Two World Cups In A Year For Nagasau
Her playing in two World Cups in a year is mission accomplished for Fijiana 7s captain Rusila Nagasau.
This is a benchmark Nagasau has set to challenge aspiring women rugby players on the home front.
Nagasau captained the Fijiana 7s team to the 7s Rugby World Cup to Cape Town, South Africa last month and this month she is part of the Rooster Chicken Fijiana 15s side participating in World Cup for the first time in New Zealand.
A week after returning from Cape Town, she was called in alongside five 7s players to be part of coach Senirusi Seruvakula’s 32-member squad in camp in Suva.
The women’s World Cup kicks offcoming Saturday October 8 at Eden Park, Auckland.
This is the only tournament left on her list; she won the sevens bronze at the Tokyo Olympic Games and silver at the Birmingham Games.
The other players who have achieved the same are Sesenieli Donu, Lavena Cavuru, Ana Maria Naimasi, and Reijieli Daveua.
“I’m very happy and honoured to be part of this team,” Nagasau said.
“15s WC is my last tick, it has been my aim. I’m lost for words, but it is a dream come true to be in the 15s World Cup.
“It may be a different environment from the 7s but I played 15s before.”
It is even more special for the 35-year-old Vativa, Cakaudrove athlete to play alongside her first cousin Ana Maria Roqica. Their dads are siblings. The duo also played together at the 2020 Olympics sevens.
“I would like to thank my parents who have supported me right from the beginning and all the coaches that I have been through from my clubs and to the national teams,” Nasagau said.
“Playing along Ana is something that I am happy about. It’s not about us but representing our family especially our beautiful country, Fiji.
“Our family is always behind us wherever we go and in whatever tournament we participate in.
“I am happy that I have a sister (first cousin) travelling with me – that’s something that boosts me when I play.”
Nagasau added she has no plans to retire just yet despite ticking off the Women’s Rugby World Cup from her list of goals.
“My focus now is World Cup, I do not know what God’s plan is for me, I will take on any opportunity right now and will only allow God’s plan to prevail in my life.”
Meanwhile, the Fijiana side is in Pool C with the two top ranked teams in the world, England and France. The fourth team is South Africa.
The Fijiana XVs take on England in their first match next Saturday.
Pools
Pool A: New Zealand, Australia, Wales and Scotland
Pool B: Canada, USA, Italy and Japan
Pool C: England, France, South Africa and Fiji.
Story By: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj
