Despite the ongoing drama surrounding the Fiji Airways Fiji men’s 7s team, the players are united understanding there are more important things to focus on.
The Fiji 7s team has been under scrutiny since last season as they have yet to win a title in the HSC SVNS Series. It has been criticized further with the Ben Gollings and Jerry Tuwai saga blowing over proportion.
Rover Kaminieli Rasaku said despite the criticism, the players are focused on the bigger picture.
“We’ve seen and heard a lot that’s been said about the team but for us as players we are not swayed by it, it doesn’t change the goal that we are aiming to achieve,” the former Bayonne and Barbarians player asserted. He added: “All we ask for is support from the people of Fiji, we ask for your prayers and belief that we can win.”
This is an important year for the Fiji 7s team as the Olympic gold medal is on the line when teams convene in Paris starting July.
Rasaku is hungry and determined to seal his spot in the national team especially after he missed out on selection in the 2021 Games.
Meanwhile, Rasaku revealed that returning to the Fiji Airways Fiji men’s 7s team was always part of his plans.
The 24-year-old returned to Fiji last year after his contract with French club Bayonne was terminated due to personal reasons. He marked his return during the Oceania 7s in Brisbane, Australia in November, 2023. “Coming back to Fiji 7s was always part of my plan because I wanted to play in the Olympics.
That’s the goal this year given that I missed out on the last Olympic Games, the opportunity is here and I just have to get through the adversities and challenges of training.
“I’m thankful that this door opened again for me. I know the journey has been tough but God had his plans for me and I’m glad to be back in the Fiji 7s team, joining my brothers for the important year ahead,” Rasaku shared.
The former Lelean Memorial School student said getting a place in the squad to Paris would be tough.
“Preparations started from last year and even though we fell short in most tournaments last year, it did not impact the intensity of training.
“There’s a lot of competition within the playing group and the wider squad especially with the Pacific Games squad showing a lot of potential. No player has secured his place in the team which means I have to work twice as hard to book my seat in the team.” Fiji will compete in the Perth, Australia 7s tournament from January 26-28.
