NEWS
Sorovaki names travelling party to JWC
21 May, 2012
Fiji Under 20 Head Coach Sale Sorovaki has today named a strong 28 member squad to the Junior World Cup in South Africa next month.
Aca Simolo and Lea Matayavusa, both from last year’s squad, have made it back into the team while six overseas based players have also forced their way in.
Notable inclusions in the side are Michael Little, cousin of legendary Flying Fijian flyhalf Nicky Little, and Alex Hodgeman both of whom are New Zealand based Fijians.
Sorovaki believes the overseas based player add much needed experience to the team
“The overseas based players have a lot of experience that they bring with them, and it is encouraging to see how our local players step up and interact well with these boys on the field” Sorovaki explained.
The team will march into camp today at Queen Elizabeth Barracks before flying out on 30 May to the JWC. Fiji is in pool A with defending champions New Zealand, Samoa and Wales.
Assistant Coach Bill Gadolo believes all the teams in their pool will play confrontational rugby upfront against Fiji.
“We have been working hard on improving our scrum, set pieces and general play, by the time we reach South Africa we should be able to match our opponents” Gadolo said.
They play their first game against Wales on 4 June at the Danie Craven Stadium.
The full 28 member squad is:
1. Alex Hodgeman - L/Head Prop (NZ); 2. Petero Tivitivi - T/head Prop (Suva); 3. Ratu Lame Lewanavanua - L/head Prop (Tailevu); 4. Semi Raturaga – Hooker (Suva); 5. Sunia Tamani – Prop (Northland); 6. Etuati Qadrodro – Hooker (Naitasiri); 7. Jale Sassen - Hooker (Tailevu); 8. Temo Raibevu – Lock (Naitasiri); 9. Esikia Waqaiyavana – Lock (Tailevu); 10. Joketani Raikabula – Flanker (NZ); 11. Ledua Ratumuri – Lock ( Nadi); 12. Sakeasi Kautoga – Lock (Tailevu); 13. Ratu Meli Baivatu – Flanker (Vatukoula); 14. Aca Simolo - Outside Flanker (Nadroga); 15. Sitiveni Nawaqa - No. 8 (Tailevu); 16. Seru Cavuilati – Scrumhalf (Tailevu); 17. Sakiusa Vatuinaruku – Scrumhalf (Nadroga); 18. Michael Little – Flyhalf (NZ); 19. Alivereti Mocelutu – Flyhalf (Tailevu); 20. Matayavusa Lea – Wing ( Suva); 21. Samuela Kerevi – Midfield (Australia); 22. Sevanaia Galala – Midfield (France); 23. Ratu Josua Kerevi - Centre (Suva); 24. Jimilai Rokoduru – Wing (Tailevu); 25. Tikilaci Vuibau – Fullback (Tailevu); 26. Timoci Seruwalu – Inside Centre (NZ); 27. Frederick Hickes – Midfield (Nadroga); 28. Elia Ratucove - Wing/Midfield (Tailevu).
21 May, 2012
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| FRU CEO Manasa Baravilala is flanked by Fiji U20 coach Sale Sorovaki (left) and Bill Gadolo (right) |
Fiji Under 20 Head Coach Sale Sorovaki has today named a strong 28 member squad to the Junior World Cup in South Africa next month.
Aca Simolo and Lea Matayavusa, both from last year’s squad, have made it back into the team while six overseas based players have also forced their way in.
Notable inclusions in the side are Michael Little, cousin of legendary Flying Fijian flyhalf Nicky Little, and Alex Hodgeman both of whom are New Zealand based Fijians.
Sorovaki believes the overseas based player add much needed experience to the team
“The overseas based players have a lot of experience that they bring with them, and it is encouraging to see how our local players step up and interact well with these boys on the field” Sorovaki explained.
The team will march into camp today at Queen Elizabeth Barracks before flying out on 30 May to the JWC. Fiji is in pool A with defending champions New Zealand, Samoa and Wales.
Assistant Coach Bill Gadolo believes all the teams in their pool will play confrontational rugby upfront against Fiji.
“We have been working hard on improving our scrum, set pieces and general play, by the time we reach South Africa we should be able to match our opponents” Gadolo said.
They play their first game against Wales on 4 June at the Danie Craven Stadium.
