The Fiji Airways Fiji men’s rugby sevens team finished third in the recent Oceania Rugby Sevens Championship in Brisbane, Australia.
This week, they again with the inclusion of new players under coach, Sireli Bobo, play in the Sol2023 Pacific Games in Honiara.
After reviewing the players’ performance, head coach Ben Gollings is expected to name his squad for the opening tournaments of the 2023/24 HSBC SVNS.
First on the calendar, is the Dubai Sevens from December 2-3 at the Sevens Stadium where the Fijians are in Pool C with France, United States of America and Great Britain. Then it is followed by the South Africa Sevens tournament in Cape Town from December 9-10 before the competition resumes early next year.
On the brighter note the return of elusive utility back Kaminieli Rasaku from club rugby in France and Jerry Matana from injury have boosted the national training squad.
However, there is a growing concern on the absence of two-time Olympic Games gold medallists Jerry Tuwai.
Last month, Fiji Rugby Union interim Trustees chairman, Peter Mazey said that Tuwai had been helping out with the Fijiana women’s 7s team for the Oceania Rugby Sevens tournament, which was also a qualifying event for next year’s Olympics. Now with our women’s side qualified, there are still questions on Tuwai’s absence.
The veteran halfback has been actively involved with his boxing promotions and recently was announced the ambassador of one the country’s leading hardware companies.
When Golling’s was appointed national sevens head coach in 2021, Viliame Satala and Tuwai were also announced as assistant coaches. Now, Bobo has been brought in to work with Satala and Gollings with questions on what has become of Tuwai?
Again questions emailed to Mazey and Gollings last week about Tuwai’s absence remained unanswered.
So what is really happening?
Let’s keep our fingers crossed and remain hopeful that Tuwai makes the squad for the Dubai and Cape Town tournaments.
His experience is very much-needed to lead from the front just like he did when they retained the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj