Dranisinukula in as Fiji defend series title.
The Fiji Airways Fijian 7s squad to defend their NZ Sevens title in Hamilton has been announced and power forward Paula Dranisinukula will join the team at full strength in a boost to the reigning champions.
Terio Tamani and Josua Vakurunuabili will also make their first appearances for the 2019 HSBC World Sevens Series with Apenisa Cakaubalavu on stand by at 13th man.
Baber said the final selection was fiercely competitive as he kept the players waiting til the final hour to make the announcement.
“The team have prepared well and it’s good to have two players of Paula and Josua’s quality back in the squad.
It was a tough decision to place Apenisa as 13th man as he has trained well and is working hard to fight for selection” he said.
Fiji play Wales, Argentina and Australia in their pool games starting at 10.52am Saturday and the team are under no illusions they’ve got their work cut out for them.
“The players are aware that it’s six finals we’ve got to play, so we’ll prepare well today, recover and get ourselves in the right state for the morning.” said Baber.
Kalione Nasoko will again lead the team and the dominating forward says the boys are looking forward to the challenge ahead of them.
“We’re just focussing on Wales at the moment. Get through that first game and then move onto the rest of the pool games.
We know Wales are a good team, every team in the series is very competitive right now and there are things that we’ve been doing to get us ready to take on the challenge of the games in our pool tomorrow.
We’ll just keep focussing on our role and what to do on the ground. I think the boys are ready to take on the weekend” he said.
Fiji play Wales at 10.52am, Argentina at 2.42pm and Australia at 6.52pm live coverage will be available on Fiji One or the HSBC World Seven Series website.
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s for Hamilton leg of the HSBC World Seven Series.
- Kalione Nasoko (Captain)
- Paula Dranisinukula
- Sevuloni Mocenacagi
- Ratu Meli Derenalagi
- Mesulame Kunavula
- Josua Vakurinabili
- Jerry Tuwai
- Waisea Nacuqu
- Terio Tamani
- Vilimoni Botitu
- Aminiasi Tuimaba
- Alasio Naduva
13. Apenisa Cakaubalavu