Fijiana Sevens coach Elenoa Kunatuba has named her 12-strong squad charged with trying to secure one of the Oceania region’s two places at the Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai from March 5-7.
Seven of the players selected for the Oceania qualifier – which takes place in the Samoan capital Apia from 25-26 July – were members of the Fijiana squad that won the Pacific Sevens title in Papua New Guinea last December.
They are Rusila Nagasau, Mereoni Yabakidrau, Atasa Seru, Laisani Mataele, Elina Ratuluve and Salote Tikoisuva, who is the sole surviving member of the Fiji team that played at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2003.
Two others – Viva Varanises and Iva Nancy – have played for Fiji in the 15-a-side game, while New Zealand-based Sera Tokakece is the only overseas player in the squad and also the younger sister of Peni Tokakece who has had trials for the Fijian national side. She is one of three new caps in the squad, the others being Tavaita Ravouvou and Unaisi Vatulili.
Strong line up for Africa Women's Cup
While the Fijiana side are now preparing for the Oceania qualifying tournament, England and France – two of the European nations to have already booked their tickets to Dubai – are among teams invited to attend the inaugural Africa Women’s Cup event in East London from 7-9 August.
Mahlubi Puzi, SA Rugby Women’s Rugby and Sevens Manager, revealed that the other teams invited are New Zealand, USA, Canada, Wales, Australia and Samoa. They will compete against hosts South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Tunisia, Morocco, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Russia in the three-day tournament with the final coinciding with National Women’s Day on 9 August.
The 16-team tournament will be an early indicator of what could be expected next year in Dubai when the qualification process is complete. Seven teams have already qualified for the inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens in England, the Netherlands, Russia, Spain, France, Italy and Brazil. Two teams will qualify from Oceania, Africa and North America with the other three from Asia.
“This will be a high profile event on the sporting calendar of the country and we see it as another opportunity for teams to prepare for the first women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens next year in Dubai,” said Puzi.
The African teams will use this competition to prepare for the regional Women’s RWC Sevens qualifiers in Uganda from 20-21 September.
Fijiana Sevens squad:
Varanisese Viva, Rusila Nagasau, Iva Nancy, Mereoni Yabakidrau, Sera Tokakece, Atasa Seru, Tavaita Ravouvou, Luisa Uluilakeba, Elina Ratuluve, Salote Tikoisuva, Laisani Mataele, Unaisi Vatulili.
Non-travelling reserves: Siteri Rasousou, Asenaca Tuena, Talica Vodo, Vani Tovehi.
