Naikadawa to miss Wellington 7s 28 November, 2011

Jimilai Naikadawa likely to miss Wellington 7s

A serious knee injury has cut short Jimilai Naikadawa’s foray into sevens rugby after just one tournament. Naikadawa’s injury occurred in the final of the Gold Coast 7s when he was turned awkwardly in a tackle. 

Fiji rugby’s national team physiotherapist, William Koong, says the incident has likely ruled out the player from all levels of rugby for at least two months. 

“Jimilai has ruptured most of the ligaments in his knee and has also strained his calf muscles and will likely need surgical intervention to get him to recover quickly to allow him to continue playing,” Koong said. 

This means it’s highly unlikely the Nakorosule villager will be available for the Wellington and Las Vegas 7s in February. Also struggling to make the Wellington 7s will be current Digicel Fiji 7s team captain Setefano Cakau, who’s outstanding form at the Gold Coast 7s was also cut short by a knee injury in the final against New Zealand. 

Koong believes with intense physiotherapy Cakau may have enough recovery time to make the flight to Wellington. 

“Cakau should be placed on a brace for the next week and monitored, he will need to undergo intense physiotherapy for the next six weeks to be able to participate in the Wellington 7s tournament.” 

Replacements for the two players - Pio Tuwai and Ameniasi Nava – left the country this morning with head coach Alifereti Dere to join the rest of the team in Dubai.