Fiji Airways Fiji 7s men’s forward Ponipate Loganimasi will make his return to competitive rugby at the 12th McDonald’s Fiji’s Coral Coast Sevens.
Loganimasi had been dealing with a long-term injury since last year which kept him out of the field for months.
He has been named in the Fiji Babaas team for the Coral Coast 7s alongside Pacific Games gold medallist Ropate Rere and Anare Tuitai, who played for Island Magic Daveta rugby.
Josua Vakurunabili leads the side as captain with World Cup 7s winning rover Kaminieli Rasaku as his vice-captain.
Fiji 7s head coach Ben Gollings said this tournament would serve as a selection platform for the upcoming Perth 7s later this month.
“Looking ahead to the next couple of weeks, it’s an exciting time for our program.
We played in Levuka where some of the players in our squad got some game time.
Fiji’s local rugby is tough and that’s the kind of test we want.
“Now we have the Coral Coast, we’re looking forward to the challenge, we want to be challenged, we want to be in a tough environment, and I think this tournament provides that.
“The Coral Coast is not going to be a walkover, we have Tabadamu in our pool and they do exceptionally well in local tournaments.
Every local team knows how to finish, and they raise their game which is fantastic.
“We want to give game time to players who need it, test out combinations and we look to finalise the squad for Perth,” Gollings explained.
The Fiji Babaas face SRS Tubarua Highlanders today in their opening match at 12.16pm at Sigatoka’s Lawaqa Park ground one.
Squad: Josua Vakurunabili (c), Joseva Talacolo, Jeremaia Matana, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Pilipo Bukayaro, Kaminieli Rasaku (vc), Roate Rere, Ponipate Loganimasi, Vuiviwa Naduvalo, Rauto Vakadrano, Are Tuitai, Suliano Volivolituevei, Terio Tamani and Josese Batirerega.
