THE Suva Secondary Schools Rugby Association began the selection of the Suva team for the northern tour from yesterday at the Suva Grammar Schools grounds.
Association vice president development Elemaca Ravulo said officials were aiming to have five teams, one each in the respective grades (U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-18). He said the tour would help with the development of the sport in age grades in the Northern Division. "We will select 30 players and each grade will play one game each against the northern selection side," Ravulo said.
"We want to help the northern teams by giving them competition and we want this tour to become an annual event."
Round three competition was played yesterday and Ravulo said it would take coaches a few more days to gauge players for each position in the team.
"We had already selected the coaches and they had selected extended squads for each grade.
"The finals squad will be finalised by next week (this week)," he said. Ravulo has also called on the IRB Level Two coaches to attend a meeting at the Dudley High School at 5pm tomorrow. This is to discuss important issues on team selection and on a physio clinic. But we want the coaches to confirm their availabitity to us by tomorrow (today)."
He has also called on all Suva business firms for financial support for this development tour.
The teams leaves for Vanua Levu on July 19 and they play the day after.
The following IRB Level Two coaches have been selected to train their respective teams: U14 - Lorima Natiri, Sikeli Moceiwai, Pita Rabuka, Maciu Rika; U15 - Kemueli Rabonu, Waisake Kalivetau, Eliesa Parker, Saimoni Nabola; U16 - Eremodo Tuivione, Lote Qima, Selemo Were, Simeli Kaitani; U18 - Semi Usakilakeba, Beniamino Soso, Apakuki Delai, Romanu Civo.