Green Light for Etu
The work permit of Fiji Airways Fijian men’s rugby sevens strength and conditioning coach Etu Tusitala has been approved. This was confirmed yesterday afternoon by the Director Immigration Amelia Komaisavai indicating that they were waiting for the Fiji Rugby Union to pay them before it is released. Earlier on FRU interim administrator Simione Valenitabua said they had been liaising with Immigration over the work permit.
“We should be able to update you next week,” Valenitabua said. It is understood that Tusitala has been without a work permit since 2022 and has not been paid for his services.
He is currently with the national sevens team in France for next weekend’s Toulouse tournament which will then be followed by the London Sevens.
In another change, former national rugby sevens star winger Sireli Bobo is part of the Fiji Airways Fijian men’s rugby sevens team to the Toulouse and London tournaments.
This was confirmed by FRU operations manager Sale Sorovaki.
“Yes, Bobo is travelling with the team as the assistant coach and manager,” Sorovaki said.
Also with the team is assistant coach Viliame Satala along with the Tusitala.
The Fijians are currently in third position of the HSBC World Sevens Series and eyeing to improve their standings by winning their first tournament in the competition.
The top four men’s and women’s teams at the end of the series automatically qualify for next year’s Paris Olympic Games in France.
The Fiji men’s is pooled with France, South Africa and United States of America (USA) in Toulouse.
They take on USA at 12.57am on Saturday, May 13. They play South Africa at 7.03am on the same day before playing France on Sunday, May 14.
The memories of the 65-7 thrashing from the Hurricanes during last year’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition is still vivid in the minds of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua players.
Speaking after the Captain’s run at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva yesterday hooker Tevita Ikanivere said that was why they have prepared well for this afternoon’s encounter against the Hurricanes.
“The vibes were good, the captain’s run was good and the boys are looking forward to come out and play tomorrow,” the stand-in captain said.
Ikanivere indicated that after their loss to the Blues in Lautoka, last Saturday, they are eager to register their first win after three consecutive losses.
“The plan is always the same, we try to come out and do our best to win. All the teams are tough in this competition. Everyone is strong, no one is weak.”
The Mick Byrne-coached side is confident of using their numerous chances to score points, which they have not been able to do so.
“We make mistakes every week but the team is building up. We made some mistakes last week but we’ve prepared well. We hope to show it tomorrow (today) on the field,” he said.
Ikanivere said they need to improve on their scrums since this is an area the Hurricanes would be targetting.
He highlighted they’re also aware of other aspects of their game as the Hurricanes have top loose forwards like captain Ardie Savea and Du’ Plessis Kirifi who have high work rate and very dangerous in the breakdowns by turning over possessions.