JIOWANA Sauto had never played rugby before this year and the 18-year-old is very much surprised being named in the TFL Fijiana for the first leg of the World Women’s Sevens Series.
And joining her for her Fijiana debut is former Fiji Pearls netballer Vaiti Waqatabu.
The sixth former student of St John’s College in Cawaci, Levuka finished her physics paper last week and received the call informing her that she had been picked.
“I played in the Fiji U18 team to the Commonwealth Youth Games but I did not know that I would get a call-up to play for the national team,” said the shy Taveuni girl.
“I started playing rugby this year at school and found that I was really good at it. There is a lot of misconception about girls who play rugby.
“That has not bothered me. For me it is a sport I love playing and if I can do the nation and my family proud I would carry on.”
Sauto said she was yet to inform her parents on Taveuni of her selection into the national side. She plays in the forward and looked forward to Dubai.
For the former Pearl, who is now a Fijiana, Waqatabu had been training with the Fijiana for the past eight weeks.
“Rugby is a new challenge and I decided to take up the challenge and move from netball to rugby. I have not regretted the decision,” Waqatabu said.
“I have to admit, the fitness level is different and I had to try very hard to match up to the girls. The support from the team and the coaching staff has been great and I am looking forward to playing my first game in a different national uniform.”
Waqatabu comes in as an utility backline player ready to feature at either halfback or the wing.
Coach Chris Cracknell said the players deserved the break.
“The two new caps deserve their chance. Jiowana was a star at the 2015 Junior Commonwealth Games in Samoa and has a bright future ahead. She comes in for the injured Asinate Savu, whilst Vaiti who has transitioned from netball only eight weeks ago, has impressed with high fitness scores and offers a point of difference to the team” Cracknell said.
Telecom Fijiana team to Dubai:
Ana Maria Roqica, Rusila Nagasau, Litia Naiqato, Viniana Riwai, Rebacca Tavo, Tima Ravisa, Louisa Tisolo, Lavenia Tinai, Tima Tamoi, Talica Vodo, Jiowana Sauto, Vaiti Waqatabu
