Vueti Cakau duo given the nod to join development program
IT was a successful outing at the 2020 McDonald’s Fiji’s Coral Coast Sevens for the Vueti Cakau team from Vanua Levu after two members of the side have been selected to join the Fiji Rugby Union high performance unit and development program.
Team manager Emasi Ravulo said he was approached by officials from the Fiji Rugby Union high performance unit regarding two of his players.
“After the U19 semi-finals on Thursday Kele Leawere and Bill Gadolo from the FRU came to me and asked if they could take two of our boys to join their development program and to start next week,” Ravulo said.
“I was emotional when they delivered the request and without any doubt I accepted their offer because we know that reaching the semifinals after what we went through isn’t the only achievement in our campaign.
“Two of our players have been recognised and are on the starting block to race for the national 7s or fifteens team and possibly secure a contract overseas,” said Ravulo
Ravulo was happy with his players performances on the field despite the loss against Tuva Youths 5-0 in the cup semi-finals.
The Vanua Levu-based side gave the defending champion a good run for their money only losing out in the extra time.
“The tournament director personally acknowledged me for the performances of the boys and hoped to see us again next year,” Ravulo said.
“We will go back and regroup, and come back stronger next year and hope to reach the final. My message to the boys before the semi-final against Tuva was a simple term commonly used in Vanualevu and that was ‘Edatou Dau Ania’, we don’t mind this is their home ground, but we will show them what it’s like playing against a team from Vanualevu.”
I was emotional when they delivered the request and without any doubt I accepted their offer
– Emasi Ravulo