Why Rawaca? Gollings Tells Of His Selection
The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) announced its Fiji Airways Fijian and Fijiana 7s travelling squads for the Oceania Rugby Super Sevens in Auckland, New Zealand, this weekend.
Fiji will field two women’s and a men’s teams in the tournament,which also consists of three teams from New Zealand (All Blacks 7s, Black Ferns Ma and Black Ferns Pango), two Australian and Papua New Guinea squads, and a Tongan men’s side.
Fiji 7s head coach Ben Gollings named a strong 16-member squad for the three-day tournament which kicks off on Friday.
“It’s an opportunity for us to get some game time again, try new combinations and develop more as a squad as we brought a few new players to gain some balance,” he said.
Former Fijian 7s winger and 2016 Rio Olympics gold medallist Savenaca Rawaca returns to the squad after a six-year lapse.
The squad also sees the return of dual Olympic gold medallist Jerry Tuwai who missed the last two legs of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series due to sickness.
Gollings maintained his core squad for the Oceania 7s.
Captain Tevita Daugunu leads the forward pack with Elia Canakaivata and Semi Kunatani. In the backs, are Philipo Bukayaro, Waisea Nacuqu, Jerry Tuwai and Kaminieli Rasaku.
Forward Josua Vakurinabili, Napolioni Bolaca, Joseva Talacolo and Sevuloni Mocenacagi have missed out because of injuries.
“The players have been working really hard and it has been a huge week and they have responded very well.”
He said Rawaca has a lot of experience and has been doing well overseas.
“He came back to Fiji and asked for an opportunity and from my perspective, I have always got the door open and it is up to the players how they take up the challenge.”
Gollings said they would use the Oceania tournament as a medium to improve on certain areas.
“We will focus on the key elements such as our combinations, developing new thought processes to the way in which we want to play plus try and polish up on the certain areas of the game.
“I’m sure if we do that we will get the result we want” said Gollings.
Timely competition: Fuli
Fijiana 7s head coach Saiasi Fuli will be taking the Fijiana 7s and the Fijiana Selection teams.
“It’s good timing for us to have some sort of rugby as we head to New Zealand for the Oceania 7s,” he said.
“Our aim this week is to have positive momentum in terms of the different departments of play.
“We will focus on the consistency of our restarts, ball in play and how we manage the game until the last whistle.”
It will be a great opportunity for all our players to play against their Pacific sisters and get the best out of them as we build the right combination for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. “
The teams flew out of the country yesterday as the Oceania tournament will be held from Friday at the Navigation Homes Stadium in Auckland.
Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj
