Baber Grabs U-20 Youths
7s coach says new duo have to prove their worth
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s head coach Gareth Baber is looking at potential players from the Vodafone Fijian Under-20 squad. Following on from the success of Meli Derenalagi and Vilimoni Botitu helping the Fijian 7s team win the 2018/19 HSBC World Sevens Series, Baber has roped in two more youngsters – former Ratu Kadavulevu School winger Osea Natoga and former Queen Victoria School rugger, Simione Kuruvoli. Speaking to SUNsports Baber said these players would have to prove their worth if they were to make it to the best 7s team in the world. “They’ve got to earn the right to don the white jersey so they have to prove that when they play in the HSBC tournaments and outside the HSBC,” Baber said.
“It’s how they prove themselves in the training environment and how they develop as young men to be selected. There’s group of players who have been together for the past two years and have been working together in winning tournaments so that’s very powerful. They’ve been there done it. “There are no promises for them, but they are in the right environment. It doesn’t mean they g e t what they wish for. They have to show discipline in their characteristics, play to the best of their ability and show everybody that element they have and will be fortunate enough to be selected in the final 13 for the HSBC series.”
He said the young players had more chances in making it to the Olympic Games in Japan next year, if their performance was consistent. “We’ll have a few young new players that will play at the HSBC Sevens and if they perform well they can even be selected for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan,” the coach said. “These young players have more chances than anybody else. The young players have a talent and they are always learning and it’s good to see when they come in, the learning continues.
“I appreciate the development work of the under-18s and under-20s in the academy. They’ve shown good character in the team.”