Nothing confirmed on Tuwai: Matei
The Tailevu rugby team officials have ruled out speculations that it is after the services of World Sevens Player of the Year Seremaia (Jerry) Tuwai for the Skipper Cup Premiership. Speaking to SUNsports yesterday team manager Levani Matea said that there is nothing confirmed as yet.
“Those were just rumours circulating around that he (Tuwai) will join us,” he said.
“With that being said we are only focusing on the players who we have here with us.
“The squad has been training together for quite a while so we are working very closely with these boys.
“There are no prominent players in the squad, not even a former or current Flying Fijian player.
“So we are trying to basically nurture and develop these young players.”
He said players in their squad this year were from their development team.
“They have been in the development team for the past two years so we are now moving them up,” he said.
Matea added players were focusing on their fitness as they face Namosi in their opening game on July 25.
“For the game against Namosi we are focusing on improving our fitness in all areas of the game,” he said.
“They are an experienced side but if we are well-prepared and fit than we are able to match their capabilities. The team has been training hard in the past weeks so part of our training was on mental preparations because we understand the boys are young and new to the competition.”
For the past decade Tailevu Rugby has been prominent for producing top players like Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Sunia Sevu, Waisiki Masirewa, Meli Tamanitoakula, Inoke Male, Epeli Ruivadra, Alipate Naqaya, Apenisa Sassen, Lance Whippy, Lemeki Koroi, Jone Kaila, James Vuli and the list goes on. Matea said the players were grateful to be given the opportunity to train with the Fijian 7s, Warriors and the High Performance Unit (HPU) teams.
“The boys are motivated when they were assisted by these teams,” he said.
They have learned a lot so we are in a learning phase now and they are grasping very fast.
“This year we are focusing on discipline on and off the field. We are working on making sure that every little thing counts when it comes to game day.
“We respect our opponents but only the well-trained and disciplined side will win.”