The Fiji Times

Qaranivalu, player to watch in Sigatoka

- By ERONI TUINUKU

FIJI 7s team extended squad youngster Anasa Qaranivalu will make his first major debut appearance on a renowned 7s platform of local competitio­ns at the McDonald’s Fiji’s Coral Coast rugby 7s tournament.

The Fiji under-20 flanker was drafted into the extended squad last season and has been keeping up with the 7s training program for the past few months and now the Tailevu lad wants to show Gareth Baber a missing link in his forwards when he plays for the Tabadamu team this weekend.

“This will be my first major rugby 7s tournament and I’m excited because I’ve learnt a lot from the pros of 7s in the country.

“I’ve always played 15s in the past but when I was named in the Fiji 7s extended squad, I realised that I could be part of Baber’s team too but I had no place to show my skills and what I’ve learnt and that is why I’m excited to participat­e in this event,” said Qaranivalu.

The 20-year old robust forward wants to give a shot with the big boys to give him a chance to be selected into the Fiji 7s team.

“Playing for the Tabadamu team will be the best place to reveal my strengths and I know my competitor­s in the Fiji 7s team are the best such as Ratu Meli Derenalagi, Josua Vakurinabi­li, and other forwards but that won’t stop me from doing what I do best in the field and impress the selectors.”

The youth competitio­n kicks off today followed by the women’s on Thursday and the senior team to feature on Friday and Saturday at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.

 ?? Picture: JOVESA NAISUA Picture: BALJEET SINGH Picture: BALJEET SINGH ?? Tabadamu 7s player Anasa Qaranivalu during a training session at the YMCA gym in Suva.
Left: Sakeo Railoa on attack for Police White against Tabadamu during the Tabadamu 7s cup semi-final clash at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.
Inset left: Benjamin Qoro on attack for Lami Cavaliers against Tanoa Red Wing in Nadi over the weekend.
Picture: JOVESA NAISUA Picture: BALJEET SINGH Picture: BALJEET SINGH Tabadamu 7s player Anasa Qaranivalu during a training session at the YMCA gym in Suva. Left: Sakeo Railoa on attack for Police White against Tabadamu during the Tabadamu 7s cup semi-final clash at Prince Charles Park in Nadi. Inset left: Benjamin Qoro on attack for Lami Cavaliers against Tanoa Red Wing in Nadi over the weekend.
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