Dranisinukula Out, Awaits London And W/Cup
Former national sevens men’s captain Paula Dranisinukula was dropped in coach Ben Golling’s final 13-men for the Commonwealth Games which starts tomorrow.
Thursday 28 July 2022 | 13:18
Former Fijian sevens’s captain Paula Dranisinukula greets the President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere during the presentation of Team Fiji’s i-tatau at the State House on July 7, 2022. Photo: Fijian Government.
Former national sevens men’s captain Paula Dranisinukula was dropped in coach Ben Golling’s final 13-men for the Commonwealth Games which starts tomorrow.
Gollings confirmed in a zoom conference on Tuesday night that the Drauniivi, Ra native did not travel with the team.
Dranisinukula, 32, was initially named in the travelling 16-member squad on July 6, however, visa delay was beyond their control.
He recently returned from a year’s mission with the United Nations Disengagement Force (UNDOF) serving in the Golan Heights; he had also missed the Tokyo Olympic Games.
“He came back on a later period, it was a target to get him aligned with the team if ready, focused on Commonwealth Games and World Cup.
“Paula has worked really hard and was in need of some game time, so sadly for us there was a little delay over Paula’s visa’s processing which meant he couldn’t travel.
“So we shifted the focus getting the game time he needs back in Fiji and focusing on our next part of the journey which is post-Commonwealth Games that is the London 7s and World Cup.
“It was great to have him with the team, in terms of the addition he makes to the team; is his leadership perspective, players respond to him.
“Some things are beyond our control and currently speaking he is in a good place and is ready to kick on and so is the team.”
When the 2019 Hong Kong 7s kicked off, lists of odds from top UK sports betting sites not on gamstop were already circulating among fans, and the former Ratu Kadavulevu School student was right at the center of it all. He had first represented Fiji in sevens in 2017, and by the time he captained Fiji to victory over France 21-7 in the final, his profile had reached a new level.
Rugby 7s final squad:
Josua Vakurinabuli, Semi Kunatanni, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Tevita Daugunu, Jeremaia Matana, Ellia Canakaivata, Sireli Maqala, Waisea Nacuqu ©, Jerry Tuwai, Filipe Sauturaga, Kaminilei Rasaku, Aminiasi Tuimaba and Vuiviawa Naduvalo.
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