FRANCE bound
Four of our Fiji Airways Fijian 7s players (from left) Osea Waqa, Epeli Momo, Aminiasi Tuimaba and Vilimoni Botitu have left for France to play rugby professionally. The four men were seen checking in at the Nadi International Airport on July 30, 2020. Photo: Waisea Nasokia
Two key members of the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team left for France yesterday. They are winger Aminiasi Tuimaba and Vilimoni Botitu who are also top contenders for a spot in next year’s Fijian men’s 7s team to the Tokyo Olympic Games in Japan. Joining them are Fijian Warriors backs Osea Waqa and Epeli Momo. Waqa played fullback for Nadi in their 17-7 Skipper Cup win against Yasawa last Saturday while Momo was in the national 7s training squad. Tuimaba who had earlier turned down an offer from Melbourne Storm signed up for Pau for the 2020/ 2021 season where he is going to team-up with Flying Fijians centre Jale Vatubua, Watisoni Votu and Lekima Tagitagivalu.
Botitu told SUNsports that he was looking forward to unveiling another chapter of his rugby career.
“Finally we are off to France now, if there was no COVID-19 pandemic we would have been allowed to travel earlier but this is the time,” Tuimaba said.
“I will put up my hands when Fiji calls me to come and represent the country.”
The Yasawa native is well-known for his speed and is rated as a lethal finisher. He finished the 2018/19 season as the top try scorer for the Fijian 7s team and the second top try scorer in his first year in the World Sevens Series. Botitu, Waqa and Momo will feature for Castres where they will join former Fijian rugby league convert Adrea Cocagi.
“I worked hard to attain more in rugby. I was focussed to achieve this and finally this was possible through dedication and support,” Botitu said.
‘There is more to learn in the sport as well as it is a new environment but the mission remains the same to play rugby to the best of my ability.”
Botitu, 22, made his debut for Fiji in the World Rugby Sevens Series in the 2018 Dubai Sevens tournament.
Since then he has been a standout player for the 2018-2019 Sevens Series.
Waqa said it was a good feeling to play for Nadi before leaving for France.
“Finally to move over is something I have been working on so that I could support my family back home,” the former Ratu Navula College rep said.
Momo, a native of Yaloku, Ba said that he cannot think of anything else but to thank his parents and family for their support. “They have been my pillar of strength and it is time to continue with my career and also make them proud,” he said.
According to Fiji Rugby Union all these players had signed their contracts before the Tokyo Olympic Games was deferred to next year but their departure wqs delayed due to the pandemic.