OUR 12 MEN

Fiji Airways Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber yesterday named his final squad of 12 to contest the Rugby World Cup 7s in San Francisco. Baber has selected the squad he believes will be best suited to the conditions and unique format of the World Cup format. The Fijian 7s team will travel from their Utah training camp to San Francisco today. The 7s World Cup starts on Saturday (Fiji Time).

In a surprise move Fiji Airways Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber has dropped Eroni Sau and Josua Vakurinabili from the 12-member squad for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, this weekend. Baber has instead opted for speedy winger Alosio Naduva and utility Sevuloni Mocenacagi.

“This is the squad I believe will be best suited to the conditions and unique format of the Rugby World Cup Sevens competition,” he said. “With so much class across all areas of the field, the decision on who to take was not an easy one.”

Forward Mocenacagi has been playing at rover during the 2017/18 HSBC World Sevens Series while Naduva scored match winning tries in the Cup finals of the Hamilton and Singapore tournaments.

Baber praised his players for their efforts and application to the preparation camp where they all put forward a strong case for selection through their energy, intensity and determination to contribute to the team.

After a 10-day intensive camp in Park City, Utah, the Welshman says, he had to make tough decisions on the selection of the players. Also dropped along with Sau and Vakurinabili are Apenisa Cakaubalavu and Waisea Nacuqu. The team will travel to San Francisco tomorrow before starting their Rugby World Cup 7s campaign on Saturday (Fijian time) against the winner of a qualifying match between Japan and Uruguay.

12- MEMBER SQUAD:

Alosio Naduva, Amenoni Nasilasila, Jasa Veremalua, Seremaia Tuwai (Captain), Josua Tuisova, Kalione Nasoko, Leone Nakarawa, Paula Dranisinukula, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Semi Kunatani, Semi Radradra, Vatemo Ravouvou.

RWC 7S RECORD:

1993– Cup Semifinals; 1997– Champions; 2001– Cup Semifinals; 2005 – Champions; 2009– Cup Quarterfinals; 2013– Bronze medallists

Alosio Naduva. Leone Nakarawa. Amenoni Nasilasila. Paula Dranisinukula. Jasa Veremalua. Sevuloni Mocenacagi. Seremaia Tuwai (C). Semi Kunatani. Josua Tuisova. Semi Radradra. Kalioni Nasoko.

Photo: FRU Media From left; Alosio Naduva and Josua Tuisova in their training camp in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 13, 2018. Naduva and Tuisova are in the final 12-member squad.