Ratu Navula College student Kitione Salawa Jnr will captain the Fijian Under-18 7s team at the World School Sevens, at Pakuranga Rugby Club, Auckland, New Zealand this weekend.

The Namotomoto, Nadi native is not new to the game as his dad and namesake Kitione Salawa Snr was a former national 7s and 15s forward.

“I’m proud and happy to continue with this rugby legacy since it is the first time for me to captain a national team,” he said.

“Any code, I will love to play. I was young when my dad played for Fiji and I grew up watching him play for Gaunavou.”

Coach Masi Saqanavere said it was a tough decision to pick the captain because the players lived up to expectations.

“Salawa is the best candidate in terms of attitude and leadership,” he said.

The Fijians are pooled with Samoan Barbarians, Vanuatu Barbarians and the Two Blues Sydney.

“We know it’s going to be physical upfront but we are hopeful of a favourable outcome at the end of the pool games.”

POOLS

Pool A– New Zealand, Rugby Academy Fiji, National Indigenous Australia, USA (All Americans);

Pool B- Australia (2018 Cup winners), NZ Maori (2018 Cup runner-up), Canadian Misfits, Cook Islands;

Pool C- Fiji, Samoan Barbarians, Two Blues Sydney, Vanuatu Barbarians;

Pool D– NZ Fijians, Tongan Barbarians, Sydney Pasifika, NZ Niue

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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