NADROGA-based Daveta rugby team will miss the services of four key players when they take part in the 2013 Hottest 7s in Australia this weekend.
Daveta team manager Paula Biu said four players from the team that played in the tournament last year had been drafted into the Digicel 7s training squad and would not travel with the team to Darwin.
The four are forwards Ulaiasi Lawavou and Peni Ravai and backs Samisoni Viriviri and Sakiusa Gavidi.
"We give our support to our players that have been selected for national duties and this also gives others the opportunity to come in and show what they have."
But Biu is confident the players who have been called in as replacements will give their best shot at the two-day tournament.
"We have named our 12-member team and all players are looking forward to give their best in the tournament," Biu said.
"We want to finish in a better position than we did last year."
Daveta lost to Borneo Eagles in the final last year.
"The team has been working hard on their fitness and combination in the past few weeks.
"We know the tournament will be tougher compared to last year especially as more big teams are coming to play every year."
Key players in the team are former Digicel 7s reps Jiuta Lutumailagi and Apisai Domolailai.
A new face in the tournament this year is the Auckland team which should include some players who represented New Zealand in last year's IRB 7s series.
Former Digicel 7s rep Apisai Nayabo is also expected to play in the tournament and has been named in the Iconz side from New Zealand.
Biu said the team would leave for Australia tomorrow.
Daveta will play three games on the opening day against Casuana Cougars, Tsunami Wavewearers and ACT Brumbies.