Fiji to face top teams in Oceania Rugby Super 7s
AUCKLAND has been chosen as the venue of the 2022 Oceania 7s which will be played from June 2426.
The annual event previously took place at the ANZ Stadium in Suva with the host nation Fiji winning the men’s title consecutively on home soil.
Hence, the world’s leading 7s teams descend on Pukukohe this weekend for the Oceania Sevens in their last international tournament before July’s Commonwealth Games.
For Fiji and the All Blacks 7s and Black Ferns 7s players, it will be a chance to test themselves against the best opposition from
Australia and Tonga, days before the Commonwealth Games squads are confirmed.
For the All Blacks 7s, Scott Curry makes his return to the black jersey having spent the first half of the year in Japan.
Former All Blacks 7s star Lewis Ormond also returns having last played in the side in 2017.
After successful debuts on the HSBC WRSS earlier this year, Leroy Carter, Moses Leo, Brady Rush, Roderick Solo, Caleb Tangitau and Kitiona Vai will all take their last opportunity to impress before Commonwealth Games selection next week.
The experienced Kurt Baker completes a rugged All Blacks 7s outfit with the likes of Che Clark, Te Paea Cook-Savage, Rhodes Featherstone, Tone Ng Shiu, Trael Joass, Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, Sione Molia, Amanaki Nicole and Akuila Rokolisoa.
The All Blacks 7s beat Fiji 22-19 in the semi-final of the London 7s, but lost to Australia 19-14 in extra time.
They made a vast improvement from their seventh place finish in Toulouse the previous weekend and showed they would be the team to beat when they defend their Commonwealth Games 7s title in Birmingham.
On the other hand, national 7s coach Ben Gollings has roped in Olympic gold medallist Savenaca Rawaca in his 16-member squad for the Oceania Rugby Super 7s in this weekend.
Rawaca is best remembered for scoring Fiji’s winning try against Australia in the 2016 USA 7s, which was played in the midst of the havoc caused by STC Winston, and which Fiji won 21-15 after trailing the Aussies 15-0.
Rawaca, who plies his trade in Europe, makes a return after six years. Also returning is Jerry Tuwai, who missed the last two legs of the HSBC WRSS in France and England.
However, seasonal 7s players like Josua Vakurinabili, Napolioni Bolaca, Josefa Talacolo and Sevuloni Mocenacagi missed the cut because they were injured.
In a bid to build combination, Gollings maintained his core squad for the Oceania 7s with captain Tevita Daugunu, Elia Canakaivata, Semi Kunatani, Pilipo Bukayaro, Waisea Nacuqu and Kaminieli Rasaku added into the team.
The Oceania 7s will assist Gollings and Bill Satala to improve on the weaknesses from the previous leg and focus on developing new thought processes. Jeremaia Matana, Tira Wilagi, Josevani Soro, Manueli Maisamoa, Vuiviawa Naduvalo, Filipe Sauturaga, Iowane Raturaciri and Iowane Teba complete the 16-member squad.
Playing Australia and the All Blacks 7s will give Fiji tough competition, something we will need, heading to next month’s Commonwealth Games and the USA 7s in August.
RAJNESH LINGAM is a contributor to this newspaper. The views expressed are his and not necessarily of this newspaper or his employer.