Trials for Fijiana Squad Begin 27 June, 2012 Four Jasper High School students have forced their way into the trials for the Fijiana squad preparing for the Women’s qualifiers in August at Lautoka’s Churchill Park.

According to Coach Elenoa Kunatuba these girls caught her eye during the secondary schools competition at Suva Grammar last month and she has roped them in as part of an Identification program and pathway towards the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

"These girls have the potential to make it to the Fijiana squad for the qualifiers, and what I want is for them to experience the atmosphere here and from there up skill them and hopefully they will be part of the Rio 2016 team” she said.

“But for them to make it into the squad depends on the selectors and also if there is a rule against them being under age” she added.

For 15 year old Merewai Cumu being called into the trials is a big step for her. She hails from Vunamoli in Nadi and expressed how happy she was to be part of the trials.

“If I make it into the squad, I will be the first person from my family to ever play rugby."

Being the second eldest in a family of six this would be a big achievement for Cumu.

"I'm really excited seeing how young I am, going up against experienced and older girls that are all fighting for a spot in the team” she said.

The third former impressed selectors today when she ran 14 on the beep test indicating to the other girls that she is just as determined as they are.

24 girls turned up for the fitness test at the HPU Gym in Suva and Kunatuba says that they have a clear indication on which girls have been doing their Daily Training Exercises (DTE).

“I am quite happy with the fitness test and the performance of the girls and it is easy to pick out those that have been doing their DTE’s and those that have been relaxing”.

She stressed that they may be impressive at the fitness test, but the real test will be during the trials where selectors will get a first hand glimpse of how these girls perform on the field.

“For them to make it into the squad depends on tomorrow’s trials and the selectors. There is a lot of potential and competition in this squad and we all have a tough task ahead of us, to select the best team for the qualifiers in August”.

The Women’s qualifiers will be on the 3rd and 4th of August at Lautoka’s Churchill Park.