'7s selection is for my family': Momo

Akuila Momo and Napolioni Bolaca were the last minute inclusions into the Fiji Airways Fiji men’s rugby sevens team that flew out of the country to play in this weekend’s Hong Kong Sevens.

The duo were called in to replace the injured Kaminieli Rasaku and Terio Tamani.

Momo who hails from Nalotawa in Ba is looking forward to making his debut in the HSBC SVNS Series.

He started his sporting career playing football and only took up rugby when he attended Ratu Navula College in Nadi.

Despite not being selected during the Vodafone Deans Trophy trials, Momo never gave up and switched to rugby league where he played in the Under-18 team.

“I guess from there I realised that I did have a talent for rugby, and it encouraged me to keep pursuing it,” Momo told FRU Media..

It was at this year’s Coral Coast Sevens tournament where Momo’s talent was recognised by the national selectors.

“Transitioning from club rugby to national training was very new to me.

“It took a bit of adjusting especially with discipline and diet but I am coping very well.”

Akuila Momo.

Momo said the call for him to replace Rasaku came as a surprise because he wasn’t expecting any last-minute changes

“My family is happy and that is what makes me happy.

“My parents have sacrificed a lot for me, paying my bus fare to and from training. “They were always supporting me financially, this is their answered prayer.”

Fiji is in a tough pool where they face Australia, Canada, and France.

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