Olympic champions Fiji will field a side bristling with world-class talent at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco this weekend. Six members of the team that won gold in Rio are included supported by HSBC Sevens Series standouts and some top European professionals.
Outstanding halfback Jerry Tuwai leads the team fellow 2017-18 HSBC Dream Team selections Kalione Nasoko and Amenoni Nasilasila included. Eroni Sau was also a Dream Team selection but did not make the final cut for the World Cup, an indicator of the strength in depth available to coach Gareth Baber.
Joining the team from Europe are four France-based stars. Toulon winger Josua Tuisova is joined by former clubmate and new Bordeaux signing Semi Radradra. Up front there is Toulouse flanker Semi Kunatani and European Player of the Year Leone Nakarawa from Racing 92.
Fiji enter as the No2 seeds behind only HSBC Series winners South Africa. They have a bye in the first round of the knock-out style competition and will play the winner of Japan vs Uruguay on Friday evening. Should they advance they will play the winner of Argentina vs Canada or Papua New Guinea.
FIJI MEN’s SEVENS
Paula Dranisinikula, Semi Kunatani, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Alosio Naduva, Leone Nakarawa, Amenoni Nasilasila, Kalione Nasoko, Semi Radradra, Vatemo Ravouvou, Josua Tuisova, Jerry Tuwai (capt.), Jasa Veremalua