working hard to determine the 13 or 14 players he needs to take to Hong Kong and the Singapore tournaments. What has made the Welshman’s task much more difficult is the injury to Waisea Nacuqu, which has left a vacuum on the crucial playmaker’s role.
With rookie Terio Tamani coming in as a sub and switching Vilimoni Botitu’s position has been Baber’s only choice during the later part of the USA 7s and throughout the Canada 7s in Vancouver.
Maestro Waisele Serevi highlighted last week the importance of the playmaker’s role simply highlighting that ‘he’s the one running the show.’
After the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s, Baber was happy with the performance of Ratu Filise’s Amenoni Nasilasila, who is dropped from national duties due to a pending court case. He also mentioned veteran Police Blue captain Livai Ikanikoda, who plays equally well at halfback and first five.
Ikanikoda’s superb performance was because of his combination with playmaker Meli Kurisaru, who had excelled in controlling the pace of the game. Kurisaru, who is a former Nadroga and Suva utility back, is also good with his kicking game and is an accomplished goal-kicker.
His only blemish in the Cup final was a shoulder charge that saw him cop a yellow card, which is something that we cannot afford in the HSBC World Sevens Series.
The Hong Kong and Singapore tournaments are crucial for us to win if we are to claim the 2018/19 World Sevens Series or get a top 4 finish in the Series to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Baber and his coaching staff are going to bite the bullet and make some tough decisions on who is going to be our playmaker and also on the state of our injured players.
They cannot afford to take injured players with them or even those who are not 100 per cent fit.
With the abundance of talents there is no need to press the panic button but for Baber & crew to plan well and most importantly have confidence on our new talents as they are very much capable of rising to the occasion.
On the players they’re going to name today let’s wish them well and offer them our whole hearted support.
MY PICK: Paula Dranisinukula (Captain), Josua Vakurinabili, Meli Derenalagi, Mesu Kunavula, Sevu Mocenacagi, Jerry Tuwai, Terio Tamani, Vilimoni Botitu, Aminiasi Tuimaba, Rusiate Matai, Alosio Naduva, Kalione Nasoko, Napolioni Ratu, Apenisa Cakaubalavu.
NASOKO, SAU FOR EDINBURGH
Edinburgh have completed the signing of Fijian 7s captain Kalione Nasoko on a two-year deal.
The 6ft 3in, 92kg flyer– who was named in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series Dream Team in both 2017 and 2018– will join the club in the summer.
“I’m very excited by the opportunity to join Edinburgh,” Nasoko said.
“I am friends with Viliame Mata and he has said great things about the club – I can’t wait to get started.
“This is a great opportunity for my family, and after many years on the Sevens circuit, I can’t wait for this new challenge in Scotland. Everyone sounds very welcoming and I am looking forward to running out in front of the Edinburgh fans.”
Head coach Richard Cockerill, added: “Kalione is a tremendously exciting player who is obviously captain of the Fiji Sevens side. He’ll predominantly play as a winger, but he has also played at 13.
“Kalione brings something different to our back-three. He gives us a little bit more of an x-factor and, as you see with the good teams around Europe, you need that type of threat.”
Perpignan winger Eroni Sau has also signed for Edinburgh for the next two years.
Nicknamed ‘The Sledgehammer’ due to his ferocious attacking and defensive play, Sau made his Fijian sevens debut in 2017 and an immediate impact on the World Rugby Sevens Series earned him the Rookie of the Season title and a place in the overall Series Dream Team.
Sau made his full international debut in XV-a-side last November, scoring a hat-trick in Fiji’s 68-7 victory over Uruguay.
“After speaking with Richard Cockerill and my friend Viliame Mata, I knew it would be a great move for my rugby career and also for my family. I can’t wait to work hard in the summer to earn a place in the team next year,” Sau said.
Cockerill said anyone who has watched 7s will know Sau. He’s a very strong and powerful runner, he’s tough and very combative.
“A nickname like ‘The Sledgehammer” gives you an idea of what he does with and without the ball, and I’m delighted he’s chosen to join Edinburgh and be part of what we’re building here for next season and beyond.”
Sau initially made his way in rugby league playing for Saru Dragons. After a brief spell playing in the Cook Islands, the winger was encouraged to take up rugby union where he played for Police, Suva and the Fiji Airways Fijian Drua in fifteens rugby.
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj
