TWO young players from the Eastern Saints Rugby Club are in Australia to represent Fiji at the upcoming International Tag Series (ITS), thanks to a rare opportunity offered by Australian Oztag.
Jordan Gucake and Josefa Mara were officially invited to be part of the Fiji Oztag team that will compete at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, from August 7-10.
The two departed Fiji on July 26 and are now training with the rest of the Fiji team, which is made up mostly of Australian-based players.
“This opportunity came through Luke Manahan, the general manager of Australian Oztag,” said one of the Eastern Saints coaches Mesake Nanovu.
“He was here in May to run clinics in Suva and that’s when he spotted some of our players.”
Nanovu said this is the first time players from Fiji have been officially invited by Australian Oztag to take part in such a high-level tournament.
He added that this was a major milestone as the sport is still new in the country.
“Oztag is in its early stages here. We’ve been in talks with the Fiji National Sports Commission to formally establish Fiji Tag as a national body,” he said.
“This is part of a pioneer development programme to build awareness and participation.”
Nanovu said the club is proud of the two players, who were part of the winning Eastern Saints Oztag team at last year’s Fijian Cup in Sigatoka.
“The boys were excited when they got the call. They’ll be great ambassadors for our club and for Fiji Oztag,” he said.
Four players are joining the Fiji side from here.
They are Jordan Gucake, Josefa Mara, Siteri Vocea and Salome Vonodra.
Nanovu encouraged young players to give Oztag a try.
“It’s fun, safe and teaches important rugby skills like running, evasion, passing and kicking.
“There are clubs here preparing for the Fijian Cup later this year. Join one and enjoy the game,” he said.
