Fuli names Young in side
FORMER high school sprint queen Heleina Young will be making her debut for the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side when she runs out with the squad at the Vancouver 7s this weekend.
The 22-year-old was named in head coach Saiasi Fuli’s 13-member side on Thursday.
“Helena has shown remarkable progress throughout her rehabilitation, and now it’s her time to shine and display her talent on the field.”
“Young is a promising player and has been working hard in the past few months,” he said.
Young has just recently signed with the Fijiana 7s side after spending one season with the
Reds in the Super Rugby competition last year.
With Ana Maimasi as skipper, Fuli’s 13-member side will be out to improve their ranking from the previous Perth 7s tournament earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Olympic bronze medalist Laisani Likuceva will be making her return to the squad after pulling out in February
last year for personal reasons.
The upcoming tournaments serve as a crucial preparation for the Olympics and an opportunity to improve their standings in the World 7s Series.
“We are currently positioned 7th after a quarterfinal exit in Perth, the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team is eager to climb the rankings and bolster their points tally in the upcoming competitions.”
The Fijiana have been placed in Pool B alongside Australia, Japan, and the United States. They play the USA on Friday at 7.30pm, before taking on Australia at 12.46pm and Japan at 6.15am on Saturday for their final pool game. Meanwhile, the Fiji Men will take on Spain at 11.20am Friday in their first match, they will then play Canada at 4.44pm Friday before taking on Argentina at 10.33am Saturday in their last pool game. The Fijiana 7s side to the Vancouver 7s; Vani Buleki, Talei Wilson, Aloesi Nakoci, Raijieli Daveua, Verenaisi Bari, Ana Maria Naimasi, Reapi Ulunisau, Lavena Cauvur, Heleina Young, Maria Rokotuisiga, Ilisapeci Delaiwalu, Laisani Likuceva.