Talacolo Eyes Olympic Spot
Police White forward looks at making it in the HSBC Seven Series after receiving Best Player Award at the 44th Fiji Bitter Marist 7s.
Josefa Talacolo was awarded the best player award of the 44th Fiji Bitter Marist 7s. The Police White player proved that he has what it takes to be a national rep and will work towards making the 7s side to Tokyo Olympics.
The Naqarawai, Namosi native was one of the few new faces in the national 7s training squad that marched into camp last month. “Being in the national squad was a huge step for me, I’m also working hard to make the final team to the Tokyo Olympics,” he said.
“I have set my target and have been praying about it.”
Despite their 19 -22 loss to Tabadamu, he was grateful to be the best player at Fiji’s biggest sevens tournament.
And he thanked his family and fans of the Police teams for their support during the three-day tournament. “I would like to thank God for what I have achieved. If it was not for God’s strength, I would not be able to have this best player,” he said.
“I also thank my teammates for the effort, this award was achieved through team work.
“I dedicate it to my parents, for their support and for always being there for me.
This was only his second Marist 7s. He played for Tabadamu in last year’s tournament and it was a bit of a challenge to face his former side during the final this year.
“It was good game against Tabadamu, even though we know each other’s style of playing, it did not discourage me,” he said.
“This was only the start and will lift up my game
in the areas needed ments.”
Meanwhile Fiji Airways Fijian 7s squad member Kaminieli Rasaku is one player that is looking for an opportuniy to don the national jersey.
“For me right now I’m just trying to do the small things right in any tournament here locally,” he said.
“Those little things that I do right here at home determines the way I play and perform if I get selected for the team to the HSBC Seven Series or even the Olympic Games.” “Every day and game I learn new things like techniques and tricks of the game and I’m so blessed to have been part of the squad for the past few months. “Looking back at my performance here at the Marist 7s I would say that I enjoyed and loved every bit of it because I get to show my full potential and talent to the fans and the world.
“Playing alongside Jerry Tuwai and Pio Tuwai in the Barbarian Brothers 7s team is just something amazing in my young carrer because I get to learn from two of the best players in the world.” “Now I will have to head back home and have a video review on my games from this tournament and hope to improve on the areas that I failed on.”
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s Head Coach Gareth Baber believes that the tournament have created a lot of new talents.
“It’s good to see how the players in the training squad presented themselves during this tournament and at the same time the new players were also impressive,” he said.
“Given the set back we all had to go through the pandemic where players had to stay off training .
“Players bounced back and they played well it is almost like they never left rugby sevens.
“I’m enjoying it so far I’ve been pleased with the level and quality I’ve seen. “These players have been playing in local 7s tournament and some have been drafted into the training squad.
“It’s their first time back into the 7s tournament it is going to be a little bit strange to them but what I’m enjoying is that we got 7s rugby back on.
“I get to see not only the players that I have eyes on over the last few months, I get to see all the rest of the talent here in Fiji with 48 teams going head to head. The quality of players give us the extra boost going into the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.”
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