Fiji Rugby announces Digicel Fiji 7s squad for Gold Coast 14 November, 2011

FRU Chairman Mosese Tikoitoga (centre) Digicel Fiji CEO David Butler (3rd right) and Kevin McCarthy, BSP Country Manager (2nd left) pose with members of the Digicel Fiji 7s team after the team announcement for the Gold Coast 7s.

The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) today announced the Digicel Fiji 7s twelve member squad to participate in the Gold Coast 7s on 25 and 26 November. The team, selected by head coach Alivereti Dere, was announced by FRU Chairman Mosese Tikoitoga at the Suva headquarters of team sponsor - Digicel. 

The squad sees three players making their HSBC World Sevens Series debut with Naitasiri captain Senivalati Vunibola, at 39 years of age, arguably the oldest player to debut for a national team in the Word Sevens Series. Furthermore Vunibola makes his debut alongside fellow Naitasiri villager and former Flying Fijian, Jimilai Naikadawa. 

The third debutant in the side is outstanding Fiji Under 20 player to Italy this year, Semi Radradra. 

The full squad is: 

1. Setefano CAKAU (Captain), 2. Watisoni VOTU, 3. Sitiveni WAQA, 4. Senivalati VUNIBOLA, 5. Jimilai NAIKADAWA, 6. James BROWN, 7. Emosi VUCAGO, 8. Livai IKANIKODA, 9. Joeli LUTUMAILAGI, 10. Osea KOLINISAU, 11. Semi RADRADRA, 12. Mitieli NACAGILEVU 

Non-travelling reserves:
Nikola MATAWALU, Aminiasi NAVA, Pio TUWAI, Josaia LOTAWA 

The change in the tournament schedule for the 2011-12 Series now sees three tournaments being played together over consecutive weekends – Gold Coast, Dubai and Port Elizabeth. This now means teams can change up to two players at tournament cost, through either injury or lack of form, for the final leg in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. 

For the Gold Coast leg the team will be coached by assistant coach Etuate Waqa with Dere unable to travel to Australia. Dere will take over the coaching reins from Waqa for the Dubai and Port Elizabeth tournaments.