Two debutants named in Fiji 7s team for Wellington 7s

Five players from the Fiji Baabas 7s team that played in the recent SUDAMERICA Tournament have forced their way into the Vodafone Fiji 7's team for the Wellington and Sydney 7's tournaments.

Mesulame Kunavula and Nacanieli Labalaba will make their debut, while Kalioni Nasoko, Amenoni Nasilasila and Alivereti Veitokani make a return to the side.

Jasa Veremalua, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Setareki Bituniyata, Nemani Nagusa, Jerry Tuwai, Osea Kolinisau, Samisoni Viriviri and Joeli Lutumailagi have been retained from the last leg.

Vatemo Ravouvou who missed out on the first leg of the tournament has also been named in the team.

Vodafone Fiji 7s coach, Gareth Baber says that the players from the Fiji Baabas 7s team deserved to be selected as they played really well and impressively. 

He also congratulated the two debutants in the team.

Baber says he is confident that the team will do well in both tournaments.

He says some of the senior players are still recovering from injury and will be considered for the next leg.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Rugby Union has also confirmed that apart from the players undergoing rehab, those that were not selected have been released to play for their clubs in the Coral Coast 7s this weekend.

Fiji will play Australia in their first pool match at 10.46am next Saturday before facing Japan at 2.10pm while Fiji's last pool match will be against South Africa at 6.18pm next Saturday.

The medal quarterfinals will begin at 11.38am next Sunday while the semifinals will begin at 4.16pm.

The medal final will be held at 7.30pm next Sunday.

The Fiji 7's team will depart for Wellington next Tuesday.

The Selected players are:

1. Jasa Veremulua

2. Sevuloni Mocenacagi

3. Setareki Bituniyata

4. Nemani Nagusa

5. Kalioni Nasoko

6. Mesulame Kunavula

7. Jerry Tuwai

8. Vatemo Ravouvou

9. Osea Kolinisau (C)

10. Alifereti Veitokani

11. Amenoni Nasilasila

12. Samisoni Viriviri

13. Nacanieli Labalaba

14. Joeli Lutumailagi