FORMER Flying Fijian and national sevens rep Vilimoni Delasau is the man behind the Yamacia rugby side at the Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s tournament that starts in Nadi today.
The mesmerising winger was officially appointed as coach earlier this week after another former national winger, Aisea Tuilevu couldn't step up because of commitments.
The duo — Tuilevu as coach and Delasau as technical advisor — led the team to the quarter-final stages of the Uprising Fiji International 7s tournament last month.
This weekend, the Grand Melanesian-sponsored side is aiming for similar, if not better, results using home grown talent.
Team manager David Dakuitoga said the senior players had moved on and this had opened doors for the younger players to show their talent to Fiji.
"Firstly, Aisea Tuilevu is busy with personal commitments so Vilimoni Delasau has been officially appointed as coach for the rest of the season," he said.
"Secondly, Botitu has gone back to the US, Asaeli Boko is now with Westfield Barbarians and Jerry Tuilevu is injured so this makes way for our home grown talents from Navosa to take the field."
He said the side built a reputation and rattled some major teams when they qualified for the quarters at the Uprising 7s and they would like to live up to that reputation.
"We would like to maintain our reputation as a consistent team and the boys are aware of that,
Dakuitoga said.
"They have prepared up to standard despite the rain last week and the boys know what is required of them on the field."
Drawn in pool 14 with Nawaka White, Tabernacle and Navatulevu Crusaders, Dakuitoga said they would not underestimate any team in the tournament.
"We will treat our first game like the final and we will treat all teams as if they are big teams. We respect all the teams and we look forward to the matches," he said.
The tournament will be played at Prince Charles Park today and tomorrow.