Fiji rugby team ready for IRB Sevens World Series

Suva, May 4 (IANS): Fiji Sevens rugby selector Lote Rasiga said the national team has to tackle hard and produce explosive speed to finish second in the 2012-13 International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series.

This was after coach Alivereti Dere named his starting line-up for Fiji’s opening pool match against Spain at the Scotland Sevens in Glasgow Saturday night, reports Xinhua.

Skipper Setefano Cakau leads the charge in the forwards with Jasa Veremalua and Nemani Nagusa.

Nippy Emosi Mulevoro will start at playmaker with scrum-half Sakiusa Gavidi, winger Samisoni Viriviri and rover Benito Masilevu completing the backline, according to the Fiji Times.

Fiji team manager Semi Rogoyawa said all was well in the Fijians’ camp and they were looking forward to their first game Saturday.

Rogoyawa said the players would take a game at a time in their bid to finish second behind New Zealand in the series.

The players had their jersey presentation by coach Dere Friday after which they had a captain’s run at the Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow.

Rogoyawa said the captains run would provide players with an opportunity to climatize to the pitch they would be playing on this weekend.

The Scotland Sevens ends Monday morning.

Following is the Fiji Sevens lineup: Nemani Nagusa, Setefano Cakau, Jasa Veremalua, Sakiusa Gavidi, Emosi Mulevoro, Samisoni Viriviri, Benito Masilevu, Reserves-Joji Ragamate, Donasio Ratubuli, Vilitati Sokiveta, Ulaiasi Lawavou and Leone Nakarawa.