King of 7s Waisale Serevi was reported to have stated that Fijians playing in Sri Lanka was a good thing as they were able to feed their families and thanked the SLRFU, for the assistance. But things have turned around and these Fijians are left stranded having had to exit the pearl of the Indian Ocean in haste.
There is a lot to talk about the Fijian bogeyman Apisai Naqaliva and there wouldn’t be more evidence Ben Ryan the Fiji 7s coach would need to be impressed on Naqaliva.
The Fijian Rugby Union went through some turmoil a few months ago as their contracted players were enticed to play domestic rugby in Sri Lanka.
Fiji is currently positioned third in IRB World Sevens Series with 64 points after Gold Coast, Dubai, Port Elizabeth and Wellington 7s. South Africa leads the table with 76 points and New Zealand with 69 points at second place after defending their title last week at Wellington.
Pics by Hiran Weerakkody ©ThePapare.com
Pio Tuwai, Setefano Cakau, Leo Naikasau, Joeli Lutumailagi, Sanivalati Ramuwai and Apisai Fijians were in Sri Lanka. Luckily Fiji 7s is not short on talent depths. Tuwai & Ramuwai went back to their country last week after the Army could not cover their financial cost, but it remains to be seen in the Army duo will be picked with immediate effect for the remaining 7s series.
Ben Ryan on Pio Tuwai playing in Sri Lanka
Pio Tuwai showed tremendous skills in the 2013 Dubai 7s his no-look pass in the below video was simply skillful; Fiji beat New Zealand 44-00 in the cup semi-final. Tuwai, in his exclusive chat with ThePapare.com during his stay in Sri Lanka said “It’s not only Fijians play in Sri Lanka, they play all around the world as professionals. So many players have changed their fortunes by playing overseas, so I chose to play here which will benefit to my family.”
Setefano Cakou on the other hand spent the last season in Sri Lanka and then took over the coaching duty with Sri Lanka 7s team. Then he moved to Fiji and also played the Gold Coast 7s in October 2014. The veteran just stole the show in the finals at Gold Coast with two tries beating Samoa 31 – 24.
In addition to this, Naqaliva is perhaps enjoying his season of his life in Sri Lanka. The 25 year old 176cm tall, 100kg weighing monster is the highest try scorer in the ongoing Dialog Rugby league with 12 tries with three more matches remaining followed by the Clifford cup knock-outs trophy.
One thing that is awe- inspiring about Naqaliva is that most of the time he played a lonely hand although rugby is a team game. The opposition XV could not stop him, he was so ferocious and remained as a solider in the battle field.
Also Naqaliva still has his 7s rhythm on the field which was witnessed throughout the season. Ben Ryan told Fiji Times last October “I was impressed watching him on video in Sri Lanka last year,” Ryan further said “John McKee watched him last week in the interior and was impressed with his performance. Also said Naqaliva had lot to offer.”
Naqaliva against the Army match last week quite amazingly ran 24 times approximately with the ball in hand and almost made 220 – 226 meters with an average of approx. 9meter per carry. He was strong as an ox, solid as a rock. His fitness looked he can play twenty more minutes after playing full time.
Fiji as a rugby mad nation is surely eyeing the Gold medal at the Rio Olympics next year. Before that the current 7s series where they rank third and there is a lot of time for them to claim the series with USA, Hong Kong, Japan, Scotland and England 7s to come.
The possibility would be very likely that Tuwai, Naqaliva, Ramuwai, Cakau and Lutumailagi willing to be added to the squad along with the world 7s player 2014 Samisoni Viriviri, Jerry Tuwai, Manueli Laqai, Isake Katonibau, Jasa Veremalua, Vatemo Ravouvou, Semi Kunatani and captain & the playmaker Osea Kolinisau.
The highest paid Fijian contract was $15,000 – $20,000 a year where as some players got twice the amount for a period of 6 months – more money less rugby in Lanka! The question is whether FRU has found enough cash in the account to contract the returning players from Sri Lanka. The said Fijians in Sri Lanka are not short of talent & skills as they have already capped in 7s for Fiji.
The most important factor is after what happened a few months back, the turmoil the FRU went through, would Ben Ryan & FRU include these experienced campaigners in to the squad as soon as they are available?
