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Fiji 7s coach struck down with bacterial infection as squad named
Fiji’s bid to recapture the HSBC World Rugby Sevens title has received a major boost with Waisea Nacuqu, who broke his collar bone 10 weeks ago, being declared fit for the final two legs in London and Paris.
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However, the squad will leave for Europe on Wednesday without head coach Gareth Baber who has a bacterial infection and is due to link up with the squad at the weekend with his departure form Fiji expected to be on Friday.
Nacuqu was injured at the Las Vegas Sevens event at the start of March and has returned ahead of schedule to give head coach Baber another attacking threat to add to his armoury as Fiji attempt to overhaul Series leaders USA who have a three point advantage over the reigning Olympic champions heading into the London leg starting on May 25. Baber is confident his men have learnt the painful lessons of 12 months ago when they were denied the title by South Africa in Paris.
Baber said: “We know the challenge ahead of us. We have a mission going into the next two tournaments and I believe the players named in the squad are ready to deliver at the London 7s next weekend. We know there’s a lot of expectation around this tournament, but pressure is just a perception, it’s not real, and it’s up to us to keep our minds on what we have to do to play our way and execute what we want to do as a team on the park.”
Captain Paula Dranisinukula will lead a squad that includes play-maker Jerry Tuwai who has recovered from a hamstring injury suffered in the Singapore tournament. The squad also includes Sevuloni Mocenecagi, Josua Vakurinabili , Ratu Meli Derenelagi, Livai Ikanikoda and Napolioni Ratu following a fifth successive title in Hong Kong and strong showing at the Singapore 7s last month. Fiji have drawn in a pool with Kenya, France and Samoa for the London Sevens.
Fiji Sevens squad for London and Paris.
Sevuloni Mocenacagi
Josua Vakurinabili
Isoa Tabu
Paula Dranisinukula (C)
Apenisa Cakaubalavu
Ratu Meli Derenalagi
Filimoni Botitu
Livai Ikanikoda
Jerry Tuwai
Alasio Naduva
Aminiasi Tuimaba
Waisea Nacuqu
Napolioni Ratu
Asaeli Tuivoka
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
7 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to commentsWell done guys both teams will be ready to play knockout rugby.
1 Go to comments