Bolaca For Tuwai?
Wadigi Salvo coach and manager Apimeleki Nasalo is putting his dollar on sevens Olympian Napolioni Bolaca as the best pick to replace colourful sevens playmaker Jerry Tuwai.
“Not because he is now playing for Wadigi, Olympian Bolaca is the one to replace his master and skipper Jerry (Tuwai),” Nasalo said yesterday.
On the same note Nasalo is ques-*
tioning the non-selection of the 26-year-old Yasawa flyer.
Bolaca was contracted with the Fijian Drua following his return from the delayed 2020 Japan Olympics (that was staged last year 2021); his secondment with the Super Rugby Pacific franchise ended May.
The Fijian Drua statement said back then that his term with them was shortened following a request from sevens Head Coach Ben Gollings.
Then Fijian Drua CEO, Brian Thorburn, said: “We’ve taken this
decision in the best interest of all parties, and at the request of coach Ben Gollings. It allows Bolaca to return to enjoy rugby in a familiar environment where he has had massive successes.”
However Bolaca missed out on the selection for the Commonwealth Games, Rugby World Cup in South Africa, HSBC Hong Kong and Dubai sevens series.
Nasalo said: “Bolaca was in the extended national sevens squad, I do not understand why he was dropped out of the final squad.
“He is 100 per cent fit right now, he has been camping with us for the Coral Coast sevens and the first leg of the Super 7s series,” he said.
The Coral Coast sevens will take place at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka on January 12-14.
“Bolaca is the best replacement for Tuwai, he plays well and is very vocal. He displays good leadership skills.
“He is always leading the charge on and off the field.
“He is young, hardworking and dedicated; he has terrific communication skills.”
Bolaca debuted for Fiji during the Oceania 7s in 2018; he has been a key playmaker with his mesmerising play. In the 47 matches he had played in the HSBC series he scored 25 tries.
Aside from being the top point scorer in the 2019-20 series he was a nominated for the 2021 World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year.
Meanwhile Wadigi was placed sixth in the 2021 local sevens series while Police Blue topped them all.