Fiji born All Blacks 7s player Lote Raikabula has responded to the challenge laid down by Sir Gordon Tietjens.
Veteran Raikabula was asked by Tietjens to prove his fitness by playing in the national provincial tournament, ahead of trials for the first two international events of the year.
Tietjens said Raikabula’s done what he needed to do.
Tietjens added Raikabula needs to get some sevens conditioning under his belt and he played every minute of every game in those six games at the National 7s in New Zealand.
The All Black Sevens team for the Las Vegas and Wellington tournaments will be named tomorrow.
New Zealand is pooled with Fiji, Australia and Scotland and the USA 7s kicks off next Saturday.
Meanwhile, the national sevens team is back in camp and Ben Ryan will name his final 12 member team for the next two tournaments tomorrow.
Story by: Aliki Bia
