|
|
|
 TEIVOVO.COM – INTERNATIONAL 7s
|
|
Wednesday 29 November 2006
Naqelevuki eyes RWC 2007
By William Tabuya
South African-based Sireli Naqelevuki says he wants to play for Fiji at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.
The Kadavu lad hopes to don either the number 11 or 13 jersey for the FMF Flying Fijians come next September.
“My main aim is to play for Fiji next year in France. I know the squad has probably already been chosen but I will keep training and playing hard, and hopefully it will happen,” Naqelevuki said.
He will feature for the Digicel Fiji 7s team during the first leg of the IRB World 7s Series in Dubai and South Africa, before joining up with Super 14 franchise, the Stormers.
“These might be my last matches for Fiji in 7s for a while, but I will see how it goes. I have played the abbreviated code for a long while now and I have bigger plans – to play 15s for my country.”
The powerhouse Narikoso villager also indicated that he would later like to return for the Hong Kong 7s.
Naqelevuki is aiming at using the Super 14 competition with the Stormers as his preparations for the national trials that will be held next May. He believes that if he tries hard enough, he will make the final 30-member squad.
“I will use my self motivation that has got me this far – nothing is impossible,” he said.
The big, strong runner excelled on his international debut at the 2002 Dubai and South Africa 7s and continued to pose as a formidable force on the IRB 7s circuit.
Deceptive speed for a big man, Naqelevuki played his club rugby for Navy and also represented Suva before going abroad to South Africa. He scored the opening try in the final of the 2002 South Africa 7s with a dash from halfway as Fiji went on to beat New Zealand 24-14.
Although injury prevented him from taking any further part on the 2002-03 IRB 7s, he was selected as captain for the Fiji team to Wellington 7s and Los Angeles 7s in 2004.
He also broke the Kiwis' hearts after setting up a last-second try to Laisiasa Tora when Fiji won their semi-final clash at the 2006 London 7s.
Contracted to the FRU, he played in seven of the eight IRB 7s tournaments when Fiji won the 2005-06 IRB World Series.
His father, Test rep Samu Naqelevuki, was a hard-hitting utility back who passed away in November 2002 only a few days after Sireli had been selected for the Fiji 7s team.
Int'l 7s main page
|
|
