Gollings names Fijian 7s extended squad for LA 7s and the World Cup

August 22, 2022
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Ultimate Rugby

Fijian 7s Head Coach Ben Gollings has named an exciting squad for the final leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series in the USA and for the World Cup in South Africa.

Olympic Games gold medalist Iosefo Masi returns to the squad after switching codes to rugby league and missing out on the sevens series.

Masi joins a powerful and physical forward pack which also consists of Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Josua Vakurinabili, Jerry Matana, and Joseva Talacolo who has also made the cut into the squad after a fine recovery.

Dual Olympic Gold Medalists Jerry Tuwai will again be a vital player in the backs and will share the load with Waisea Nacuqu, Filipo Bukayaro and Kaminieli Rasaku. Wingers Filipe Sauturaga and Vuiviawa Naduvalo will add speed while Manueli Maisamoa and Iowane Teba will provide the much-needed physicality.

Gollings said there are a few changes from the team which went to the Commonwealth Games.

He added “There are a few players coming back from injury in the likes of Talacolo, who always add a different dimension as we saw him the way he performed in the previous tournaments.

I’m also excited to see Iosefo Masi who has the Olympic Games experience and has been performing well and meeting the expectations during training.”

Gollings added “We are just looking and creating some opportunity as we then put our focus on World Cup post Los Angeles 7s.

“It’s an exciting team, looking forward to seeing it develop through the week of LA 7s after which we will finalize some of the decisions because we are taking a wider squad based on the fact that our focus is on the World Cup,” he said.

“There are no real major injury concerns. We picked up a few knocks at the Commonwealth Games which have been managed well by our medical team. It’s a healthy squad and everybody is being available for selection for the World Cup” said Gollings.

Fiji Airways Fijian 7s squad for LA 7s and Rugby World Cup.