OFF-LOAD king Leone Nakarawa has some unfinished business with the Fiji Airways Fiji 7s team which inspired him to make his return to the abbreviated code in the Rugby World Cup Sevens.
The Rio Olympics Fiji 7s gold medallist said he would use this world cup to make amends for the 2013 rugby 7s world cup semi-final loss to New Zealand.
Nakarawa said he would give his best shot to help his teammates bring back the Melrose Cup to Fiji.
He said the coveted trophy had evaded Fiji for the past 18 years and had set his target to end the world cup drought.
“I represented Fiji at the 2013 world cup in Russia but we didn’t bring anything home,” Nakarawa told this newspaper.
“I made myself a promise to make it to the next world cup and I am honoured to be named for the tour. We last won the world cup in 2005 and we will do our best to bring back the trophy which will require hard work and sacrifices.
“It is a huge responsibility for us and we need to work hard.” Nakarawa said his biggest battle was to convince head coach Gareth Baber for a spot in the final 12-member team. “The new boys in the team have been working hard and playing well and we are all fighting for a spot in the final team. “I will have to work really hard during the two weeks of training to be selected in the final 12-member team.”
Nakarawa and Jasa Veremalua are the two survivors from the last world cup.
Meanwhile, the side has settled well in Utah where they will spend two weeks of training before Baber names his 12 players to fly the Fiji flag at the world cup.
The side also received a huge boost with the donation of playing and recovery kits from Southbay Davui upon their arrival in the States.
