Our 7s Contenders for Paris Olympics

No one denies the fact that we have talented players in the Fiji men’s rugby sevens training squad for this year’s Olympic Games in Paris, France.

However, it is also a fact that most of these players lack the experience of playing internationally and they don’t have the firepower to give us that much-needed edge. The Argentinean and French forwards have bullied us in the breakdown and dominated the restarts, every time we meet in the World Sevens Series.

Individual play, no control, poor fitness, feeble tackles and lack of creativity have been the order of our game.

It’s frightening when we think of the humiliation that could be inflicted on us by our arch-rivals New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Great Britain.

The Fijians lost the plot after the Rugby World Cup Sevens win in 2022. This was earlier attributed to the loss of several key players to fifteens rugby after the Cape Town triumph.

The Ben Gollings-coached side has not won any tournament in the 2022/2023 HSBC World Sevens Series and added to the list are the two tournaments of the 2023/24 HSBC SVNS.

Next on the list is the Perth Sevens, which is from January 26-28.

The Paris Olympics is from July 26 to August 11, which is six months away.

Gollings has indicated that he is going to include fifteens rugby players (including the overseas-based) into the Olympic squad.

So, let’s take a look at the possible and probable players that could make their way to the Paris Olympics.

PROPS 

Current squad: Barring any injury, lanky Joseva Talacolo should be a definite starter for the Olympics. Veterans Josua Vakurinabili and Sevu Mocenacagi need to work hard on their fitness to lift their performance. Jeremaia Matana has to improve on his strength and flexibility. He also needs more game time and I’m betting on him to get the nod for Paris, if he gets it right.

Rising Josese Batirerega has to watch his discipline and cut out individual play.

Others: Already, it’s confirmed that Gollings is negotiating the release of Iosefo Masi from the Fijian Drua and I won’t be surprised if the list also includes Elia Canakaivata, Kitione Salawa and Drua captain Meli Derenalagi.

In France, there is Flying Fijians backrow Lekima Tagitagivalu and Josua Wini Raisuqe for Castres.

Flying Fijian Lekima Tagitagivalu looks on after their Rugby World Cup 22 - 15 win over Australia.

WING

Current squad: These players Filipe Sauturaga, Ioane Teba and Vuiviawa Naduvalo have been sharing the position. Sauturaga and Naduvalo have been moved to rover and first five respectively while Teba has been prone to injuries.

Naduvalo, despite being used to win possession at the restart, simply needs to work hard on his defence. He has to pin his opponent in one-on-one situation. This is where Sauturaga has the edge, an elusive runner but needs to keep his discipline during pressure situation.

Others: Stade Francais winger, Peniasi Dakuwaqa, could provide us the spark that is needed to burn our opponents at the Olympics. His speed has been turning heads in the Top 14 competition.

Then we’ve the likes of Aminiasi Tuimaba of Pau who is back from injury and Toulon’s Jiuta Wainiqolo.

Wainiqolo was our star winger in the gold medal win at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics while Tuimaba came in as impact player.

Then consideration should also be given on Josua Vici who has been a try scoring machine for US Colomiers in the French ProD2 competition.

The 29-year-old was a non-travelling reserve in Ryan’s squad for the Rio Olympics in 2016.

He was 21 years of age then and had topped the team’s fitness list. If the need be, then they should check out Selestino Ravutaumada, who is believed to be the fastest player in the Drua squad as they prepare for next month’s start of the Super Rugby competition.

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj