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 TEIVOVO.COM – IRB WORLD 7s SERIES
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Thursday 18 January 2007
Five players set to make Fiji 7s debut
By William Tabuya
Five new players could make their international 7s debuts when the Fiji Rugby Union announces the 12-member squad for the Wellington and San Diego tournaments.
Nadroga trio Emosi Vucago, Etonia Naba, Simeli Koniferedi; Tavua captain Epeli Vuniwaqa and Eastern Suburb’s Serevi Kubu have forced their way into the 14-man squad named by the FRU. The squad was reduced from the 26 players that took part in the recent three-day camp.
“We want players who are able to do the job when needed and the five new boys proved that,” assistant Digicel Fiji 7s coach Josateki Savou said.
“Vuniwaqa, Kubu and Naba are strong, aggressive forwards and Koniferedi and Vucago can both play as playmaker.”
FRU CEO Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua confirmed that Vucago has been released by the High Performance Unit: “Vucago is in the HPU academy but he is not contracted by the FRU, so he can play for the 7s team if he wishes to.”
Digicel Fiji 7s manager, Opetaia Ravai, made Vucago’s intentions known.
“Vucago has decided to play for the Fiji 7s team in Wellington and San Diego. He is a good player and he has a lot to offer in the abbreviated code.”
Six players that went to the first leg of the 2006-07 IRB World 7s Series were not included in the new squad list. Missing the cut were Nadi flanker Amenasi Nava, Namosi centre Epeli Dranivasa, Nadroga wing Napolioni Nalaga, Nadroga fullback Neumi Nanuku, Australia-based Senirusi Rauqe and Nadi wing Vima Tuidraki.
Nanuku is recovering from a knee injury while Dranivasa's arm injury has been giving him problems. Former U21 winger Nalaga has opted to commit to his new club in France.
Savou confirmed that Dranivasa is not in the squad because of injury.
"Dranivasa could have been in the squad but we are not willing to take any risks with his arm, which has not properly healed yet."
The squad heads into camp on Sunday at the Peninsula Hotel in Suva.
Digicel Fiji 7s squad for Wellington and San Diego:
Emosi Vucago (Nadroga), Epeli Vuniwaqa (Tavua), Etonia Naba (Nadroga), Lepani Nabuliwaqa (Suva), Mesake Davu (Nadroga), Mosese Volavola (Nadroga), Nasoni Roko (Naitasiri), Semisi Naevo (NEC, Japan), Serevi Kubu (Naitasiri), Setefano Cakau (Namosi), Simeli Koniferedi (Nadroga), Simione Saravanua (NZ), Waisale Serevi (Suva), William Ryder (Bua)
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