Tanono Gets 7s Ticket
Navosa women’s rugby scoring machine Arieta Tanono is now in camp in Sigatoka with the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s training squad.
Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s captain Rusila Nagasau and Lavena Cavuru at the World Harvest Centre Church in Kinoya, Nasinu,
where they were farewelled on July 17, 2022. Photo: Supplied
The squad is preparing for next month’s Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Rugby World Sevens in South Africa on September 9-11 and the start of the 2022/23 HSBC World Sevens Series.
The 19-year-old’s inclusion is no surprise as the Nabuyabitu teen has been running home an average four tries at every Royal Tea Ranadi Cup match this year.
After being sighted with the national women sevens squad, Navosa women’s rugby team manageress Paulina Ratuwara yesterday confirmed that Tanono had gone into camp straight after their 34-5 victory over Rewa on Friday night at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka.
Tanono scored five tries in that win as Navosa hoisted the Ranadi Cup.
“We are grateful that one of our players has joined the national squad especially when our journey to reach the final was not easy,” Ratuwara said.
“We had to head hunt for players in the interior and upper Sigatoka Valley; that was how we found Arieta (Tanono),” she said.
“There is so much untapped talents there, we camped in the villages to gain their confidence.
“Tanono’s inclusion into the national sevens squad is worth the tough journey, weekend camps, hardship challenges, sacrifices and training.
“She has set a benchmark that nothing is impossible from the hills of Nabuyanitu – from the Navosa jersey straight into the much sought after Fijiana uniform.
“She plays fullback, one that just loves to run the ball. She has been scoring four to five tries in every match for Navosa this season.”
The eldest of five siblings Tanono, 19; has been filling her father’s shoes since his absence. She juggled her time with working on their farm, training and playing for Navosa.
“She is the one that her mother relies on in helping feed the family.”
Tanono shared being the eldest of six siblings was not a jovial ride as she needed to balance family life and rugby.
“There are still more players like me where I come from,” Tanono said.
“I just love running, it refreshes my mind.”
Navosa’s win last Friday qualifies them into the ANZ Marama Championship 2023 competition.
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