THE hunt for the next generation of rugby players to represent Kadavu Rugby is underway at the Namalata School ground in Vunisea.

The Kadavu Rugby Union organised a three-day Southern Rally featuring teams from the four major tikina including Nabukelevu, Tavuki, Nakasaleka and Naceva.

Two pools comprising of four teams each make up the senior men’s division while the under-19 grade sees only four teams making up the lone pool with the top two to commence straight to the semi-finals.

“We have organised the southern rally to pull in players to play in this platform which will enable us to select our extended squad of sixty players which we will train for the Vanua competition coming up in January.

‘We have engaged our four tikina which through its sub-zones have fielded two senior teams and an U19 team. From the senior and U19 teams we will select our respective squad for the Vanua competition,” Kadavu Rugby Union vice-president Rusiate Wadali explained.

While it is Fiji Rugby requirement to have a pool of 60 players, the KRU will be selecting more which will eventually be trimmed as the new season is about to start.

“The registration is around 60 but since we have a large pool we are trying to rope in 80 to 120. It will be an extended squad which will be trimmed as training progresses.”

Wadali thanked the major support shown by the different villagers on the island and is expecting an even bigger crowd come the finals on Friday.

The rally started yesterday with the first round of pool matches.