WAME Ratuva and Tomasi Stark were the names rolling off of the tongues of rugby commentators, fans and supporters when they helped their team, the Yaro Chiefs, win the McDonald’s Coral Coast Fiji 7s last month.
Fast forward to Tuesday this week, the duo were part of the Fiji Airways Fiji men’s 7s extended squad training at Albert Park in Suva.
Ratuva hails from the village of Vunavutu in Nadroga, a few minutes away from Sigatoka Town and accessed via the Kulukulu Road while Stark was raised in Nasoqo on the island of Naviti in the Yasawa Group.
Ratuva mentioned how training with the national side was tough and the importance of getting selected was a greater aspect to work towards.
“Training and preparations have been tough and I know it’s not easy to try and get a spot in the national 7s team,” Ratuva shared.
“Training has been tough however what it also requires is just having the endurance and perseverance to continue.”
He was a happy man when he got the call to join the extended squad for training, and described his inclusion into it as testament to the way God continued to open new doors for him to walk through.
Meanwhile, Stark’s story of inclusion was an interesting one; he was at the Lautoka Wharf last Sunday when word was relayed to his father for him to join the camp.
At the time, he was preparing to board the boat to return home to Nasoqo, Naviti, Yasawa.
Meanwhile, the final squad is expected to be named shortly before the Vancouver 7s, which takes place from March 7-8.
