The 12 Fiji Airways Fijian 7s players to contest this weekend’s 7th leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series in Hong Kong have been named and Head Coach Gareth Baber says the boys are prepared and ready for the battle ahead.
“We know the challenge ahead of us, starting with Kenya tomorrow afternoon. It’s six finals as always and one game at a time, but the boys have prepared well, they’re focussed, fit and ready to give it everything” he said.
Captain Paula Dranisinukula will lead the front line alongside series main stayers Sevuloni Mocenecagi and Josua Vakurinabili with Ratu Meli Derenelagi, Apenisa Cakaubalavu and Isoa Tabu completing the forward pack.
Alasio Naduva and Jerry Tuwai will return to Happy Valley flanked by Hong Kong debutants Filimoni Botitu, Aminiasi Tuimaba,Terio Tamani and returning international Livai Ikanikoda who regains a white jersey for the first time since 2012. Asaeli Tuivoka will be on stand by as 13th man.
Every Fijian fan and player knows the significance of the Hong Kong tournament and with critical series points on the line the stakes couldn’t be higher.
“We know there’s a lot of expectation around this tournament, but pressure is just a perception it’s not real, and it’s up to us to keep our minds on what we have to do to play our way and execute what we want to do as a team on the park.”
Fiji sit in Pool C and meet Kenya at 11.37pm FJT on Friday before taking on Australia at 4.13pm and New Zealand at 8.55pm on Saturday.
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s tournament team for the 2019 Hong Kong 7s.
1. Sevuloni Mocenacagi
2. Josua Vakurinabili
3. Isoa Tabu
4. Paula Dranisinukula (C)
5. Apenisa Cakaubalavu
6. Ratu Meli Derenalagi
7. Filimoni Botitu
8. Livai Ikanikoda
9. Jerry Tuwai
10. Alasio Naduva
11. Aminiasi Tuimaba
12. Terio Tamani
13. Asaeli Tuivoka