TWO new reps will make their debut for the Fiji 7s team at the third leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
It’s been a while since a set of brothers have been selected in the national 7s side and history is about to be recreated when lanky forward Isoa Tabu joins his sibling – the fiery Sevuloni Mocenacagi for the next two tournaments in the series.
Some of the renowned rugby brothers that have featured in previous Fiji 7s teams included the Rauluni brothers (the late Meli, Vili and Vesi) and also Pauliasi Tabulutu and Alivereti Dere.
Isoa replaces Apenisa Cakaubalavu who will tie the knot this Saturday at Lami.
Fiji 7s head coach Gareth Baber has also pencilled former high school sprint king Uluiyata Batinisavu to cover for speedster Alasio Naduva.
Baber said the new reps had worked hard to secure their spots in the final 14-member team. “Isoa Tabu (Yamacia) and Asaeli Tuivoka (Corrections) have fought their way into the touring party as the only key changes to the squad that contested the Hamilton and Sydney series,” said Baber.
The duo will join the 12 players that featured at the Hamilton and Sydney 7s in Mesulame Kunavula, Kalione Nasoko, Sevu Mocenacagi, Josua Vakurinabili, Ratu Meli Derenelagi, Paula Dranisinukula, Jerry Tuwai, Waisea Nacuqu, Teri Tamani, Vilimoni Botitu, Aminiasi Tuimaba and Alasio Naduva.
Fiji Rugby Union CEO John O’Connor said Naduva’s visa status remains unclear despite being approved to travel for the Rugby 7s World Cup in San Francisco and the Las Vegas 7s in 2019.
“We had applied early for the player’s visa well prior to the Hamilton 7s and despite Naduva being allowed to travel last year to Las Vegas and San Francisco, there has still been no outcome to his visa application,” he said.
“We are still very hopeful that we will receive feedback to his visa application at the earliest to allow him to join the team as we are required by WR and USA Rugby to field our strongest possible team.
“In case Naduva’s visa application is delayed, Uluiyata Batinisavu is on standby to travel with the team,” he said.
Fiji will meet Scotland, Australia and Wales in Las Vegas, before competing at the Vancouver 7s.
