Fiji name strong squad for World Games

Fiji name strong squad for World Games

(IRB.COM) Wednesday 8 July 2009

Iliesa Tanivula has named a 15-man squad brimming with seasoned IRB Sevens World Series campaigners to defend Fiji’s World Games title in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei, later this month.

Emosi Vucago – one of the nominees for IRB Sevens Player of the Year 2009 Award that was ultimately won by England captain Ollie Phillips – is one who falls into this category having been Fiji's co-captain in the 2008/09 Series.

His fellow co-captain Vereniki Goneva was to have been heading into camp with the squad on Wednesday but has elected to focus on 15-a-side rugby and so Tanivula has a difficult decision to make on who will replace such a key player.

Seremaia Burotu, Pio Tuwai, Nasoni Roko and Peni Rokodiva also bring experience to the squad with Roko the fourth highest try scorer in IRB Sevens World Series history with 114, Tuwai a rangy, fast forward in the traditional Fijian mould and the hugely talented Rokodiva returning from injury to join mainstay Burotu.

Fiji were crowned World Games champions in the German city of Duisburg four years ago – only months after winning a second Rugby World Cup Sevens title – when Sevens maestro Waisale Serevi scored to seal a 31-26 victory over South Africa in a final that had seemed destined for extra time.

The Rugby Sevens competition at the World Games 2009 will take place on 24-25 July with Fiji and South Africa – the newly crowned IRB Sevens World Series champions – joined by 2005 bronze medallists Argentina, Portugal, USA, Japan, Hong Kong and the hosts.

The tournament is held under the auspices of the International World Games Association (IWGA), comprising the 32 International Sports Federations governing sports recognised by the IOC but not in the Olympic Games.

The Games are held under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Sevens is one of the seven sports currently being considered for inclusion in the 2016 Olympic Games - the other sports are softball, baseball, karate, golf, squash and roller sports.

Fiji training squad:

Vereniki Goneva, Seremaia Burotu, Suliasi Ramasima, Watisoni Votu, Niumaia Cakacaka, Nasoni Roko, Emosi Vucago, Jolame Bera, Jiuta Lutumailagi, Pio Tuwai, Apsai Nayabo, Waqabaca Kotobalavu, Orisi Sareki, Peni Rokodiva, Sionasa Vunisa.