PM, Seruiratu Inspire Players
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s visit to the Caucau rugby side, inspired them to upset Uluinakau Babaas 12-10 in their pool clash of the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s tournament at the ANZ Stadium, Suva, yesterday.
The Buca Bay- based club from Cakaudrove, is the home of double Olympic Games gold medallist and Fiji Airways Fijian men’s 7s assistant coach Jerry Tuwai.
Speaking to SUNsports, coach, Peni Baleira said they made it to Suva through the support of the vanua.
“Our players came from Karoko, Kanakana and nearby villages in the Buca Bay area. We camped at Jerry’s village in Buca, Tukavesi,” he said.
Baleira said when they arrived in Suva, they were visited by Bainimarama, Minister for Defence Inia Seruiratu, Tuwai and 2016 Olympic Games gold medallist, Samisoni Viriviri.
“This really touched the boys because these people were able to put aside their busy schedule to visit them.”
He also indicated their players are yaqona and dalo farmers.
“One of our players had played for Marist Brothers High School as a first five eight in 2019 and he also represented the Fiji Secondary Schools Under-18 team. He has dropped out of school and is now in the village.
“We’re here to expose these young players so they know what it is like to play in major 7s tournaments like this.
“We’ve beaten Uluinakau and they are very excited and now I’ve to bring them down to earth before our next game,” Baleira added.
He said they had trained together for two months and managed to secure funds to get to Suva.
“To come from the island to Suva, is not easy.
“We are now in Suva, so the onus is on the players to perform and show what they have got.” In their second game, Caucau upset Saunaka 12-5.
Fiji Airways Fijian Men’s 7s head coach Ben Gollings with assistant coach Viliame Satala behind him during the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s at the ANZ Stadium, Suva, on March 25, 2022. Photo: Leon Lord.
Keep building up: Gollings
Fiji Airways Fijian men’s 7s coach, Ben Gollings, said the challenge for them is to keep building up.
The Fijian Barbarians thrashed Army Red 31-0 while the All Blacks 7s team walloped Marist 36-0.
“They are here to play,” Gollings said of the New Zealand side.
“They are a good team and we hope to give them a good go when we meet.”
Feedbacks: leon.lord@fijisun.com.fj