The full 28 member squad is:
1. Alex Hodgeman - L/Head Prop (NZ); 2. Petero Tivitivi - T/head Prop (Suva); 3. Ratu Lame Lewanavanua - L/head Prop (Tailevu); 4. Semi Raturaga – Hooker (Suva); 5. Sunia Tamani – Prop (Northland); 6. Etuati Qadrodro – Hooker (Naitasiri); 7. Jale Sassen - Hooker (Tailevu); 8. Temo Raibevu – Lock (Naitasiri); 9. Esikia Waqaiyavana – Lock (Tailevu); 10. Joketani Raikabula – Flanker (NZ); 11. Ledua Ratumuri – Lock ( Nadi); 12. Sakeasi Kautoga – Lock (Tailevu); 13. Ratu Meli Baivatu – Flanker (Vatukoula); 14. Aca Simolo - Outside Flanker (Nadroga); 15. Sitiveni Nawaqa - No. 8 (Tailevu); 16. Seru Cavuilati – Scrumhalf (Tailevu); 17. Sakiusa Vatuinaruku – Scrumhalf (Nadroga); 18. Michael Little – Flyhalf (NZ); 19. Alivereti Mocelutu – Flyhalf (Tailevu); 20. Matayavusa Lea – Wing ( Suva); 21. Samuela Kerevi – Midfield (Australia); 22. Sevanaia Galala – Midfield (France); 23. Ratu Josua Kerevi - Centre (Suva); 24. Jimilai Rokoduru – Wing (Tailevu); 25. Tikilaci Vuibau – Fullback (Tailevu); 26. Timoci Seruwalu – Inside Centre (NZ); 27. Frederick Hickes – Midfield (Nadroga); 28. Elia Ratucove - Wing/Midfield (Tailevu).
Other May 2012 News
| Sale's U20 JWC Diary: Day 1 - Eyeing the Samoans | 31 May, 2012 |
| A view from Europe and elsewhere | 30 May, 2012 |
| IRB Level 1 Coaching - Tailevu | 30 May, 2012 |
| Flying Fijians present i tatau | 29 May, 2012 |
| U20s - Respect the jersey, respect the team | 29 May, 2012 |
| Talei to captain Flying Fijians | 28 May, 2012 |
| Naitasiri 18-7 Nadi | 27 May, 2012 |
| Hot Bread renews FRU sponsorship | 26 May, 2012 |
| Nayacalevu joins PNC squad | 23 May, 2012 |
| Kalou blow for Fiji | 23 May, 2012 |
| Sorovaki names travelling party to JWC | 21 May, 2012 |
| Male names PNC squad | 18 May, 2012 |
| West beats East in trials | 17 May, 2012 |
| East v West trials switched to Churchill Park | 15 May, 2012 |
| NZ based prop joins U20s | 15 May, 2012 |
| Fiji cruise to London 7s title | 14 May, 2012 |
| FRU heads north for referee development | 11 May, 2012 |
| Overseas based players yet to join U20 squad | 11 May, 2012 |
| Dere names team for London 7s | 11 May, 2012 |
| Naitasiri defeat Lautoka 23-16 | 11 May, 2012 |
| Suspected neck injury for Naitasiri player | 11 May, 2012 |
| Little named in East v West national trials | 09 May, 2012 |
| Fiji Indo prepare for B Division | 08 May, 2012 |
| FORU AGM a success | 08 May, 2012 |
| Fiji to host women's 7s RWC qualifiers | 08 May, 2012 |
| Fiji's hopes dashed in extra time in Scotland | 07 May, 2012 |
| Tailevu humble Northland in Digicel derby | 05 May, 2012 |
| Digicel Cup Tables - 5 May, 2012 | 05 May, 2012 |
| Fiji Under 20's step up intensity | 04 May, 2012 |
| Dere names team for Glasgow 7s | 04 May, 2012 |
| Wintery Glasgow weather greets Fiji | 03 May, 2012 |
| Nacagilevu visits Rugby House | 03 May, 2012 |
| Fiji Rugby fundraiser for floods | 01 May, 2012 |
| National players to work on fitness | 01 May, 2012 |
| Nacagilevu released from hospital | 01 May, 2012 |
