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 TEIVOVO.COM – INTERNATIONAL 7s
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Thursday 23 November 2006
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What can we expect from Nalaga?
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Nalaga ready to dance
By William Tabuya
Nadroga wing Napolioni Nalaga dedicated his selection into the Digicel Fiji 7s squad for Dubai to his father and former Test rep, Kavekini Nalaga.
“My father was a wing and he helped me a lot to get where I am today," the young Nalaga said. "He would give me tips that have become very useful for me on the pitch."
The Nasama villager is the youngest player in the squad named by Waisale Serevi for the first leg of the 2006-07 IRB World 7s Series.
The 20-year old was selected ahead of seasoned players like Nadi’s Mesake Davu and Nadroga’s Timoci Volavola and Etonia Naba.
A former Hotbread U18 star who top scored with seven tries in three games in the 2004 FORU RWC qualifiers, Nalaga has long had an eye on playing for the national 7s side.
“I have always wanted to play for Fiji, especially 7s. For a long while now I have been training hard to don the white jersey.”
The soft spoken wing believes he has what it takes to help Fiji retain the series title for a second year, but indicated that he will take each game at a time: “I will play my very best to keep the series in Fiji. I want to take each game as it comes.”
In 2004, an 18-year-old Nalaga featured on the wing for Lelean in the U19 Secondary schools Deans final 6-6 draw with rivals QVS.
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Good luck... President Ratu Josefa Iloilo after giving his blessings to Nalaga and some of his team-mates
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The talented speedster was then moved to outside centre for this year's U21 World Championships, which suited Nalaga's solid frame. Fiji went on to defeat Scotland 21-19 and claim the ninth spot in the world rankings.
Nalaga later forced his way into the Nadroga 1st XV where he improved in every game, and helped his province win both the Sanyo Cup and Sullivan-Farebrother Trophy.
The Digicel Fiji 7s 12-man squad jets out of the country on Monday for the Dubai and George tournaments.
Int'l 7s main page
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