Osea calls in duo
RAVOUVOU, TUWAI JOIN 7S TRAINING SQUAD
OLYMPIC gold medallists in 2016, Vatemo Ravouvou and Jerry Tuwai are part of the Fiji Airways Fiji 7s men’s extended squad preparing for the Hong Kong 7s tournament scheduled for early next month.
Their former teammate and newly appointed national 7s coach Osea Kolinisau confirmed this, saying the duo would be given an equal opportunity to prove themselves, like any other member of the team.
“Jerry (Tuwai) is in the squad now. We had an honest chat, Jerry knows where he is at. Jerry told me ‘coach, I am not there yet, I might need a month’. I told him to come into camp and I will monitor his fitness,” Kolinisau said.
Kolinisau said it was good to have Tuwai in camp.
“He told me that he will get back to fitness then come but Jerry is in camp. It is good to have him in camp with the knowledge he has — the only twotime Olympics gold medallist in rugby, so it is nice to have him around. He can mentor the young boys in the squad as well.”
While Tuwai’s fitness will be monitored, another veteran and 2016 Olympic gold medallist Ravouvou has no such issues.
“Ravouvou is in camp as well. He is looking fit, and I am looking forward to seeing him play at Marist 7s. Pat (Ravouvou) is someone, who never has a bad day when he plays, that’s the quality he has. I want communication and
Pat is always vocal in his game.”
Kolinisau said the two would have to prove themselves for a spot in the final team.
“I have told them. We have played together for four years but in this camp, I will treat them as all other players in the camp.
“For me, the numbers don’t lie in the fitness test. I will pick according to the numbers. At the end of the day, this is a team.”
The Hong Kong 7s will be held from March 5-7.