By SATISH NARAIN of Digicel
Wednesday 2 October – The 12-member Digicel Fiji 7s side was announced in Suva this afternoon.
Five new players along with a new skipper were announced in the team that will defend the Gold Coast, Australia IRB 7s World Series title at Skilled Park on October 12th and 13th.
A day after arriving in the Fiji Islands, newly appointed Digicel Fiji 7s coach is thrilled to be in the islands and excited about the opportunities to coach Fiji.
“I’m looking forward to a Fijian way of game. I would look at maintaining consistency and build on the exciting brand of rugby that the Fijians are known for,” said Ryan.
“I’m going with high hopes to Gold Coast but I’ll be back to build a good team ahead of the Dubai and South Africa 7s.” added Ryan.
Digicel Fiji chief executive officer, Maurice McCarthy welcomed Ryan at the sponsors headquarters heaping praise on the new coach.
“Against Fiji Ben has won 11 times and lost 10, making him the only other national coach apart from Sir Gordon Tietjens, who has beaten Fiji more times than he has lost,” said McCarthy.
Digicel Fiji has been proud sponsors of the Fiji 7s team since 2006 and have given just close to 10-million dollars in cash sponsorship for the Fiji 7s team.
“As usual I look forward to the boys putting on a dazzling show in Gold Coast – like they have done in 2011 & 2012 – and I look forward to a hat-trick of wins on the sunshine state of Australia. I wish to congratulate the players who have made it into the team. We have a bonus amount on offer for winning in Gold Coast – again – and it will be paid to the team when you return after the tournament,” added McCarthy.
Fiji plays Wales, Canada and Portugal in Pool C.
JiutaTakubu, SakiusaNadruku, KelepiNamoua, VucagoBainitabua, SuniaKubu are the new players who will ake their debut on the world series. Police officer ManueliLaqai is the new captain of the team.
Digicel Fiji 7s team: UlaiyasiLawavou, JiutaTakubu, ManueliLaqai (captain), SamuelaSaqiwa, SakiusaNadruku, KelepiNamoua, VucagoBainitabua, IlaiTinai, SuniaKubu, DonasioRatubuli, SamisoniViriviri, Benito Masilevu (v/captain)
Reserves: WaiseaNacuqu, OseaKolinisau, MesulameDolokoto, Ledua Ratumuri
ABOUT DIGICEL GROUP
After 12 years of operation, Digicel Group Limited is one of the leading global communications providers with over 13 million customers across its 31 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.
Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Cup. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and also sponsors the Vanuatu cricket team. Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Jamaica, Haiti and Papua New Guinea which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.
Digicel is incorporated in Bermuda and its markets comprise: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Nauru, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, St Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos and Vanuatu. Digicel also has coverage in St. Martin and St. Barts in the Caribbean.
Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more information.