Three players will make their debut in the Digicel Fiji Sevens team in the opening leg of the IRB Sevens in Gold Coast, Australia, next weekend.

Naitasiri captain Senivalati Vunibola, flanker Jimilai Nakaidawa and national Under 20 rep Semi Radradra have been named in the final 12 member team to Australia.

Also returning after not been considered for the final leg of the series this year is Emosi Vucago while Sitiveni Waqa comes back to the team after playing in Dubai and George last year.

Osea Kolinisau, the fittest player in the team, comes back after a jaw injury in the Australia Sevens while James Brown also returns after playing for Fiji in 2009.

Seasonal players like captain Setefano Cakau, Watisoni Votu, Joeli Lutumailagi, Miti Nacagilevu and Livai Ikanikoda are in the team.

Assistant coach Eddy Waqa, who will guide the team to the first tournament in Gold Coast, said they have included some fifteens players like Vunibola and Nakaidawa to add some strength in the lineout and ruck areas.

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Fiji Rugby Union chairman Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga added that it was hard for the coaches to name this final team as they did not have time as a luxury with them.

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The Fiji Sevens team to the opening leg of the IRB Sevens Series in Australia: Setefano Cakau, Watisoni Votu, Sitiveni Waqa, Senivalati Vunibola, Jimilai Nakaidawa and James Brown in the forwards.

The backline: Livai Ikanikoda, Osea Kolinisau, Miti Nacagilevu, Emosi Vucago, Joeli Lutumailagi and Semi Radradra.

The non traveling reserves are Nikola Matawalu, Josaia Lotawa, Pio Tuwai and Aminiasi Nava.

Fiji is pooled with New Zealand, Kenya and Niue and will play Niue in the first pool match at 5.25pm next Friday.


Story by: Dreu Vukailagi