7s selection door open

GOLLINGS CONTINUES TO LOOK FOR PROSPECTS

GOOD news for Fijian players aiming to represent Fiji on the world stage.

Fiji 7s team head coach Ben Gollings said he would continue to look for new talents to represent Fiji.

He revealed this during the Fiji Bitter Malomalo 7s at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka during the past two days.

Gollings and his team that is preparing for the Toulouse 7s in France, was part of the tournament on Friday as guest side.

They beat Malomalo 7s 35-5 and Vusama 40-0.

Gollings said players who would impress him and his assistant Viliame ‘The Stretcher’ Satala could be included in the national side.

One such player is Red Wing utility backliner, Josateki Kilawaca, who is a mirror image of the playing style and built of Jerry Tuwai.

Kilawaca was a member of former Fiji 7s coach Ben Ryan’s squad before the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

And he helped the Red Wing team beat Police Blue 12-10 in the cup final of the Fiji Bitter Malomalo 7s at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka yesterday.

“I will be looking for new players,” Gollings said.

“There are plenty of opportunities.”

The former England 7s skipper said he tested his squad in the

Fiji Bitter Malomalo 7s because oppositions in France would be rock solid.

“We want to have a competitive squad and the teams that went to the past two tournaments did fantastically well. We are developing and we need to continue to jel,”

Gollings, unlike other coaches, watched his team play from behind the goalposts. He said it allowed him to monitor play and his players well.

“It is part of our work and myself behind the posts to give us an opportunity to look at the games and the players from a different angle. It is all about practice and learning.”

Olympians Semi Kunatani, Vatemo Ravouvou and Napolioni Bolaca are part of Gollings squad.

Jerry Tuwai is expected to join the team this week after falling sick last week.

Meanwhile, Red Wing beat Police Blue in the final of the Malomalo 7s.