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 TEIVOVO.COM – INTERNATIONAL 7s
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Thursday 25 January 2007
Nadroga trio to debut in Wellington
By William Tabuya
Digicel Fiji 7s player/coach Waisale Serevi will give Nadroga trio Emosi Vucago, Etonia Naba and Simeli Koniferedi their first taste of international 7s rugby at the Wellington and San Diego IRB tournaments next month.
The three feature in Serevi's 12-man squad named to defend the Wellington 7s on 2-3 February before heading to the San Diego tournament a week later.
"Emosi is a good defender who is able to find gaps,” Serevi said. “He’s got a good pass and we need a specialist halfback. He will be a player to watch.”
Nadroga looseman Naba came back strongly after missing out on the first leg of the 2006-07 IRB World 7s Series.
“Naba is fitter than he has ever been. He has shown lots of commitment especially during the BP 7s Series Finals.”
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Digicel Fiji 7s players joined local media for a lunch at Rugby House in Suva on Thursday... Etonia Naba, Semisi Naevo, Simeli Koniferedi and William Ryder tuck in
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”Also, he defended strongly for the Fiji 7s side in our two matches against the Fiji Bati,” the coach said.
“And we all have seen what Koniferedi did in 15s for Nadroga. He is a very good runner with strong defence. He is a utility back in 15s and rover in 7s.”
Serevi feels that he has a stronger blend of players compared to the team that lost to New Zealand in the Dubai and George semi-finals.
”We have Semisi Naevo back in the side and he has proven to be fitter and in better shape than some of the boys in camp.”
“Simione Saravanua and Nasoni Roko are strong runners and finishers while Mosese Volavola, Mesake Davu and Semisi Naevo provide good cover.”
However, Serevi said it was not an easy task naming the squad: “The players were chosen based on their positions. We had to let Serevi Kubu go because Naevo has returned.”
Serevi is optimistic that the Digicel Fiji 7s side will make a comeback in Wellington.
“We know why we lost in Dubai and George and we have learnt from it. I told the boys to work together; we practised with the Fiji Bati and Police and our defence held.”
“We will focus on defence and possession, especially winning the re-starts.”
Serevi has made seven changes to the side that featured in Dubai and George.
“From the first leg of the Series, we noticed that we needed to make some changes. That’s why there are some new players for Wellington.”
The side leaves for Wellington on Monday.
Digicel Fiji 7s squad to Wellington and San Diego:
Emosi Vucago (Nadroga), Etonia Naba (Nadroga), Lepani Nabuliwaqa (Suva), Mesake Davu (Nadroga), Mosese Volavola (Nadroga), Nasoni Roko (Naitasiri), Semisi Naevo (NEC, Japan), Setefano Cakau (Namosi), Simeli Koniferedi (Nadroga), Simione Saravanua (NZ), Waisale Serevi (Suva), William Ryder (Bua)
Officials:
Opetaia Ravai (Manager)
Josateki Savou (Coach)
Epeli Lagiloa (Trainer)
Venasio Ramabuki (Physio)
Simione Kuruvoli (Masseur)
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