Nakarawa on the radar 09 June, 2011

Leone Nakarawa in the line-out for Suva during the Digicel Cup

Current Digicel Fiji 7s rep and former Flying Fijian lock Leone Nakarawa received a pleasant surprise earlier this week when Flying Fijians head coach Sam Domoni called him into camp with the Pacific Nations Cup squad. 

Nakarawa last represented the Flying Fijians against Romania in Bucharest in 2009. Since then he’s struggled to break back into the side with players such as Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Sekonaia Kalou, Wame Lewaravu and of course the wily veteran Ifereimi Rawaqa offering more power and bulk in the engine room than the lean Nakarawa. 

However the mere fact Nakarawa has been called into the squad is an indication he still remains firmly on the Flying Fijians’ radar. 

“Leone was called into the squad to keep him abreast of the knowledge and techniques we are developing within the camp of how we want to play the game, and certainly if any of our current locks should drop out for any reason then someone like Nakarawa has the ability and the knowledge to step in immediately,” Domoni said. 

“He certainly has the height but needs help with his power and defensive technique and his body shape in the scrum.” 

The Flying Fijians will hold a media conference on Friday 10 June at 12:00PM at the Tanoa Plaza Hotel before breaking camp. On Sunday the team will reassemble in Sigatoka where they will camp until the start of the Pacific Nations Cup. 

Meanwhile some members of the Flying Fijians squad will be making a promotional appearance on Saturday evening at O’Reilly’s Bar in Suva – Fiji Rugby’s official sports bar. Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend. 

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