Mereani Rogosau will be flying on a plane for the first time.

This was after she was named in the 13-member squad of the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team to play in the Dubai 7s tournament later in the month.

Fijiana 7s head coach Saiasi Fuli has retained 11 players from the side that won the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games bronze medal. He also has included lanky forward Vani Buleki who travelled with the team to Townsville, Australia for the Oceania tournament but could not make it to the Olympics due to a leg injury. 

Rogosau was the only new name in the Fijiana squad for the first leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series that was announced on Saturday night. 

The 19-year-old halfback hails from Serea in Naitasiri. She attended Sacred Heart College where she played in her school’s rugby team in 2018. She also played for the Suva based- Striders club before joining the Police team and later the Fijiana 7s training squad after the team returned from the Tokyo Olympics.  

“I’m excited to play alongside these bronze medallists,” Rogosau said. 

“Sometimes I’m nervous, if something goes wrong. The training sessions are tough but I am taking it slowly, one thing at a time. 

“I have learnt so many things from them, especially correcting my mistakes on the field. They often encourage me and also taught me a lot of things regarding rugby.”

The eldest of five siblings is the first from her immediate family to don the national jumper.  

“This is something that is unbelievable, it will be my first time on a flight out of the country.”

FIJIAN woMEN’S 7S TEAM FOR DUBAI

• Rusila Nagasau  
• Vasiti Solikoviti
• Vani Buleki
• Sesenieli Donu
• Raijieli Daveua
• Reapi Ulunasau
• Lavena Cavuru
• Ana Maria Naimasi
• Aloesi Nakoci
• Mereani Rogosau
• Laisani Likuceva
• Ana Maria Roqica
• Mereula Toroki

Feedback:  sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj