The Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team got a much-needed boost in their preparation for the Paris 7s after three players were nominated for the World Rugby Rookie 7s Player of the Year.

Fiji Rugby Union chief executive officer John O’Connor said yesterday it was a proud moment when the names of Meli Derenalagi, Vilimoni Botitu and Aminiasi Tuimaba were announced by World Rugby. The other nominee is Joe Vaili of Samoa

“The team have welcomed the nominations and it has really lifted their preparations for the Paris 7s,” O’Connor said.

He highlighted that the team have settled in well and have started their preparations.

AMOR WELCOMES PROGRESS

Head of England Sevens Simon Amor was proud with the way his young squad fought over the HSBC London Sevens after ending the tournament with a 14-29 loss to Japan.

Five of the squad made their London debuts, with Tom Emery making his first appearance at a World Rugby Sevens Series event and England also lost Tom Bowen on day one to injury.

This weekend in Paris, the young English side are drawn in Pool A where they face the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team, Argentina and Ireland.

“Obviously we’re really disappointed with the way we finished the Japan game, unfortunately for this young group it was one game too far,: Amor said.

“We’d shown such incredible fight and effort right the way through this tournament and I’m really proud of the performances the guys put in – some narrow losses but there are ups and downs of sevens and that is what the game is about.
“For those young guys to come through that is encouraging and exciting for us, we just didn’t get it right in that last one.

“I think we’re up to ten of our squad is out injured at the moment so it’s really stretching us and we’re having to delve into the youngsters.”

Edited by Anasilini Natoga

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