3 key players that were part of the Digicel Fiji 7's campaign in this leg of the IRB 7's series are likely to be ruled out for the NZ and the USA 7's in February.

With the team now settling in for the Nelson Mandela Bay 7's this weekend, the coaching staff will miss Setefano Cakau, Jimilai Nakaidawa and Livai Ikanikoda for the start of a new season.

It is confirmed that Ikanikoda will need a month to rest his knee injury.

As the first leg comes to a conclusion in South Africa this weekend the challenge facing Alifereti Dere and Etuate Waqa is to look for capable replacements knowing that Army players will not be able to travel to Wellington.

Fiji's opening pool match on Friday is against Portugal at 10.37pm.

Story by:
Dreu Vukailagi